CHAPTER 20 PAUL'S CONTINUED MISSION JOURNEY

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Macedonia, Greece, Troas to Miletus And a Farewell to Ephesus

Introduction  Chapter 20: 1-12

"In the next 12 versus we will read of Paul proceeding with his mission in Macedonia and Greece.  It was time for Paul to once again return to Jerusalem to report to the mother church of all the things God had done on his journey. During Paul’s journey to Jerusalem, he made sure he stopped at Philippi and Troas. For a detailed report of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem and his mission trip, we must read his epistles." 

Paul in Macedonia and Greece

1  After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and when he had exhorted them and taken his leave of them, he left to go to Macedonia.

We can gather by the 1^st few words of this verse the crowd was not pleased with Paul’s decision to return to Jerusalem. They were undoubtedly feeling abandoned by Paul.  Paul seeing their feelings of abandonment, sent for his disciples to mentor the church.  Paul exhorted (G-parakalee) them.

The phrase he exhorted them was translate from the Greek word: parakaleo par-ak-al-eh'-o meaning; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):--beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray. 

2  When he had gone through those districts, and had given them much exhortation he came to Greece.

Matthew Henry writes -  ”He did not leave them abruptly and in a fright, but took leave of them solemnly: He called unto him the disciples, the principal persons of the congregation, and embraced them, took leave of them (saith the Syriac) with the kiss of love, according to the usage of the primitive church. Loving friends know not how well they love one another till they come to part, and then it appears how near they lay to one another's hearts.”

3  And there he spent 3 months, and when a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.

Paul visited the city of Corinth in the province of Macedonia.  We read in 2 Corinthians 10:1-8 2 Corinthians 10:11 , 13:1-10  how Paul anticipated difficult work in Corinth.  Paul did, however, expect success during his three-month stay.  Paul wrote his epistle to the Romans, while in Corinth.

               This epistle was hand carried by Phoebe (she was a lady of substance, and of high standing in the community), a Deaconess at the church at Cenchrea.  Paul had Jewish enemies; people sought him out to dispel his teachings and cause him physical harm much like he faced in Damascus( Acts 9:22-25 ).  Paul changed his plans and decided to return as he came, through Macedonia.                     Paul’s desire was to stay in Greece during the winter of A.D. 56 2 A.D. 57.  He may have stayed longer, if it were not for his concern that Titus had not returned from Corinth ( 1 Corinthians 16:1 1 Corinthians 16:2 , 2 Corinthians 8:6 ).  Paul was eager to hear how his 1^st epistle was received at court, and therefore was eager to see Titus once again.  

4  And he was accompanied by Sopater [SOP-uh-tuhr] of Berea ,the son of Pyrrhus [, and by Aristarchus [Ar•is•tar'chus ] and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.

Fearing that something may have gone wrong with Titus, he left his brethren at Troas, and journeyed into Macedonia.  The city that he visited in the Macedonia was probably Philippi, landing first at Nicopolis   2 Corinthians 11:9 .  Luke lists the Christian emissaries accompanying Paul to Jerusalem with monies donated to the Jerusalem church.  Sopater, Aristarchus and Secumdus represented the Christians in Macedonia.  Gaius, Tychicus and Trophimus represented the Christians in Asia.

Timothy of Lystra accompanied Paul to assist him.  5  but these had gone on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas.

    As Luke is the author of the book of acts, we can safely assume by the use of the word “us” that he accompanied Paul into Phillipi  (Acts 20:5) and then traveled with Paul to Troas.  These same men, listed in verse 4, proceeded Paul and Timothy in order to prepare the church there for the arrival of the apostle Paul.

    It would seem from this point on these same men made themselves available to Paul.  Refer to: ( Ephesians 6:21 Ephesians 6:22 , Colossians 4:7 Colossians 4:8 , Acts 21:29 , 2 Timothy 4:12 & 2 Timothy 4:20 ).

6  We sailed from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread [Passover], and came to them at Troas within five days; and there we stayed seven days. 

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The trip from Philippi Troas took longer than usual. Perhaps because of inclement weather and stronger than usual headwinds.  In acts 16:11 we read that this trip was made in just 2 days on a previous occasion.  The seven-day period in this verse would then have been Monday through the Sabbath, and also the Lord’s day (an additional time of worship in the church).

