Acts 18

AFter these thing, Paul departed from Athens, and came to 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. Corinth;

And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born A Country between Cappad cia and the Black Sea, Acts 2.9. whither the Progenitors of A uila, in one of the dispersions, might flee from Iudea to inhabit there. 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. 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 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.

And because he was of the same 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 show 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. craft, he abode with them, and e rought (for by their occupation they were tent-makers) 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.

And he Or Argued and Disputed, giving his Reasons out of Scripture, and answering their Objections, reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and not only using cogent Arguments; but, as some understand the Verb, such as did prevail upon them. persuaded the Jews, and the 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. Greeks.

And when Silas and Timotheus According as was ordered by him, Chap. 17.14, 15. were come from Macedonia, Paul was 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. pressed in spirit, and testified unto the Jews, that Jesus was 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. Christ.

And when they opposed themselves, They blasphemed Paul, miscalling of him, but especially Christ, whose dishonour grieved Paul most. and blasphemed, he His upper Garment, as the ma 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. shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your b ood be 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. 1.4. upon your own heads; free from their blood, or the loss of their Souls, having warned them, and shown the way of Life unto them, Ezek. 33.4. He had blown the Trumpet, and warned the people. I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

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

And Crispus 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; the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house: and amongst whom are reckoned Gai s, Soshenes, 1 Cor. 1.1. and Ep netus, Rom. 16.5. many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed, and were baptized.

Then spake the Lord to Paul in As Chap. 16.9. it may be by an Angel. the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and '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. hold not thy peace:

For I am 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 illed, they were not hurt, Rom. 8.36, 38. with thee, and no man shall set on thee, to hurt thee: for I have 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. much people in this city, Christ, in this Vision, useth two Arguments to persuade Paul to continue Preaching the Gospel at Corinth; 1.

And he He sate there, as his fixt place; which implies his continuance and constancy in the work of the Ministry. coninued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

¶ And when This Gallio was Brother to that deservedly famous Seneca, (who was Tutor to Nero) and has 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. Gallio was the This man was Proconsul, deputy of Governing Achaia and all Greece absolutely; or with the power of a Consul. Achaia, the Jews made insurrection Wicked men in their evil deeds are unanimous for Satan knows that his kingdom would not stand, if it were once divided. with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgement-seat

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

And when Paul was now about to To make his Apology, and to speak in his own defence. open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of As Murther, Theft, or any such injury, which Judges do usually determine of. wrong, or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, 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. reason would that I should bear with you.

But if it be a question of Which have been spoken about the controversies of Religion; words and as whether Jesus was to be called Christ or the Messiah; and whether his Disciples might be called Christians. names, and Concerning Circumcision, as whether none may be saved without it. of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of He acknowledges his unfitness and unwillingness to determine such things as did not belong unto him, or he did not understand. such matters.

And he He commanded them to be gone, having dismissed their Case; and if need were, added threatning and force. drave them from the judgement-seat.

Then all the 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. Greeks took 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. So thenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgement-seat: And Gallio cared Either slighting the Iews and all their controversies, or prudently to decline intermedling with them. or none of those things.

¶ And Paul after this tarried there yet 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. a good while, and then took 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 oth together, viz. Rom. 16.3. 1 Cor. 16.19. 2 Tim. 4.19. the Wives name is twice placed first, to show, that in Christ Jesus there is neither Male nor Female, Gal. 3.28. his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla u and Aquila: having shorn his head in Which was a Town at the entring into the Haven belonging to Corinth, Rom. 16.1. Cenchrea: 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. for he had a vow.

And he came to 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. Ephesus, and lest That is, Aquila and Priscilla, at Ephesus, to confirm the believing Ephesians: whilst Paul, them there: but he himself entred 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. into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

When That is Aquila and Priscilla, whom Paul would not yield unto. they desired him to tarry longer time with them By Gods wonderful Providence (which over-rules all our inclinations) Paul having greater things to do and suffer for the Glory of God elsewhere. he consented not:

But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep 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. this feast that cometh, in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, 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. if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

And when he had landed at 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. Cesarea, and gone up and saluted the 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. church, he went down That Antioch that was in Syria. to Antioch.

And after he This work might take up the constant care and indefatigable pains of the Apostle. had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the countrey of Where he had Converted many. Galat a and Se Chap. 16.6. Phrygia in order, Tho the Seed be duly sown, yet it must be seasonably watered: and redit labor actus in orbem. strengthning all the disciples.

¶ And a certain Jew named Who is thught also to be called Apelles, Rom. 16.10. Apollos, born at His Parents having lived there. Alexandria, an 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. eloquent man, and In quoting, explaining, and urging of them. mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesu.

This man was Catechised, or taught, viva voce. instructed Christ, who has by his Precepts and Example taught us the way to happiness; in the way of the Lord; and being very zealous to promote Gods Glory, and mens Salvation, as Rom. 12.11. servent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, 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. knowing only the baptism of John.

And he began to speak boldly in the Synagogue. Whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them 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 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., and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

And when he was disposed to pass into To Corinth, which was in Achaia. Achaia, the Who were at Ephesus. brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him Who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through 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. grace.

For he With great constancy, perseverance, and enduring of opposition. mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, showing As Chap. 17.3. by the scriptures, that 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. Jesus was Christ.