1Paul having circumcised Timothy, and taken him for his companion, passeth through various countries, 9and is directed by a vision to go into Macedonia. 14He converteth Lydia, 16and casteth out a spirit of divination. 19He and Silas are whipped and imprisoned: 25the prison doors are thrown open by an earthquake at midnight; the jailor, prevented by Paul from killing himself, is converted: 35they are released by the magistrates.
1THEN came he to 1Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named 2Timotheus, the son of a certain 3woman, which was a Jewess, and 4believed; but his father was a 5Greek:
1 Of these cities see Acts 14:6.
2 Of this Timotheus see in more detail in Acts 17:14 and 19:22 and 20:4; Rom. 16:21; 1 Cor. 4:17; Philip. 2:19; 1 Thes. 3:2, and chiefly in 1 Tim. 1:2.
3 Namely, called Eunice. See of her, as also of his grandmother Lois, 2 Tim. 1:5.
4 That is, who was converted to the Christian faith.
5 Gr. of a father a Greek, that is, of Greek and pagan descent and religion, which was the cause that Timothy was not circumcised.
2Whicha was well 6reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
a Acts 6:3.
6 Namely, of godliness and proficiency in the Holy Scripture, 2 Tim. 3:15.
3Him would Paul have 7to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him 8becauseb of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was 9a Greek.
7 Or, to travel.
8 Namely, because the Jews, who were weak in the faith, would not reject his service because he was uncircumcised. For, they yet understood not that circumcision was now abolished, and was at an end. And thus Paul uses circumcision here as an indifferent thing, such as must always be used for edification of the weak and without offense, 1 Cor. 9:19. But since he had to do not with weak but with stiff-necked Jews, who pressed circumcision as yet needful to salvation, he would not for their sakes let Titus be circumcised. See Gal. 2:3.
b 1 Cor. 9:20; Gal. 2:3.
9 And that therefore Timothy, his son, was not circumcised.
4And as they went through the cities, they delivered them 10the decrees for to keep, thatc were 11ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
10 Gr. dogmata, that is, opinions, approbations; of which see Acts 15:20.
c Acts 15:20.
11 Gr. judged or determined.
5And so were the churches established in the 12faith, and increased in number daily.
12 Namely, as in special concerning Christian liberty and the use of the same, as well in general of all other points of faith.
6Now when they had gone throughout 13Phrygia and the region of 14Galatia, and were 15forbidden 16of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in 17Asia,
13 A region in Asia Minor, between Mysia, Galatia and Lycaonia.
14 A region in Asia Minor, whereof see Gal. 1:2.
15 Namely, before that time; for, afterwards Paul preached there the Word of God for about two years. See Acts 19:10, so the Holy Ghost prescribed the apostles what order they should keep in traveling and preaching the Word to one people first, and to another after.
16 That is, by an internal speaking of God by His Spirit.
17 This was the third part of the inhabited and then known world, whereof Europe and Africa were the two other parts; although it seems here to be taken for Asia Minor.
7After they were come to 18Mysia, they assayed to go into 19Bithynia: but 20the Spirit 21suffered them not.
18 A region in Asia Minor between Troas and Phrygia.
19 A region situated close to Troas over against Thracia, reaching to Pontus Euxinus, or the Black Sea.
20 Namely, of Jesus, which is added in many ancient copies.
21 See the annotation on the previous verse.
8And they passing by Mysia camed down to 22Troas.
d 2 Cor. 2:12.
22 By this name a whole region was called, where in former times old Troy stood, otherwise called Phrygia Minor, and also a city in the same region, which was also called Antigonia and Alexandria, of which is here spoken. See Acts 20:6; 2 Cor. 2:12; 2 Tim. 4:13.
9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into 23Macedonia, and 24help us.
23 This was a large region in Europe, between Epirus and Thracia, stretching itself on the one side to the Ægean Sea, now called Archipelago.
24 Namely, in respect of our souls by the preaching of the Gospel.
10And after he had seen the vision, immediately 25we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, 26assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
25 From which appears that Luke was then in the apostle’s company. See also Col. 4:14 and Philemon verse 24.
26 Of the significations of this word, see Acts 9:22.
11Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to 27Samothracia, and the next day to 28Neapolis;
27 An island in the Ægean Sea, close to the mainland of Thracia, so called because it was inhabited with inhabitants sprung partly out of Thracia and partly out of Samos.
28 A city situated on the borders of Thracia and Macedonia, not far from Philippi, over against the island Thasos.
12And from thence to 29Philippi, which is 30the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and 31a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
29 This city was formerly called Dathos, and afterwards named Philippi, by Philip king of Macedonia, who built up again the same, being in ruins. See Philip. 1:1.
30 Namely, as you sail from Samothrace to Macedonia.
31 The cities are called as such in Latin, which were either built by the Romans, or planted and stocked with Roman inhabitants to cultivate the land thereabouts and to secure the borders of the Roman Empire, from which the city Cologne has also yet her name. See verse 21.
13And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where 32prayer was wonte to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the 33women which resorted thither.
32 Namely, the common prayer of the Jews. Or, where there was a house of prayer, or synagogue of the Jews, and thereby it seems that the heathen would not permit this to the Jews in their city.
e accustomed*
33 Namely, Jewish women, the number of whom seems to have been there the most.
14¶And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, 34of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: 35whose heart the Lord opened, that she 36attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
34 Namely, by birth. This city was situated on the borders of the regions of Lydia and Mysia. See thereof in Rev. 2:18.
35 Namely, enlightening her understanding by the power of His Holy Spirit, and inclining her will to the obedience of faith.