7  On the 1^st day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight.

The 1^st day of the week known as the Lord’s day was Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead.

 Sunday was set aside as a special day of worship honoring Lord Jesus.  For the people of this area. Sunday was a workday and so the service was conducted in the evening and lasted until midnight.

8  There were many lamps in the upper room, where we were gathered together.

The heat produced by these lamps and the number gathered in the upper room made the temperature quite warm, and may have cause sleepiness among the listeners.  The heat coupled with the smoke produced by the lamps made attentiveness of the listeners very difficult , as we will soon see reported in verse 9.

9  And there was a young man named Eutychus [YOO-tuh-kuhs]sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep; and as Paul kept talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the 3^rd floor and was picked up dead.

This young man was probably between the ages of 8 and 14.  The probable reason for the young man, sitting on the windowsill was to take advantage of the cool fresh air.  This young man/boy was obviously very tired. Perhaps from working that day.   I am sure this young man did not intentionally fall asleep, but rather was overtaken by sleep, due to the length of Paul’s sermon and the conditions of the upper room, this coupled with fatigue caused him to fall asleep.

10  But Paul went down and fell upon him, and after embracing him, he said, “do not be troubled, for his life is in him.

The word fell in this verse was translated from the Greek word:  epipipto ep-ee-pip’; to embrace (with affection) or seize (with more or less violence; literally or figuratively):--fall into (on, upon) lie on, press upon.

    It is believed that this window may have overlooked the street which had been paved with stone or perhaps the courtyard also may have been paved with  stone.  A two or three story fall could have easily killed the young man.  How was the young man revived? Could this be the first recorded act of resuscitation, or was this a miracle as we read in 2 Kings 4:34 .  

    I choose to believe this was a miracle. I believe this because of Paul’s many healings by the power of Jesus and because Jesus would be glorified.

11  When he had gone back up and had broken the bread and eaten, he talked with them a long while, until daybreak, and then left.

Breaking of bread here, just indicates the taking in of nourishment or repasts; not the breaking of  Eucharistic bread.  It was a Jewish custom to literally break bread before a meal.  This was a solemn yet a joyful gathering such as we see in Ecclesiastes 9:7.  Today we call a gathering such as this, as a time of Christian fellowship.

12  They took away the boy Allies, and were greatly comforted.
Troas to Miletus

Acts 20:13-38

Paul continues his journey to Jerusalem. Upon reaching Miletus [mi -LEE-tuhs], he sends for the elders at Ephesus to give them is farewell address.

13 But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos [As'sos], intending from there to take Paul on board; for so he had arranged it, intending himself to go by land.

Paul decided to take the land route which was shorter but would take a little longer while the rest of his followers journeyed by sea 40 miles to Miletus.  

    We cannot be sure why Paul decided to travel separately from his disciples to Miletus.

Perhaps he just wanted to have the solitude of being alone.

14  And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 15  sailing from there, we arrived the following day, opposite Chios; and the next day we crossed over to Samos; and the day following we came to Miletus. 16  For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

They visited some seaports during their journey.  But did not stop at Ephesus.  Perhaps they stopped to replenish food supplies and freshwater as well as visiting the churches established there.

    Why did Paul not want to stop at Ephesus?

Paul being in a hurry did not want to stop at Ephesus, hoping to make it to Jerusalem in time for Pentecost.  Paul had all ready lost 3 weeks of this seven-week journey to Jerusalem.

Farewell to Ephesus

17  from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.
Why did Paul send for the elders and not go their himself?

Miletus was approximately 30 miles south of Ephesus.  Perhaps it was an unfavorable wind which persuaded Paul to call for the elders as opposed to sailing himself.  The trip would have taken more time just to give the same message to the elders and these Christians in Miletus.  The elders also known as “presbyters”,  and were later referred to in this chapter as bishops see Acts 20:28.

18  And when they had come to him, he said to them, "you yourselves know from the 1st day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews;

Paul also reminded them in his letters to the churches Philippians 1:5; 4:15; Colossians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-15.

