Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 16

THen came he to Derbe and Lystra: And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed▪ but his father was a Greek:

Of these Cities see Chap. 14.6.

Who was known unto Paul from his Childhood, 2 Tim. 1.5. and accompanied him in many Journies, 2 Tim. 3▪10. and is called by him, his work-fellow▪ Rom 16.21.

Called Eunice.

Being one of them that had believed in Christ in Iudea, and had a holy Woman to her Mother, named Lois. Altho it was not Lawful for a Iew to marry a Woman of another Nation, yet some think that a Iewess might marry to a stranger, as Esther married to Ahasuerus.

Of Gentile extraction, and therefore not Circumcised; yet he is accounted to have been a Proselyte.

Marginal references: Phil. 2.19. 1 Thess. 3.2.

2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and iconium.

Tho Timothy was well known unto Paul, yet ye would not Ordain him without the testimony of others concerning him, of his holy life, and knowledge in the Scripture, 2 Tim. 3.15. which he did excel in.

Marginal references: Chap. 6.3.

3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him, because of the Jews which were in those quarters: For they knew all that his father was a Greek.

Timothy was un [illegible: 1 letter]ircumcised, altho his Mother was a Iewess; for according [illegible: 1 word] their Thalmudists, the Mother could not cause her Child to be Circumcised against the mind of the Father.

Who could not yet be perswaded that the Law of Circumcision was abrogated. Paul who became all things to all Men (that he might save some) Circumcised Timothy that he might not offend the Iewish Converts, 1 Cor. 9.22. but would not Circumcise Titus, Gal. 2.3. lest that he should harden them, and offend the Gentiles. These indifferent things require a single Eye, to the Edifying of the Church, and the Salvation of Souls.

4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were [illegible: 1 letter]rdained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

The determination of the Councel, mentioned Chap. 15.20, 29.

By common consent, and not of one only, whosoever he were.

5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Being rightly perswaded in the nature and use of things indifferent; and in general, of things necessarily to be believed.

So that this visitation of the Churches had a double benefi[illegible: 1 letter]. First, It strengthned them that were already converted. Secondly, [illegible: 1 word] added more unto their number.

6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia, and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.

Phrygia and Galatia were parts of Asia minor.

They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost by some Revelation, (tho the manner is not known.)

For that time, tho afterwards Paul preached there about two Years together, Chap. 19.10. Thus God (the great Housholder) orders the Candle to be removed from one Room unto another; sends, or takes away the Light of the Gospel, to whom, and as often as he pleaseth. Our Calling, as well as our Election, is free; and we may say with our Saviour, Matth. 11.26. Even so Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.

7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

A little Country near Troas.

Another Province nigh unto the same place, over-against Thracia, bordering upon the black Sea.

The Spirit of Jesus, or of God, as some Copies read.

The Journyings of them that preached the Gospel, as well as their words, were directed by God; they might not say, Do, or Go, but according to the will of God.

8 And they passing by Mysia, came down to Troas.

Either the relicts of the famous City of Troy; or, the Country thereabouts, in which the City of Antigonia was built.

Marginal references: Chap. 20.[illegible: 1 letter]. 2 Cor. 2.12.

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

An Angel i[illegible: 1 letter] the appearance and likeness (in habit and demeanour) to one of that Country.

A Grecian Province in Europe, extending to the Archipelago.

As to our Souls with the saving Light of the Gospel; God sends the Ministers of the Gospel to help such as would otherwise perish; with the Gospel, Salvation comes.

10 And after he had seen the vision , immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering, that the Lord had called us for to preach the Gospel unto them.

As soon as Gods will was manifested, they make no delay, not objecting against the Journey.

St. Luke, the Penman of this Book was one of them that went, (the others were Paul, Silas, and Timotheus) and therefore speaks in the Plural Number.

11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

An Island so called, because the Inhabitants came partly out of Thrace, and partly from Samos.

This Neapolis was a City in the confines of Thrace and Macedonia.

12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

A City so called from Philip the Father of Alexander the Great, who repaired a ruined Town, and caused it to be called by his name.

Or the first City in the passage from Samothracia unto Macedonia.

Where many Roman Citizens went to inhabit; and whose Inhabitants had the freedom of the City of Rome. To the Church in this City Paul wrote an Epistle.

Marginal references: Or, the first city.

13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side , where prayer was wont to be made; and we sate down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

In those places where there were not enough to build a Synagogue, or could not obtain leave to do it, the Iews in those Countries chose more private places to meet in, which usually were near Rivers, or by the Sea-side, removed from the noise and observance of the Multitude; and these places were called Proseuches, from the Prayers which were usually made there; and to one of these, Paul and the rest went, taking that occasion to meet with them whom they might preach the Word of Life unto.