36 Or, held herself to that which, etc.
15And when she was baptized, and her 37household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to 38the Lord, come into my house, and 39abide there. Andf she 40constrained us.
37 That is, her whole house.
38 Or, am believing on the Lord, namely, Christ.
39 That is, lodge there as long as you shall be here.
f Gen. 19:3; 33:11; Judges 19:21; Luke 24:29; Heb. 13:2.
40 Namely, with friendly entreating and pressing.
16¶And it came to pass, as we went 41to prayer, a certain 42damsel possessed with 43a spiritg of divination met us, which brought her masters muchh gain by soothsaying:i
41 That is, unto the place where prayer was made; or, to the house of prayer.
42 Gr. paidiske, which in general signifies a maid, Acts 12:13, but here a maidservant or bondmaid, for, mention is made of her masters, verse 19.
43 Gr. a spirit of Python, by which name the soothsaying spirit Apollo was called by the heathen, from the city Pytho, which afterward was called Delphi, where he had a temple and mostly practiced his soothsayings. And so all manner of soothsaying evil spirits are also called, which commonly gave answers to men who consulted with them, 1 Sam. 28:7.
g 1 Sam. 28:7.
h Acts 19:24.
i one who professes to foretell the future*
17The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, 44These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto 45us the way of salvation.
44 Although this unclean spirit said thereafter the truth, yet notwithstanding he intended to make the apostle’s doctrine suspect thereby. See the like in Mark 1:24; Luke 4:41.
45 Other, to you.
18And this did she many days. But Paul, 46being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come 47out of her. Andj he came out the same hour.
46 Or, being troubled, as for the misery of this maiden, as well for the deceitfulness of Satan whereby poor people were deceived. See also Mark 1:25.
47 Namely, of this maidservant.
j Mark 16:17.
19¶And when 48her masters saw that the hope of their gains 49was gone, they caughtk Paul and Silas, and drew them into 50the marketplace unto 51the rulers,
48 Whose slave she was.
49 Gr. was gone out; as it were with this unclean spirit.
k 2 Cor. 6:5.
50 Or, place of judgment.
51 These were called decurions in the colonies of the Romans.
20And brought them to 52the magistrates, saying, Thesel men, being 53Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
52 Gr. strategoi; who were called duumviri by the Romans, and had the highest authority in the colonies.
l 1 Kings 18:17; Acts 17:6.
53 The name of Jews was very much hated among the Gentiles.
21And teach 54customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
54 That is, manners to worship God, different ones which the Romans and Gentiles had.
22And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off 55their clothes, and commandedm56to beat them.
55 Namely, of the apostle and Silas.
m 2 Cor. 11:25; 1 Thes. 2:2.
56 Or, to strike them with rods.
23And when they had 57laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the 58jailor to keep them 59safely:
57 Or, given.
58 Gr. keeper of the prisoners; keeper of the stocks.
59 That is, in good safeguard, strictly.
24Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the 60stocks.
60 Gr. in the wood, namely, a wooden block or instrument in which the feet were shut.
25¶And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed,n and 61sang praises unto God: and 62the prisoners heard them.
n Acts 4:31.
61 Namely, being glad that they suffered for Christ’s name, Acts 5:41.
62 Namely, the other prisoners.
26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison 63were shaken: ando immediately all the doors were 64opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
63 Gr. shaken up and down; for a sign that God had heard the prayer of His servants, Acts 4:31.
o Acts 5:19; 12:7.
64 Namely, of themselves by the power of God.
27And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have 65killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
65 Namely, to escape a more cruel death, to which he feared he would be put, if the prisoners had gotten away.
28But Paul cried with a 66loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
66 That is, strong.
29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30And brought them 67out, and said, Sirs,p what must I do to be saved?
67 Namely, out of the inmost prison into his house.
p Luke 3:10; Acts 2:37; 9:6.
31And they said, Believeq on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and 68thy house.
q John 3:16, 36; 6:47; 1 John 5:10.
68 That is, household, your wife and children, as children of the covenant. See Acts 2:39.
32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33And he took them the same hour of the night, and 69washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
69 Namely, from the congealed blood caused by the scourging, to soften the wounds.
34And when he had brought them into his house, her set 70meat before them, and 71rejoiced, 72believing in God with all his house.
r Luke 5:29; 19:6.
70 Gr. a table; namely, with meat and drink.
71 See the like in Acts 8:39.
72 Gr. had believed.
35And when it was day, the magistrates sent 73the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
73 Gr. rod-bearers; thus the officers or messengers of the cities were called, because they went with staves, rods or twigs.
36And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
37But Paul said 74unto them, They have beaten us openly 75uncondemned, 76being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? 77nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
74 Namely, to the town officers.
75 That is, not only without guilt, but also without any form of legal proceedings.
76 Gr. Roman men, that is, having the right of citizens of Rome, who were not to be scourged. See Acts 22:25 and Valerius Maximus, lib. 4, cap. 1.
77 Namely, it shall not happen.
38And the serjeantss told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they 78heard that they were 79Romans.
s officer carrying a staff as symbol of office.
78 Or, because they heard.
79 Namely, whom they had caused to be scourged contrary to the right of the citizens of Rome, verse 37.
39And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desiredtthem to depart 80out of the city.
t Mat. 8:34.
80 Namely, that no new uproar might be raised up against them.
40And they went out of the prison, and entered into 81the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, 82they 83comforted them, and departed.
81 See verses 14 and 15.
82 Namely, Paul and Silas.
83 Namely, against the scandal of this disgrace done to them.