    Luke does not choose to elaborate on what trials. Paul faced during his ministry.  The words serving in verse 19, was translated from the Greek word  douleuo dool-yoo’ meaning; to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary):--be in bondage, (do) serve(-ice).

Paul likened himself as a bondservant to Jesus.  We also use the term bondservant to describe, our servitude to Jesus.

20  How I did not shrink from declaring to you. Anything that is profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of the repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

What did Paul mean when he used the word profitable?  

    The word profitable was translated from the Greek word sumphero soom-fer’ - meaning (including its alternate); to bear together (contribute), i.e. (literally) to collect, or (figuratively) to conduce; especially (neuter participle as a noun) advantage:--be better for, bring together, be expedient (for), be good, (be) profit(-able for).  Paul did not flinch in the face of adversity, and even the threat of physical harm, teaching all things which were important for them to know.

22  “And now, behold, bound by Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me. There, 23  except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.

Even though Paul being told by the Holy Spirit that he would face affliction and imprisonment, was bound, or convicted by that same Spirit (the Holy Spirit of Jesus) to continue with his journey to Jerusalem.

24  “but I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly on the gospel of the grace of God.

Basically what Paul said here is he puts  Jesus 1^st and what Jesus asks of him; and himself last.

25  “And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom they went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face.  26 therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of men. 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.

Paul was not giving a prediction or a prophecy as to his not seeing them again, but rather he was revealing his own feelings, that this would be the last time that he would see them.  Paul fully expected to be in imprisoned, and perhaps even executed.  Paul gives the crowd the disclaimer that he can no longer be held liable for those who heard and refused the gospel and Christ.  See also Acts 18:6

28  Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with his own blood.

 Paul was speaking mainly to the elders or as later called bishops of the church.  As leaders of the church sealed by the Holy Spirit, they would be held to a higher standard than those they were appointed over.  Paul was warning these leaders to make sure that their house was in order that they were right with God.  Paul calls the new church “church of God” because of its purchased price.

Paul emphasizes here that the new church, also known as “the way” was purchased by Jesus with His own blood, and therefore the church membership belong to Jesus (God).

29  I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

We see in this verse Paul using an analogy every one would be familiar with namely sheparding.

Paul using the analogy of the shepherd and initiate is warning both the church leaders and the congregants (the flock) of the dangers they will face.  As a shepherd guards his flock from the ravage of hungry wolves, so also must the overseers of the church keep a watchful eye and take great care to protect the flock from those who would cause dissension and false teachings which would bring evil into the church .

31  Therefore be on the alert, remembering it that night and day for a period of 3 years. I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.

Paul was telling them to be on the alert for spiritual attacks.  False teachers, wanting to make themselves appear to be important, would try to sway the flock to follow them and not follow Jesus.

History bears out that Paul was right. See Paul’s letter to Timothy and revelation 2:1 – 6.  

    Throughout history, even to modern times. There have been many people who have used the church and or scripture to serve their own purpose.  Bringing evil and corruption into the church, and causing many to be led astray.

32  And now I commend you  to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

This benediction was meant to console and to bolster the spiritual strength of the flock and its leaders.

Paul assures them that Jesus would be with them, and his Holy Spirit would guide and strengthen them until the time of their inheritance.  The inheritance spoken of here is a place in the family of God in his kingdom forever and ever.

33  I have coveted no one’s silver or gold, or clothes. 34   You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men were with me.

Paul admonishes leaders of this new church not to fall into the trap of seeking gold or riches or power that he himself sought neither of these things, but only lived by what his hands produced.

Paul served as a good example for them to follow you look after the poor and those that could not take care of themselves. The only money that he had was money he earned in his trade as a tent maker.  Paul quotes Jesus in the next verse

35  And everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner, you must help the week. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive’.”  

36 When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.  37 And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him,

They wept because Paul was more than just a teacher he would. He had become a true friend and was loved deeply.

38  Grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship.

Paul also must have felt a deep sadness but also knew that he must return to Jerusalem with haste.

