Vincent's Word Studies After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. Of Nazareth (ὁ Ναζωραῖος)
Lit., the Nazarene. Not mentioned in ch. 9. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. Heard not (οὐκ ἤκουσαν)
The verb is to be taken in the sense of understood, as Mark 4:33; 1 Corinthians 14:2, which explains the apparent discrepancy with Acts 9:7. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. For the glory of that light
The cause of his blindness is not stated in ch. 9. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. A devout man, etc
In Acts 9:10, he is called a disciple. Paul here "affirms that he was not introduced to Christianity by an opponent of Judaism, but by a strict Jew" (Gloag). And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. Stood (ἐπιστὰς)
More correctly, as Rev., "standing by (ἐπί)." Receive thy sight (ἀνάβλεψον) Better, look up. See the following words: I looked up upon him. The word admits of both translations, to look up and to recover sight. I looked up upon him Some unite both meanings here: I looked up with recovered sight. So Rev., in margin. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. The God of our fathers - Just One
A conciliatory touch in Paul's speech, mentioning both God and Christ by their Jewish names. Compare Acts 3:14; Acts 7:52. Hath chosen (προεχειρίσατο) See on Acts 3:20. Better, as Rev., appointed. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: All men
He keeps back the offensive word Gentiles (Acts 9:15). For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. Wash away (ἀπόλουσαι)
See on Acts 16:33. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. I was in a trance (γενέσθαι με ἐν ἐκστάσει)
Rev., more correctly, I fell into a trance; the verb meaning to become, rather than the simple to be. On trance, see note on astonishment, Mark 5:42; and compare note on Acts 10:10. And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: Martyr
Better, as Rev., witness. The special sense of the word was probably not in use at this time. See on Acts 1:22. It occurs, however, in Revelation 2:13; Revelation 17:6. Standing by See on Acts 22:13. Consenting (συνευδοκῶν) See on allow, Luke 11:48; and compare Acts 8:1. Slew See on Luke 23:32. But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. Gentiles
"The fatal word, which hitherto he had carefully avoided, but which it was impossible for him to avoid any longer, was enough....The word 'Gentiles,' confirming all their worst suspicions, fell like a spark on the inflammable mass of their fanaticism" (Farrar, "Life and Work of Paul"). And he drave them from the judgment seat. They gave him audience (ἤκουον)
The imperfect. Up to this word they were listening. Lifted up their voice, etc "Then began one of the most odious and despicable spectacles which the world can witness, the spectacle of an oriental mob, hideous with impotent rage, howling, yelling, cursing, gnashing their teeth, flinging about their arms, waving and tossing their blue and red robes, casting dust into the air by handfuls, with all the furious gesticulations of an uncontrolled fanaticism" (Farrar). Hackett cites Sir John Chardin ("Travels into Persia and the East Indies") as saying that it is common for the peasants in Persia, when they have a complaint to lay before their governors, to repair to them by hundreds or a thousand at once. They place themselves near the gate of the palace, where they suppose they are most likely to be seen and heard, and there set up a horrid outcry, rend their garments, and throw dust into the air, at the same time demanding justice. Compare 2 Samuel 16:13. Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.
And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. Examined (ἀνετάζεσθαι)
Only here and Acts 22:29. Not found in classical Greek. Apocrypha, Susanna, ver. 14. By scourging (μάστιξιν) Lit., with scourges. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. Bound him with thongs (προέτειναν αὐτὸν τοῖς ἱμᾶσιν)
Against the rendering of the A. V. is the word προέειναν, they stretched forward, in allusion to the position of the victim for scourging, and the article with thongs; "the thongs," with reference to some well-known instrument. If the words referred simply to binding him, with thongs would be superfluous. It is better, therefore, to take thongs as referring to the scourge, consisting of one or more lashes or cords, a sense in which it occurs in classical Greek, and to render stretched him out for (or before) the thongs. The word is used elsewhere in the New Testament of a shoe-latchet (Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16; John 1:27). Roman See on Acts 16:37. When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. Sum (κεφαλαίου)
Lit., capital. The purchase of Roman citizenship was an investment. Under the first Roman emperors it was obtained only at large cost and with great difficulty; later, it was sold for a trifle. I was free-born (ἐγὼ καὶ γεγέννημαι) Lit., I am even so born, leaving the mind to supply free or a Roman. Better, as Rev., I am a Roman born. And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. Brought Paul down
To the meeting-place of the Sanhedrim: probably not their usual place of assembly, which lay within the wall of partition, which Lysias and his soldiers would not have been allowed to pass. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. Earnestly beholding
See on Luke 4:20. Some, who hold that Paul's eyesight was defective, explain this steadfast look in connection with his imperfect vision. Men and brethren He addresses the Sanhedrim as an equal. I have lived (πεπολίτευμαι) Lit., have lived as a citizen, with special reference to the charge against him that he taught men against the law and the temple. He means that he has lived as a true and loyal Jew. Conscience (συνειδήσει) See on 1 Peter 3:16. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Ananias
He is described as a revengeful and rapacious tyrant. We are told that he reduced the inferior priests almost to starvation by defrauding them of their tithes, and sent his creatures to the threshing-floors with bludgeons to seize the tithes by force. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: Shall smite thee (τύπτειν σε μέλλει)
More strictly, is about to smite. The words are not an imprecation, but a prophecy of punishment for his violent dealing. According to Josephus, in the attack of the Sicarii upon Jerusalem, he was dragged from his hiding-place, in a sewer of the palace, and murdered by assassins. Thou whited wall Compare Matthew 23:27. Contrary to the law (παρανομῶν) A verb. Lit., transgressing the law. For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. Revilest (λοιδορεῖς) The word signifies vehement abuse, scolding, berating. Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]. Text Courtesy of Internet Sacred Texts Archive. Bible Apps.com |