The Women are here named, as being more numerous in those Oratories, or such as most willingly heard and attended unto what was spoken.

Marginal references: Gr. Sabbath-day.

14 ¶ And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

So called from the Country of that name, she being born in Thyatira.

A City therein; and now lived with her Family at Philippi.

Being a Proselyte, and one of them who had left the Heathenish Idolatry, and owned the one, only, and true God; but as yet unacquainted with the Gospel of his Son our Saviour.

Hear[illegible: 1 letter], in Scripture-sense, signifies both the Understanding and the Will: thus with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, Rom. 10.10. Her understanding was enligh[illegible: 1 letter]ned, her heart changed; she now loved what she before hated, and hated what before she loved.

This was the Lords work: according unto what our Saviour himself had said, Iohn 6.37, 44▪ No man can come unto [illegible: 1 word] except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him. [illegible: 1 span] we may in a sense open our hearts, by using such means [illegible: 1 word] God hath promised to succeed for that purpose, Revel. 3.20. and especially when in a sense of our inability and necessity, we implore the free Grace of God, and engage him to work in us according unto all his good pleasure. Otherwise creating a clean heart within us, as 'tis called, Psal. 51.10. is beyond the power of Nature.

Hearing is an instructive sense, and Faith cometh by it, Rom. 10.17. but it must then be accompanied with attention.

15 And when she was baptized , and her houshold, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and abide [illegible: 1 letter]here. And she constrained u[illegible: 1 letter].

When Lydia had right to Baptism, by reason of her Faith in Jesus Christ, all her Family, whom she could undertake to bring up in the knowledg of Christ, were admitted to that Ordinance also; as all the Servants, and such other as were born in his House, or bought with his Mony, were Circumcised with Abraham, Gen. 17.12, 13. Now the Gospel does not contract in any respect, but enlarges the priviledges of Believers in all things. And if they might under the Law have their Children and Servants admitted into a Covenant with God (which could not but rejoyce Religious Patents and Masters, who value the Relation they and theirs have to God, above all Earthly things) surely under the Gospel none of our Families are excluded, unless they wilfully exclude themselves.

As the two Disciples that were going to Emaus constrained our Saviour, Luke 24.29. with all earnest intreaties, and loving violence.

Marginal references: Gen. 19.3. & 33.11. Judg. 19.21. Heb. 13.2.

16 ¶ And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel, possessed with a spirit of divination, met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

Towards the place where their publick Prayers was usually made.

Or, of Python, the name of Apollo, from the place where he was worshipped (which was afterwards called Delphi) and from whom all Evil spirits, that pretended to Divination, were called Pythons; as that the Woman made use of to delude Saul by, 1 Sam. 28.7.

Marginal references: Or, of Python.; Chap. 19.24.

17 The same followed Paul, and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation,

The Devil might be forced by God to confess this; or, he might do it voluntarily by Gods permission: First, To draw men on to believe him in other things, being he commended the Servants of God, and spake the truth in this. Secondly, That by flattering of St. Paul, he might puff him up, and occasion him to sin. But an Evil spirit (or an Evil man) when he dissembles as if he were good, is then worst of all.

18 And this she did many days. Bu[illegible: 1 letter] Paul being grieved, turned and said to the spirit , I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

St. Paul was grieved; either, for the Maids sake, who suffered so much by her being possessed with this spirit; or, for their sakes who were seduced by him.

St. Paul (as our Saviour had done, Mark 1.25.) refuseth the testimony of the Devil; for he being the Father of Lyes, Ioh. 8.44. makes every thing he says to be suspected▪ as 'tis an usual punishment of Lyars, that they are not believed when they speak the truth; and the Devil never speaks any truth, but with an intention to deceive.

By the Authority and Power of Christ.

Marginal references: Mark 16.17.

19 ¶ And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the market-place, unto the rulers.

For she was a servant, or slave; and being very advantageous, might have many that had a share in h[illegible: 1 letter]r.

The profit could not but be considerable, for they were to come with the rewards of divination in their hands; as they did to Balaam, Numb. 22.7.

See the next Verse.

Marginal references: Or, Court.

20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

The same who are called Rulers: and the word here shews, that they were under the power of the Sword, and ruled by the Romans; tho the Rulers spoken of in the former Verse, might be the Civi[illegible: 1 letter] Magistrates of the City, and the Magistrates here mentioned might be the Commanders of the Forces therein; they carried them, as they did our Saviour, from one [illegible: 1 word] the other, the more to disgrace them, and to obtain the greater punishment for them.

They mention their being Iews, because it was a most odious name unto all Men, by reason of their different Opinions in Religion, and diversity of manners in conversation from all.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 18.17. Chap. 17.6.