CREDITS, LINKS, AND CITATION

[1] –scripture verses from Cross wire Study Bible

[2] -  commentaries by /Jamison-Fausset-brown

[3] – Commentaries By Marion Adams

[4] – Wikipedia.org - http://wikipedia.org
other resources used - www.biblestudy.org

ACTS CHAPTER 19 - PAUL AT EPHESUS

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Paul at Ephesus 1-3

“Paul having passed through the upper coasts--"parts," the interior of Asia Minor, which, with reference to the seacoast, was elevated.
came to Ephesus--thus fulfilling his promise ( Acts 18:21 ). finding certain disciples--in the same stage of Christian knowledge as Apollos at first, newly arrived, probably, and having had no communication as yet with the church at Ephesus.”[2]

1 It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

The presents of the Holy Spirit among the people was not obvious to Paul and therefore he asked if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed in Jesus.

Now these disciples were baptized but did not know of the Holy Spirit and did not receive Him.

This perplexed Paul and wondered how they could have been baptized and not receive the Holy Spirit.

We see Paul posing a question to the disciples as recorded in verse 3

Verses 3-4 “They had received *baptism from John or one of his disciples. Paul explained that this was not enough. They must follow Jesus now, not John. John’s baptism was to prepare for when Jesus came. Now Jesus had come. He had done his work on earth and he had returned to God, his Father. He had sent the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

3  And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

They were probably baptized by John the Baptist disciples, who called for their repentance and to await the one who would come after him who would baptize with fire (the Holy Spirit).

Paul told them the wait was over, the one John spoke of had come, paid the price on the cross, and rose again.

Paul knew these disciples were not complete and needed to be baptized into Jesus as we read in verse 5.

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.

These disciples were made whole Christians by being baptized a second time in the name of Jesus.

When raised out of the water the Holy Spirit came upon them and they were blessed with the gifts of tongues and prophesy.

In today’s world a person who confesses his/her faith and is baptized in their home church and then moves to another church does he/she need to be baptized again?

When a person is baptized in water today he/she is baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, not Just in the name of Jesus as they did in the New Way church.

Even though there are churches today who require you to be baptized again to be members there is no Biblical requirement for this practice.

 

7  There were in all about twelve men.  8  And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9  But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the the Way before the the people, he withdrew from them and took away the  disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.

Luke used an interesting choice of words.  He used “becoming hardened and disobedient” instead of saying they were hardened and disobedient.

The words Luke used leads me to believe the listeners hearts were being hardened perhaps by the Holy Spirit and they could not see the truth.

 These people became angered and began saying bad things about “The Way”.

Paul realizing any further reasoning would be futile gathered his flock and adjourned to another location.

10 This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. 

As Ephesus was a busy place of commerce as well as a place of worship.

Because of this Paul was able to speak to more than just residence of Ephesus.

Paul made Ephesus is headquarters believing God had opened a great door for him (1 Cor 16:9).

“…And thus Ephesus became the "ecclesiastical center for the entire region, as indeed it remained for a very long period" [BAUMGARTEN].

At the completion of the two years Paul believed that all in Asia had heard the word and he had done all he could do.

And therefore Paul said he was now innocent of guilt for those who had heard and refused the word (Acts 20:26).

11  God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.

Many believed as they did with Peter’s shadow (Acts 5:15), an article of personal clothing would heal the sick; and by their faith in Jesus their illnesses were healed.

Paul working as a tent maker, would have used outer covering to protect his clothing as well as what we might refer to as sweat bands.

These articles of clothing had no special powers. It was faith healed them.

Today, when the elders lay on hands and anoints a believer for healing, it is faith in the healing power of the Lord Jesus that accomplishes healing.

The oil nor the touch of hands in and by themselves have no healing powers.

13 But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.

These Jews were nomads, or wandering Jews, who “name over” ( coming from the Greek word onomazo on-om-ad'-zo meaning; to name, i.e. assign an appellation; by extension, to utter, mention, profess:--call, name.[4]

Jesus gave the authority to His disciples to cast out demons ( Mat 10:1 ).

The existence of such power would breed charlatans who would deceive the people.

I do not believe the Jews spoken of in this verse were authorized to use the name of Jesus or Paul; I say this because of the use of the phrase “attempted to name over”.

We will read how the evil spirits did not recognize these Jews as being authorized.

