Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 18

AFter these thing[illegible: 1 letter], Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

The Metropolis of Achaia, being a rich Sea-Town, and scituate in the very Isthmus which joyns Peloponesus unto Achaia, made a Roman Colony, and now flourishing with learned men. Here St. Paul gathered a famous Church, unto which he wrote two of his Epistles.

2 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.

A Country between Cappad[illegible: 1 letter]cia and the Black Sea, Acts 2.9. whither the Progenitors of A[illegible: 1 letter]uila, in one of the dispersions, might flee from Iudea to inhabit there.

The Roman Emperor, who, at the beginning of his Reign gave liberty to the Iews freely to exercise their Religion, but about eight years after took away that priviledge from them, which S[illegible: 1 letter]etonius makes mention of▪ tho very much mistaking the reason: With the Iews, 'tis thought that the Christians were banished too; for the Pagan Romans did not care to distinguish betwixt them, they both worshipping but one God, and agreeing in opposing their Idolatry.

Marginal references: Rom. 16.3. 1 Cor. 16.19.

3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and e [illegible: 1 letter]rought (for by their occupation they were tent-makers)

The most learned amongst the Iews did always learn some handy-craft, and it was one of those things which they held a Father was bound to do for his Child, viz. to teach him some Trade. And one of their Rabby's sayings is, That whosoever does not teach his Child a Trade, does as bad as if he did teach him to play the Thief. St. Paul wrought with his hands, not so much because as yet there was no Church there that could maintain him; but 1. because▪ he would not be burdensome unto them, they being, probably most mean persons that believed there, as appears, 1 Cor. 1.26. Or 2. That he might shew how that he did not covet theirs, but them; and to gain nothing but Souls amongst them. Yet he asserted his right, and the right of Ministers, by Divine appointment, to live of the Gospel, 1 Cor. 9.6, 11, 12.

Tents were used by Soldiers, and in those hot Countries by others also, being usually made of Skins sewn together to keep off the violence of the weather.

Marginal references: Chap. 20.34. 1 Cor. 4.12. 1 Thes. 2.9.

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and perswaded the Jews, and the Greeks.

Or Argued and Disputed, giving his Reasons out of Scripture, and answering their Objections,

not only using cogent Arguments; but, as some understand the Verb, such as did prevail upon them.

Not such as were of the Jewish race, and after the dispersion used the Scripture in the Greek Tongue; but such as were Gentile-Greeks, Greeks by descent.

5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in spirit, and testified unto the Jews, that Jesus was Christ.

According as was ordered by him, Chap. 17.14, 15.

More than ordinarily affected, the Spirit of God influencing his Spirit; so that he felt an anguish or pain at the heart (as 2 Cor. 2.4.) such was his grief for the contumacy of the Iews; so great was his desire that they might be saved.

1. The Christ, or Anointed, that excelled all other Christs or Anointed ones, being anointed with Oil above measure. 2. The Christ that was promised by the Prophets.

Marginal references: Or, is the Christ.

6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your b[illegible: 1 letter]ood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

They blasphemed Paul, miscalling of him, but especially Christ, whose dishonour grieved Paul most.

His upper Garment, as the ma[illegible: 1 letter]ner was, Matt. 26.65. that none of the dust of that place where such blasphemy was spoken, might stick unto him. See Chap. 13.51.

Or you are guilty of your own deaths and damnation, 2 Sam. 1.16. Matt. 27.25. Felo de se; this expression is borrowed from the Witnesses laying their hands on the head of the guilty person; or the Sacrificer's laying his hand on the head of the Beast which was to be slain, Exod. 29.10. Le[illegible: 1 letter]. 1.4.

free from their blood, or the loss of their Souls, having warned them, and shewn the way of Life unto them, Ezek. 33.4. He had blown the Trumpet, and warned the people.

Marginal references: Chap. 13.45.; Matth. 10.14.; Ezek. 3.18.

7 ¶ And he departed thence, and entred into a certain mans house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joyned hard to the synagogue.

Some read Titus, some both Titus and Iustus, making Iustus a sirname, as Acts 1.23. Col. 4.11. after the manner of the Romans.

Had forsaken the Polytheisme of the Heathen.

8 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.

There were several Rulers in a Synagogue, which we find frequent mention of, as Matth. 9.18. Mark 5.22. Their Office and place was to advise, and give order about the affairs of the Synagogue, that all things might be performed according to their prescribed Rules;

amongst whom are reckoned Gai[illegible: 1 letter]s, Soshenes, 1 Cor. 1.1. and Ep[illegible: 1 letter]netus, Rom. 16.5.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 1.14, [illegible: 1 letter]5.