21 And teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

There was at Philippi, as appears, Verse. 12. a Colony of the Romans, and they were governed by their Laws, by which they might make no innovation in Religion, without the consent of the Senate, and afterwards of their Emperors; which here these persecutors alledge.

22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

Generality, and Unanimity alone, cannot Authorize Opinions or Practises.

Pauls and Silas's Clothes▪ to disgrace them the more, or in order unto their being scourged, tho some think that the Magistrates rent their own Clothes in detestation of the pretended Blasphemy which was laid to Pauls charge; as the High Priest did, Mark 14.63.

Marginal references: 2 Cor. 11.25. 1 Thess. 2.2.

23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the Jaylor to keep them safely.

Partly, by the Lictors or Executioners; and partly, by the furious Rabble.

This Jaylor (of whose Conversion we read hereafter) his name was Stephanas, as may appear if you compare 1 Cor. 1.16. with what follows by St. Luke in this Story. Of him also we read, 1 Cor. 16.15, 17.

24 Who having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Thus they dealt with Ioseph, Gen. 39.20. compared with Psal. 105.18. and with Ieremiah, and with Iohn Baptist. Sanctorum sors est, & non moleste ferenda.

25 ¶ And at mid-night Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prison[illegible: 3 letters] heard them.

No time or place where Prayer is not accepta[illegible: 2 letters]e unto God, and prevalent with him: nay, it sounds the sweeter when on the Waters of affliction a good Man pours it forth unto God.

That they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ: And being all things are over-ruled for the [illegible: 1 word] and conduce to the advantage of them tha[illegible: 1 letter] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 letter]od, Rom. 8.28. they owe unto God thanks for all things through Jesus Christ; which is also required of them, Ephesians 5.20.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every ones bands were loosed.

How soon is Prayer answered, when the fulness of time is come? So nigh is God unto all that call upon him, Psal. 34.17. & 145.18.

An Earthquake did usually precede some wonderful matter; as Matth. 28.2. And altho God could have delivered these his Servants without an Earthquake; yet to shew the more that their deliverance was his Work, and it was no artifice, or force of their own, he manifested his Power after this manner.

Either, by the Earthquake, or some secret power of an Angel, or by God himself immediately, that the Apostles and others might know, that the Souls of Men should be unloosed and set free by them, whose Bodies for that purpose were now freed by God.

Marginal references: Chap. 4.31.; Chap. 5.19. & 12.7.

27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison-doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

By the Earthquake, which being upon an extraordinary occasion, could not fail to do all that God intended by it.

For fear of suffering a more cruel death: for all Jaylors, who let any Prisoner escape, were to suffer the same punishment that the Prisoners were thought to have deserved; and self-murder was very ordinary amongst both the Romans and Grecians. But whatsoever their Philosophers have said of it, it must needs have been a very great provocation against God, to shew so great an aversion from Gods Will, disposing of them and their concerns in this World, and challenging or daring of him to do worse by them in the Wo[illegible: 3 letters] [illegible: 1 letter]o come. Men must have sad comforts, and take [illegible: 1 span] resolutions, that come to this once.

28 But Paul cryed with a loud voice, saying, Do thy [illegible: 1 letter]elf no h[illegible: 1 letter]rm? for we are all here.

The other Prisoners were smitten with amazement; neither did they mind (or it might have been kept from them) that the doors were opened, and their chains loosed: but as for the Apostles, the same God who wrought this deliverance for them, might inform them of the intent of it; that by this means the conversion of the Jaylor and his family was intended; and that their Doctrine might be magnified, which had been so much vilified.

29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas;

Or lights, which Prisons are not usually without.

What a suddain and great change can God make? He comes trembling to those feet which he had put into the Stocks so lately.

By which he would only give a civil respect unto them, it being an ordinary Rite amongst the Eastern Nations (as endless Examples in Scripture-witness) to pay their Respects: and from them it spread its self into Greece: which Respect Paul and Silas do not refuse, because it was barely civil, and did shew the humility and brokenness of the Jaylors heart. Yet Peter would not accept of the like from Cornelius, Chap. 10.25, 26. because it was more than a bare civil Respect which Cornelius would have given him.

30 And brought them out, and said , Sirs , what must I do to be saved?

Into his own apartment in the prison, or to some more open and free place.

A term of respect given by the Romans and Grecians to such whom they honour'd, as now the Jaylor did these seemingly most contemptible men.

He might have some knowledg of a future state, which he here enquires after, 1. By the very light of Nature. 2. Tradition. 3. The Doctrine of the Philosophers. 4. By his frequenting with Iews and Proselytes. Men under fears, and in dangers, as to the things of this world, are brought to look after another world (as every one prays in a storm): but this is onely when God is pleased to sanctify such fears and disasters; otherwise all the plagues of Egypt do but harden them the more, Exod. 7.3.

Marginal references: Luke 3.10. Chap. 2.37. and 9.6.