14 Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.  15  And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”

Notice here how Luke used the word “recognized” for Jesus and “know about” for Paul.

Demonic spirits knew Jesus as “the Son of God” (Mark 3:11.

However the “knew about Paul”, in that they knew that he had been given the power to exercise them.

The Roman Catholic church is very cautious exorcising evil from men or women who are possessed by evil spirits.

We will see what happened to these Jewish men who dared to use the power of Jesus without His authority.

16 And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

You may ask how can one man subdue and overpower to the extent stated in this verse.

We must remember the man did not do so with his own strength. He was under complete control of the evil spirits within him; who gave him super human power.

We can see the power of evil demonstrated in this verse.  We should take heed and remember without Jesus we have no power over evil.

17 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. 18 Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices.

They recognized the power of evil and were afraid.

They also saw in Paul the power of Jesus.

Which Paul used for the glorification of God; and they continued to magnify the name of Jesus.

Many people in Ephesus were practicing the black arts; even some of the new believers, as evident in the next verse.

After hearing what had happened they repented of their ways and graphically demonstrated their repentance V19.

19  And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20  So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing. 

In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 we see that God hates the practice of magic in any form.

Noticed here those who practiced magic did not try to sell their costly books, to recover the money they had spent on them, nor did they lament of the lost revenue.

They burned the books in public to further testify to their repentance.

This also served to prevent anyone else from using these books.

As a result of this action the  Lord grew in men hearts and more came to believe.

21  Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22  And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

It is apparent Paul was speaking to the Holy Spirit of Jesus asking Him to be allowed to first go to Jerusalem then to Rome.

Paul needed no one else's approval just his Lord, who was directing his path.

The Lord wanted Paul to go to Rome. 

Paul had no intention on staying in Rome very long, because he desired to go to Spain (Romans 15:24,28).

Paul did not want the new churches in Macedonia to be forgotten but wanted to encourage them.

 

23  About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way.  24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen;  25 these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business.

Demetrius a silversmith made images of the shrines, temples, and statues of the goddess Diana.

He would sell these as souvenirs to travelers to the region.

 “(The models of the chapel of our Lady of Loretto, and such like, which the Church of Rome systematically encourages, are such a palpable imitation of this heathen practice that it is no wonder it should be regarded by impartial judges as Christianity paganized). gain to the craftsmen--the master-artificers.”[3]

Here once again we see the desire for money standing in the “Way”.

26 “You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all.

Demetrius appealing to his fellow merchants solicits their support.

He was appealing to their bottom line.

 convincing them without the worship of their gods their business would suffer.

Some of the people worshiped the engraved images as gods while the more intelligent saw them as abodes of the gods.

27  “Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence.” 

A this time the temple of Diana built in approximately 550BC was considered one of the great wonders of the world.

It was constructed of only the finest while marble which must have been an amazing site for residents and travelers alike.

The temple was burned on the night of the Alexander’s birth about 356 B.C.

The temple was rebuilt and it is said to be even of more splendorous than the original with new costly trappings continually added.

This four hundred twenty five foot long and two hundred feet in width was amazing feet of engineering.

ARTIST DEPICTION OF THE TEMPLE OF DIANA ALSO KNOW AS THE TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS.

28  When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29  The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.

The Ephesians took great pride in the temple of Diana, even to the point of not inscribing Alexander’s name on it.

Demetrious had convinced them; they realized the  loss of the peoples belief in their gods would cost them their livelihood.

A mob had formed now and with a mob we have mob mentality which has been proven to be unjust in its actions.

They sought to stop Paul and his message by any means necessary. 

However they only could find Gaius and Aristarchus.

30  And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him.  31  Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.

The Asiarchs were wealthy men of great importance.

These men were chosen annually by the proconsul to preside over the games.

These games were celebrated in the month of May commemorating the vestal virgin.

Vestal Virgins( Latin: Vestales) were the priestesses of the Roman goddess of the hearth, Vesta, in the state religion of ancient Rome.” [ancient history encyclopedia]

It is said Paul had friends among them.

32  So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together.

This was an unscheduled meeting with no apparent cohesiveness.

Like in any mob there will be some who will go along with the mob and not have any idea what is really going on. 