9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

As Chap. 16.9. it may be by an Angel.

'Tis doubled again and again, as of greatest consequence, 1. To the Corinthians, whose Salvation by this means might be procured. 2. To Paul himself, whose Soul howsoever should be delivered, he having discharged his duty, Chap. 20.26, 27. The fierceness of the enemies of God, and his Truth, should kindle a greater fervour in his Servants for his Glory. Should Satan have better Servants than God? Should they dare for their Master, beyond what the Servants of God are willing to do or suffer for him? Isa. 62.1. Ier. 1.17, 18.

Marginal references: Chap. 23 11.

10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee, to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city,

Because he would be with him, to supply, support and deliver him; as 'tis promised to Ieremiah, Ier. 1.18. and to all the faithful Ministers of Christ, Matth. 28.20. This promise was fulfilled to Paul, and to other of Gods Servants, whatsoever troubles they met with, even when they were [illegible: 1 letter]illed, they were not hurt, Rom. 8.36, 38.

The other reason why Paul was commanded to tarry, was, because there were many that God would have called by his Ministry, and thus those who were not his people, God calleth his people, as Hosea 1.10. & 2.23.

Christ, in this Vision, useth two Arguments to perswade Paul to continue Preaching the Gospel at Corinth; 1.

11 And he coninued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

He sate there, as his fixt place; which implies his continuance and constancy in the work of the Ministry.

Marginal references: Gr. sat there.

12 ¶ And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgement-seat▪

This Gallio was Brother to that deservedly famous Seneca, (who was Tutor to Nero) and hath great commendations given him, as being a man of an excellent disposition, beloved by all men, an enemy to all vice, and especially a hater of flattery.

This man was Proconsul,

Governing Achaia and all Greece absolutely; or with the power of a Consul.

Wicked men in their evil deeds are unanimous▪ for Satan knows that his kingdom would not stand, if it were once divided.

13 Saying, This fellow perswadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

Of the Romans, who, to avoid tumults and confusions, did forbid any to set up any new worship without leave; and the Iews in these parts having here no power to punish St. Paul as they had at Ierusalem, maliciously incite the Governour against him: Or by the Law here may be meant the Law of Moses, which they accuse Paul to have broken, and so not to be comprehended in that license which they had to exercise their Religion.

14 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.

To make his Apology, and to speak in his own defence.

As Murther, Theft, or any such injury, which Judges do usually determine of.

I would endure any trouble to hear and understand it, I should think it my duty to suffer you to say as much as you would in your case.

Marginal references: Chap. 25.11.

15 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.

Which have been spoken about the controversies of Religion;

as whether Jesus was to be called Christ or the Messiah; and whether his Disciples might be called Christians.

Concerning Circumcision, as whether none may be saved without it.

He acknowledges his unfitness and unwillingness to determine such things as did not belong unto him, or he did not understand.

16 And he drave them from the judgement-seat.

He commanded them to be gone, having dismissed their Case; and if need were, added threatning and force.

17 Then all the Greeks took So[illegible: 1 letter]thenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgement-seat: And Gallio cared [illegible: 1 letter]or none of those things.

Not the converted Greeks, tho St. Austin thought they beat Sosthenes as an enemy to Paul (yet surely they had not so learned Christ) but the unbelieving or Gentile-Greeks, who cared for neither Paul, nor Iews, but favoured Gallio, who would have them driven away.

Some think him to have been the same with Crispus, Verse 8. others to have succeeded him in that Office: And some think that he was chief Ruler of another Synagogue (for in great Cities there might be more than one); and others, that there might be several called chief Rulers over one and the same Synagogue.

Either slighting the Iews and all their controversies, or prudently to decline intermedling with them.

18 ¶ 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 u and Aquila: having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

A year and an half in all, as some think, which is mentioned, verse 11. by a Prolepsis; or besides that year and an half there spoken of.

Ordering every thing as if he were to have taken his last farewel of them, as it fell out accordingly: Howsoever holy men live in a constant expectation of their dissolution. That the Wifes name is here put before the Husbands, have caused various conjectures; and 'tis observed, that in St. Paul's Epistles, whereas there are three times only mention of them [illegible: 1 letter]oth together, viz. Rom. 16.3. 1 Cor. 16.19. 2 Tim. 4.19. the Wives name is twice placed first, to shew, that in Christ Jesus there is neither Male nor Female, Gal. 3.28.

Which was a Town at the entring into the Haven belonging to Corinth, Rom. 16.1.

To wit, St. Paul had; and therefore had shaven his head according unto the Law, Numb. 6.18. To the Iews he became as a Iew.

Marginal references: Chap. 21.[illegible: 1 letter]4.