31 And they said , Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved , and thy house.

This is the sum of the Gospel. Christ apprehended by faith, serves for Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption, as 1 Cor. 1.30. But then this precious Faith must be such as works by love, as purifies the heart, Chap. 15.9. as overcomes the world, [illegible: 1 letter] John 5.4. as quenches the fiery darts of the devil, Eph. 6.16. and is deservedly called, a most holy faith, Jude 20.

Thou shalt by this means come to obtain that life thou dost so much desire after; and not only thy self, but (God that gives more than we ask) thy children and family shall be saved; in as much as the Covenant, where it is entred into, is not only with them, but with their children.

Marginal references: John 3.16, 36. and 6.47. 1 John 5.10.

32 And th[illegible: 1 letter]y sp[illegible: 1 letter]ke unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

Expounding more at large that which they had briefly propounded in the foregoing verse, as concerning the Natures and Offices of Christ; especially his suffering for our sins, and rising again for our justification.

Their fellow Prisoners not exempted, unto whom it was a joyful confinement, being by this means made God's Freemen.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night , and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

He did not delay to shew forth the fruits of his faith, and real conversion.

Which his stripes had made, using such means as might asswage their pain, and heal their wounds.

See on, ver. 15. and 32. Of Baptism administred without any delay, upon their profession of Faith in Christ, we have had Examples, Chap. 8.38. and 10.47. and in the 15th verse of this Chapter.

34 And when he had brought them into his house , he set meat before them, and r[illegible: 1 letter]joiced, believing in God with all his house.

Which was close unto, or a separate part of the Prison, into which they did ascend, heing before in a low Dungeon.

Paul and Silas had been long fasting; and in any season of the night it was a mercy to them to have a Table spread for them.

Finding the effects of his faith, peace with God, and joy in the Holy Ghost; which was not a little augmented, in that he had his Family admitted into the Cove[illegible: 1 letter]ant of God's Grace, they also believing, and being baptized.

Marginal references: Luke 5.29. and 19.6.

35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants , saying, Let those men go.

Their Messengers, or Officers, which did carry a Mace, or a Rod, from whence they had their name.

Probably being terrified with the Earthquake, which if it had not been general, they could not yet have heard of. Their consciences might also accuse them for having unjustly punish'd them for a good deed which they had done, only to gratifie the rage of the multitude; a[illegible: 1 letter] [illegible: 2 letters]so because they had acted against the custom of the [illegible: 1 span] tho they did not yet know that they had the [illegible: 1 span] Roman Citizens), and had beaten strangers without any legal trial, or form of Law.

36 And 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.

Being glad that he might release them. Neither does he bid them go, as desirous to be rid of them; but not requiring any fees, he lets them go to preach the Gospel, and fulfil their Ministry, with his prayers and well-wishes.

37 But Paul said unto them , They have beaten us openly uncondemned , being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily, but let them come themselves, and fetch us out.

The Officers who were sent to the prison with the message about their liberty.

The Magistrates who commanded them to be beaten, are justly charged with the beating of them; as if they had themselves done it.

It was no small aggravation of their injustice, and these holy mens sufferings, that they had, for the greater spite unto them, openly scourged them.

For they were not tried, or permitted to speak for themselves.

Having the priviledg of Roman Citizens; which was sometimes given to whole Communities. Now such by their Laws might not be bound, much less beaten (and least of all uncondemn'd) without the consent of the Romans.

This the Apostle stands upon, not so much for his own, as for the Gospel's sake, that it might not be noised abroad, that the Preachers of it were wicked and vile men, and did deserve such ignominious punishment. Tho they were as innocent as doves, it became them also to be as wise as serpents.

Marginal references: Chap. 22.25.

38 And the sergeants told these words unto the magistrates, and they feared when they heard that they were Romans.

For the Romans (under whom these Magistrates were) made it by their Laws to be Treason thus to abuse any of their Citizens. God over-ruled their fear of man, for the deliverance of his servants.

39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

Two things the Magistrates had to desire of them, 1. That they would excuse the wrong done unto them, which they feared lest the Romans might revenge. 2. That to avoid further mischiefs (as they thought) they would leave the City. But the words here used do signifie also, that they comforted them, as well as besought, or exhorted them: Both by word and deed they sought to make amends for the injury they had offer'd unto them; and desired them to depart for their own safety, lest the people should express their rage and madness more against them.

Marginal references: Mat. 8.34.

40 And they went out of the prison, and entred into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they com[illegible: 1 letter]orted them, and departed.

In respect of the tribulation they had endured, and were still to endure, or exhorted them to prepare for suffering▪ and to submit unto God in it, and to make an holy use of it.

Of whom, ver. 14. They do not shun dangers, so as to neglect their duty.