33  Some of the crowd concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly. 34  But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for  about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!

“Verses 33-34 Paul was a *Jew. People in Ephesus knew that *Jews did not *worship Artemis. So, the *Jews were very worried.

They knew that the people were *pagans. But they wanted them to know that they opposed Paul too (but for different reasons).

They thought that the crowd might start to be angry with them because of Paul.

So, they chose Alexander to explain this.

But the crowd would not let Alexander speak.

Alexander was a *Jew. They knew that he did not *worship Artemis. They had become angry with everyone who did not respect the *goddess of their city. They were too angry to listen to anyone! They just shouted the same words again and again.” [3]

34  But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!

Their intent was not so much to honor their deity Diana, but rather to drown out any attempt Paul had of speaking.

Here again we see crowd mentality.

One common shared problem, fear or anger.

One mass solution, in this case to make much noise.

The result being the mob reached a near frenzied state of being.

 with an outcome such enthusiasm it took two hours to quieted the crowed.

35  After quieting the crowd, the town clerk *said, “men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven?

The size and calamity of the crowd would hardly go unnoticed by Rome.

It was necessary for the clerk (a person held in high esteem by the Ephesians) to keep and report an accurate record of the events and also what Paul was saying.

Thirteen cities used the temple but it was Ephesus charged with its care and upkeep.

“…and of the image which fell down from Jupiter--"from the sky" or "from heaven." various legends concerning images and pictures in the Romish Church, such as the traditional likenesses of Christ, which were said to be "not made with hands"" [WEBSTER and WILKINSON].

36  “So, since these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash.  37  “For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of  temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.

The clerk attempted to use legal reasoning with the crowed.

verse thirty six is the legal reasoning used by the clerk for not pursuing further action against Paul or his followers Gaius and Aristarchus who were the accused in this case.

This is where we see the value of Paul’s approach to the Ephesians.

If you recall Paul was very careful not to overtly attack Diana.

He chose to use the approach of telling them how powerful Jesus was and is. 

 

38   “So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. 39  “But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly.

 

After pointing out to the crowed they had no case against Gaius and Aristarchus, he went on to say  the local court was open to hear any complaint.

The clerk was telling the accuser Demetrius to lodge a formal complaint in the local courts in the proper manner.

He could take his case to the citizens meeting held three times each month.

40  “For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.”  41  After saying this he dismissed the assembly.

“Then, the official warned the crowd. The Roman government could accuse them all of starting a riot. Sometimes, the Roman rulers gave people terrible punishments for this. The people in Ephesus had no excuse for their bad behavior. The official’s words scared the crowd. When he ordered them to leave, they did this. There was no more trouble.

Again, Luke shows that Christians were not doing anything against Roman law. They were not a danger to society. So, the gospel could continue to spread across the empire.” [3]

CREDITS, LINKS, AND CITATION

[1] –scripture verses from Cross wire Study Bible

[2] -  commentaries by /Jamison-Fausset-brown

[3] – Commentaries By Marion Adams

[4] – Wikipedia.org

ACTS CHAPTER 18 PAUL CONTINUES HIS SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

The full movie
Chapter 18 begins at 1:59:44: 

Paul Continues His Completes Second Missionary Journey

1 After these things he left Athens and  went to Corinth.   2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them,

Pontus is a historical Greek designation for a region on the southern coast of the Black Sea, located in modern-day northeastern Anatolia, Turkey.

               Jews from this region were in Jerusalem during Pentecost (Acts 2:9).

As the synagogue was Paul’s customary first stop, it may have been there he met Aquila and Priscilla.

The Roman writer Suetonius recorded Aquila and his wife were ordered by the emperor to leave Rome, because they were Jews.

They eventually settled at Ephesus.

3 and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers.

This is the first mention of Paul’s occupation as a tent maker.

Although I am sure Paul was given food and shelter as was customary for visiting Rabbis.

I am equally sure he found the need from time to time to have some cash and worked in his trade when he need cash.

Paul stayed in the home of Aguila and Pricilla and worked him in there shared trade.

I don’t believe Aguila charge him room and board more likely Paul just wanted to pay back the kind hospitality, and once again work in his trade.