19 And he came to Ephesus, and lest them there: but he himself entred into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

The Metropolis of the lesser Asia, where afterwards that famous Church was, unto which St. Paul wrote an Epistle, as also St. Iohn wrote another, Rev. 2.1.

That is, Aquila and Priscilla, at Ephesus, to confirm the believing Ephesians: whilst Paul,

out of an extraordinary love for his Nation, although he had suffered all those indignities from them▪ yet he would give them precept upon precept, and line upon line.

20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them▪ he consented not:

That is Aquila and Priscilla, whom Paul would not yield unto.

By Gods wonderful Providence (which over-rules all our inclinations) Paul having greater things to do and suffer for the Glory of God elsewhere.

21 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.

The Feast of the Passover; which is meant where Feast is put absolutely, unless some after expression qualifies it: not that this holy Man did out of Conscience to the Feast, intend to observe it; for Christ is the end of the law to them that believe, Rom. 10.4. but because of the vast concourse from all places to Ierusalem at that time; which would give him an opportunity of making Christ known to such multitudes, and to gain their Souls unto him.

Tho he was an Apostle, and had the Spirit of Prophesie, and might know whether he should return or no; yet he does not absolutely promise them to return to them; but conditionally, if the Lord will, to teach us what caution we should use in all our Promises and Resolutions, as Iam. 4.15. being we know not what a day may bring forth. Besides, in our owning of Gods Will and Pleasure, we acknowledg a Providence of God in all things, especially in our concerns; which we desire to refer all unto.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 4.19. Heb. 6.3.

22 And when he had landed at Cesarea, and gone up and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

Not that Cesarea that was in Syria, but that which was in Palestine, called Cesarea Stratonis; and which was the safest way to Ierusalem; for the way by Ioppa, tho shorter, was accounted more dangerous.

Either the Church of Cesarea in his Journey, or that at Ierusalem at his Journeys end; which for its populousness might be called, eminently, The Church.

That Antioch that was in Syria.

23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the countrey of Galat[illegible: 1 letter]a and Phrygia in order, strengthning all the disciples.

This work might take up the constant care and indefatigable pains of the Apostle.

Where he had Converted many.

Se[illegible: 1 letter] Chap. 16.6.

Tho the Seed be duly sown, yet it must be seasonably watered: and redit labor actus in orbem.

24 ¶ And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesu[illegible: 1 letter].

Who is thught also to be called Apelles, Rom. 16.10.

His Parents having lived there.

A rational, ptudent, and learned Man. Tho the Kingdom of God is not in any excellency of Speech, 1 Cor. 2.1, 4. yet this Egyptian Jewel may be used to Adorn the Tabernacle.

In quoting, explaining, and urging of them.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 1.12.

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being servent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

Catechised, or taught, viva voce.

Christ, who hath by his Precepts and Example taught us the way to happiness;

very zealous to promote Gods Glory, and mens Salvation, as Rom. 12.11.

Who Baptised with Water, but could not Baptize with the Holy Ghost, Matth. 3.11. that is, they had not those extraordinary Gifts of the Holy Ghost which followed upon Baptism after that Christ was Ascended, and the Spirit poured out, Chap. 2.4. But Iohn was a preacher of repentance, and of faith in Christ, pointing at the Lamb of God; and he Baptized his Disciples into this Doctrine; which is the same with the Baptism and Belief of the Apostles afterwards. Only now they knew many things more fully than were revealed in the Baptists time.

Marginal references: Chap. 19.3.

26 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.

If we allow Priscilla to have contributed towards the Instruction of Apollos, as doubtless we may, it is certain it was only in private discourse; which being joyned with a [illegible: 1 letter]eek and humble behaviour, might be very effectual for the Conversion of Souls, 1 Pet. 3.1, 2. Thus Timothy was indebted for his knowledge in the things of God, to his Mother and Grand-mother, 2 Tim. 1.5. but otherwise it is not Lawful for a Woman to Teach, 1 Tim. 2.11, 12.

27 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.

To Corinth, which was in Achaia.

Who were at Ephesus.

Apollos helped them much by his Eloquence, Zeal, and Constancy; which all are the Gifts of God; but especially, that they believed, was through Grace; for Faith is the Gift of God, Eph. 2.8. and it was given unto them to believe, Phil. 1.29.

Marginal references: 1 Cor. 3.6.

28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures, that Jesus was Christ.

With great constancy, perseverance, and enduring of opposition.

As Chap. 17.3.

some think that Christ ought to be the Subject, and Jesus the Predicate: and then the sense is, That Christ is our Jesus or Saviour. The Messiah that was sent from God, is the Saviour of the World.

Marginal references: Or, is the Christ.