Acts 19

I while Apollos was at Corinth. Apollos remained a considerable time at Corinth; but he returned and joined Paul at Ephesus before the First Epistle to the Corinthians was written: see 1 Cor. xvi. 12.

upper coasts (country). The upper districts are the elevated regions in the interior of Asia Minor, as Galatia and Phrygia.

certain disciples. Disciples of Christ (as the word always means when used alone), but imperfectly instructed. Perceiving how little they knew of the gospel, Paul asks, “Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed?” They reply, “Nay, but we did not even hear whether the Holy Ghost is,” i.e., is already given (see John vii. 39). His existence and future manifestation were taught to such as received John’s baptism (see Matt. iii. 11); but only those who knew the events subsequent to our Lord’s ascension were aware of the actual manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

3. Unto (Into) John’s baptism. That is, into the profession of what John’s baptism indicated; repentance for the remission of sins, and faith in the coming of the Messiah.

5 in the name. Rather, “into the name”; i.e., into the belief and acknowledgment of the Lord Jesus.

6 the Holy Ghost. See ii. 4; viii. 17; x. 44-46, and notes.

9 that way. Lit., “the Way” (R.V.): see note on ix. 2.

before the multitude. “Before the congregation,” i.e., in the synagogue. The violent opposition of the Jews rendering all further efforts in that place useless, Paul formally withdrew the Christian disciples, and formed a separate society (ep. xviii. 6, 7) “in the school of Tyrannus”; probably a Greek sophist or rhetorician.

10 two years. This probably means for two years after he left the synagogue. Paul remained at Ephesus three years, and formed a large church (xx. 28, 31), supporting himself, and partly also his companions, by his own manual labour (see xx. 34; 1 Cor. iv. 12). During this time he wrote his FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS (see 1 Cor. xvi. 8); and possibly paid a visit to Corinth, his second (see 2 Cor. xii. 14; xiii. 1).

Asia. Ephesus, as the capital of the province, was a centre from which the gospel could well be carried to the inland cities. The “Seven Churches of Asia,” addressed in Rev. i.-iii., were probably founded at this time.

11 special (no ordinary) miracles. Miracles (Greek, powers) performed (like those in ch. v. 15) upon great numbers, and without the apostle’s personal presence. These “signs of an apostle,” by which Paul’s commission was attested (2 Cor. xii. 12), were particularly adapted to his position at Ephesus in the face of magicians; like that of Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh.

12 evil spirits. “Evil spirits” are here plainly distinguished from diseases.

13 vagabond Jews, exorcists. Rather, “itinerant (R.V., ‘strolling’) Jewish exorcists,” who were very numerous at this period: see Matt. xii. 27, and note. Simon the Samaritan, and Elymas, were of the same class (viii. 9; xiii. 6). The exorcists, seeing Paul’s success, used the name which they saw him employ with so great effect.

14 chief of the priests. Or, “a chief priest,” R.V. (see note, Matt. ii. 4). The Aaronic priesthood must have been very degraded, when some of its leading members were travelling exorcists.

15. Jesus I know, and Paul I know. “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about.”

16 overcame them. The var. read., adopted by R.V., implies that only two of the seven brothers were concerned in this attempt.

naked. See note on Mark xiv. 51.

18 that believed. Rather, “that had believed,” R.V. Even after conversion some appear to have continued to be the dupes of persons who practised “occult arts” (19). They “declare” their “deeds,” i.e., the superstitious practices which they now see to have been inconsistent with the Christian profession.

19 books. Treatises on magic and astrology, and collections of rules or formulas of incantation. The converts showed their sincerity by burning those instruments of wickedness, instead of selling them.

fifty thousand pieces of silver. That is, 50,000 drachmas or denarii, worth altogether about £2,000; and in purchasing power, much more. All books, being in manuscript, were dear at that time, and books of this class were dearer than others.

20. So mightily grew, etc. See notes on Rom. xv. 23, 25. Respecting a supposed visit of Paul to Corinth at this time, see notes on 2 Cor. xii. 14.

22. So he sent into Macedonia, etc. Timothy was to go on, if he could, to Corinth: see 1 Cor. xvi. 10, and note. Erastus is perhaps the person who is mentioned in Rom. xvi. 23.

but he himself stayed, etc. See 1 Cor. xvi. 8, and note.

23 that Way. “The Way”: see ix 2, and note. 24 shrines for Diana. Lit., “temples of Artemis,” the Greek goddess corresponding most nearly to Diana of the Romans. The Ephesian Artemis, however, was an Asiatic rather than a Greek or Roman goddess. These small models of the temple and image were used for private worship, or worn on the person as charms.

25 that they be no gods, etc. Although images are employed professedly as media of worship, the mass of the people, and even some of the educated, soon come to regard them as the objects of worship. That Paul had made no open attack on the divinities of the place is evident from ver. 37; but he had doubtless spoken at Ephesus to the same effect as at Athens (xvii. 29); and those who felt or feared the diminution of their profits, by the giving up of idolatry, laid hold of such expressions.

27 our craft. A plea of self-interest cunningly associated with the appeal to religious fanaticism.

be set at nought. Lit., “be made of no account.” whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. This was no extravagant boast: for this temple had been built at the joint expense of many cities; it was accounted one of the wonders of the world, surpassing all other heathen temples in wealth and magnificence; and it was the resort of worshippers from all parts of the known world. Mr. Wood’s discoveries at Ephesus “have amply vindicated the historic character” of the Acts on this point (Stokes).

29. Gaius and Aristarchus. Aristarchus, who was a Thessalonian, is mentioned in xx. 4; xxvii. 2; and probably in Col. iv. 10, and Philem. 24. Gaius (or Caius, a very common name) is probably different from both of those so named in xx. 4, and Rom. xvi. 23.

the theatre. The Greek theatres were large unroofed enclosures, with tiers of stone seats rising one above another; and they were used for all great assemblies. Existing ruins show that the theatre at Ephesus was a vast edifice.

31 the chief of Asia. Rather, Asiarchs; officers annually elected by the cities of the province from the highest and wealthiest class in the community, to preside over the religious festivals and public games, which these officers provided at their own expense. They retained the title for life. Some of these persons, without being Christians, were evidently well disposed towards the apostle.

33. And they drew Alexander, etc. Or, “And out of the crowd they drew forth Alexander, the Jews pushing him on.” He seems to have been an unconverted Jew, put forward by his co-religionists to disclaim on their part any participation in Paul’s proceedings. Some think that this was “Alexander the coppersmith” (1 Tim. i. 20; 2 Tim. iv. 14); but it is doubtful, as the name was very common.

34 a Jew. And therefore an enemy to all image worship.

35 the townclerk. This public officer was a magistrate of great authority, ranking next to the governor of the city. His original duty was to record and preserve the public acts and laws. He also presided over the public assemblies. He soon “stilled the mob,” first soothing and flattering them, and then working upon their fears, until he had prepared them to separate quietly; when he “dissolved the meeting.”

worshipper. Lit., “guardian of the temple”; a title which was deemed very honourable, and is found upon ancient Ephesian coins.

which fell down from Jupiter (Gr. Zeus). By such legends many other images have been similarly invested with peculiar sanctity.

37 robbers of churches. “Of temples.”

38 the law is open, etc. Rather, “Court days are kept, and there are proconsuls; let them (the accusers and the accused) plead against one another.”

40 in danger. The Romans jealously watched all riotous proceedings in cities which retained any of their old rights.

them," as R.V., implying conversation and discussion.