4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath, and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

There is no mention of how Paul delivered the word.

I think we could safely believe he used the same approach as he had in the past (Acts 17:2-3).

His mission was to tell people of the good news; Jesus was the long awaited Messiah, the One foretold to them by the prophets, as written in the Torah.  

5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began, devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

The name Timothy was translated from the Greek name Timotheus.

“He was Paul’s child in the faith (1 Cor. 4:17; 1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2). Probably Paul, a visitor of Timothy’s house, led the young lad to Christ during his ministry in Iconium and Lystra since he refers to his persecutions there, which Timothy himself knew about (2 Tim. 3:10, 11). One writer suggests that when Paul recovered from his stoning at Lystra it was in Timothy’s home he found shelter ...” [Bible Gateway].

Timothy and Silas came to meet Paul returning from Berea (Acts 17:13&14).

6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Even though Paul gave a good and logical account of how Jesus fulfilled the prophases of the Torah the Jews could not be convinced.

Paul shook out his garments as a sign of separation a sinful environment; [Robert Barron speaks about this in his sermon from 7/15/12.]

Giving a physical sign he wanted no part in their blaspheming and their denying of the Christ.

Paul said “I am clean”; he had done his best to prove Jesus was the Christ, and because they refused to believe; their decision to die eternally in their sin was theirs and theirs alone Ezekiel 33:4 Ezekiel 33:9.

Our mission on earth mirrors that of Paul and we too will not have blood of others on our hands if we tell them of Christ savior, sanctifier, healer, and coming King.

7 Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius (Titus) Justus, a worshiper of  God, whose house was next to the synagogue.

Paul shook of the dust of that Synagogue and did not even want to be close to it.

Speculation leads me to think Titius, perhaps a Roman citizen whose Greek name was Crispus, was a worshiper of God and may have divorced himself from the Synagogue with Paul.

Paul reveals Titius was baptized a Christian, Acts 18:8 and also reported it in 1 Cor 1:13-14

Because scripture tells us he was a worshiper of the Lord and a believer in Jesus as messiah he would not have remained in the Synagogue, now a place of Blaspheme.

8  Crispus, the leader of the synagogue believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.

Once again we see the influence the father has in the household.

“…that the apostle deviated from his usual practice ( 1 Corinthians 1:14-16 ) and baptized him, as well as Caius (Gaius) and the household of Stephanas, with his own hand [HOWSON]”. 

Paul did not become bitter or depressed because of the Jews disbelief instead his heart was filled with joy over the number of Greeks saved in Corinth.

9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”

Although Scripture tells us this vision happened at night it did not say Paul was sleeping.

Ergo the word vision is not a dream.

I point out this distinction because scoffers might dismiss a dream.

Scripture confirms by the words ”any longer” Paul was not to be fearful he would not be harmed  continued to preach there.

The Lord (Jesus)in this vision reassures Paul he would not be physically harmed.

The comforting statement by the Lord (Jesus) that He would be with him must have bolstered Paul.

It is comforting for us today when we rely on Jesus words “ I will be with you always even unto the end of time.

11 And he settled there a year and 6 months, teaching the word of God among them.

Paul was in Corinth during the rule of Gallio (proconsul) about AD 50.

Luke gave us a time laps for Paul’s stay in Corinth of 16 months leaving in the spring of AD 52.

At this point we do not know why this stating the time spent there was important, except to accentuate the fact Paul was there for a long period of time; obviously he was no longer fearful.

It is believed Paul wrote his second Epistle to the church in Thessalonica during this time.

An Epistle is a word translated from the Greek word epistole which means letter. 

Letters of this type were the prime means of communication. 

These letters were hand carried – no postage due.

12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”

“A proconsul was a governor of a province in the Roman Republic appointed for one year by the senate.^[1] In modern usage, the title has been used (sometimes disparagingly) for a person from one country ruling another country or bluntly interfering in another country's internal affairs.”

As proconsul Gallio served as the Judge in Corinth. [4]

The Romans after conquering a country would permit the inhabitants to worship as they pleased.

Once again Paul faces trumped up charges brought by hardened Jews.

The charge may have been preaching a new way.

More likely Preaching against circumcision for the Gentile (V 15).

14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrong or of  vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you; 15 but if there are questions about words and names and your own law, look after it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.” 16 And he drove them away from the judgment.

Gaillio recognized from the charge it self there was no legal grounds to hear the case brought against Paul.

Today we would call this action being kicked out of court.

This is reminiscent of the time Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilot for judgment.

17 And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat.  But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.

It was the Gentiles who took Sosthenes to task by brining about this ill-founded accusation.

Sosthenes may have been the successor of Crispus.

In  1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul calls Sosthenes “our brother”; how could this be? 

He was not referring to this Sosthenes the leader of the opposition against Paul.

Gaillio’s judgment set a president for all other Roman judges to be guided by.

As Gallio told them to take care of this dispute themselves he showed no concern when the Gentiles did so violently.

Paul was neither attacked nor was he hurt just as Jesus assured him in Acts 18:10.

18 Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brethren, and put out to sea for 

Syria, and with him were Silas and Aquila. In Cenchrea he had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow.

Paul continued to plant other churches while in Corinth through Silas and Aguila.

The Jewish custom for cutting ones hair.

“From the Tanakh and Messianic Writings we know that there are two types of hair length. The first one is long hair and the second one is trimmed hair. The Torah does not say anything about required hair length for males or females except that when a man takes a Nazirite vow [Numbers 6:1-27] he must not cut his hair at all (he should let his hair grow).” [Messianicjews.com]

19 They came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, 21 but taking leave of them, and saying, “I will return to you again if God wills,” he set sail from Ephesus.

Paul continues his mission in Ephesus.

22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and went down to Antioch.

Paul was on his way to Jerusalem perhaps to celebrate the Pentecost in the temple.

Paul would make a sacrifice, which would complete his vow ( Acts 18:18 ).

Although not stated in scripture, Luke did use the term up and down.

Usually when referring to Jerusalem the term up was used perhaps as a designation of the church in Jerusalem as the high church.

The phrasing down to Antioch even though Antioch was north of Jerusalem using this phrase further points to Paul’s departure from Jerusalem.

Paul Begins His Third Missionary Journey

23 And having spent some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 

Paul’s journey retracing his previous journey while stopping at each church to encourage them.

From Jerusalem he traveled north to Antioch where he ordained the weekly collection ( 1 Corinthians 16:1 1 Corinthians 16:2 )

By what we read in Acts 19:22 Acts 19:29 ,2 Corinthians 1:1, Timotheus (Timothy) and Erastus, Gaius, Aristacrchus and perhaps Titius accompanied Paul.

 

24 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures.

Apollos was well versed in the first five books of the old testament (the Trorah), and was familiar with

    the story of Jesus.

Alexandria was named after Alexander the great. Alexandria is located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean.

About 1 million Jews lived

In Alexandria along with

Greeks.

This city was known

as the center for scripture

Study and intellectual

pursuits.

25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John;

Apolos’ knowledge of scriptures may have come from the eunuch baptized by Phillip (Acts 8:27), or perhaps by a disciple of John the Baptist.

The phrase “being fervent” simply mean being on fire (or excited, enthusiastic) for the Lord.

Although he was speaking with knowledge of Jesus’ life and works he was missing an important key.

He had not been taught about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ( Acts 19:2; Acts 19:3) and again on those who accept Jesus as their savior.

The phrase “The Way” was the name of the new Christian church into which people were baptized in the name of Jesus.

              

26 and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Anguilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Notice how once again as in Acts 18:18 Pricilla is named before Aquila.

This may be an indication of a higher degree of knowledge by Pricilla.

Pricilla and Aquila were impressed by Apolos gift in teaching, but he needed the rest of the story.

We can readily see the humility of Appolos who, although a gifted teacher sat at the feet of Pricilla and Aquila eagerly awaiting more information about Jesus and this new knowledge of the Holy Spirit.

27 And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him [Apolos] and  wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly help those who had the lead through grace, 28 for a powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

“Later, Apollos went to Corinth (in Achaia). He used his knowledge of the Old Testament and its special meanings. He used what he had learnt in Ephesus. He had a strong faith in Jesus. He defended that faith against the Jews in public.”[3]