Acts (Written)

Waterfront village, Washington State.

Monday, 21 August 2023

And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. Acts 19:30

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The verbs in the NKJV need a tune-up – “And Paul, desiring to enter to the people, the disciples would not allow him” (CG).

In the previous verse, the city of Ephesus was seized with the rising disturbance initiated by the words of Demetrius. Eventually, they seized Gaius and Aristarchus as they rushed into the theater. With that, it next says, “And Paul, desiring to enter to the people.”

As is Luke’s custom, the use of participles brings action to the narrative, as if it is occurring in front of our eyes. Paul probably wanted to stand up and give the gospel to the entire city. It would save a lot of time to do it this way, but it would also bear the possibility of physical harm.

This wasn’t as important to him as getting the word out, so setting his own safety aside and appealing to the masses would take the pressure off Gaius and Aristarchus and place it on him. Paul had rushed into the middle of a group of excited people in the past (e.g. Acts 14:14) and he will do it again later in Acts (such as Acts 21:39).

He saw incidents such as this as opportunities to speak to more people at once about the wonderful saving message of Jesus. Regardless of bodily harm, this was his driving passion. In this case, however, “the disciples would not allow him.”

In 1 Corinthians 15:32, Paul says –

“If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’”

The incident now being recorded might be what he was referring to. Ephesus was a large city and there were probably not a lot of wild beasts running around. Rather, he is either using the meaning figuratively to speak of wild, raging people, or he may be referring to his desire to enter the theater. Such a theater would, at times, be used for actually fighting wild beasts. As such, he may have been saying, “I was willing to enter the theater and fight for the gospel in that setting.”

Regardless of the situation, his words in 1 Corinthians 15 are likely figurative in nature. In this case, however, the disciples were sure he would be harmed, so they restrained him. This will continue to be seen in the next verse.

Life application: Paul was restrained from entering by people that could perceive the danger of the situation. He probably didn’t care about that, but they did. As such, they kept him from what he wanted.

Despite him being an apostle and they being his disciples, they were willing to set this type of authority aside for the greater good. There may be times when a church sees a pastor being overzealous for an issue. His care may be to get the word out, but they may perceive a danger that he is unwilling to acknowledge. As such, it becomes their responsibility to take the reasonable avenue and restrain him.

Despite being the pastor for instruction and leading, he is just a guy. His ability to grasp all of what is going on around him is limited. There may be a point, therefore, that stopping him for the sake of safety may be just the thing needed at the time. Just as the pastor looks out for his flock, those of the church should look out for him.

Lord Jesus, You have appointed leaders in Your church to guide the people in spiritual matters. But You have also placed people under their care who may have the ability to assist those leaders in ways they cannot even imagine. So, Lord, help us to use our abilities to assist and protect those appointed over us. May Your wisdom guide us all our days. Amen.

Sailboat. Washington State.

Sunday, 20 August 2023

So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. Acts 19:29

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

To match the Greek, these words are more closely rendered, “And the city was filled – the outpouring – and rushed single-mindedly to the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow-travelers of Paul” (CG).

In the previous verse, the silversmiths had gotten lathered up at the words of Demetrius and cried out, saying “Great is Diana of the Ephesians.” With that, people began to take notice of their excited cries and Luke next notes, “And the city was filled – the outpouring.”

It is a noun found only here in Scripture, sugchusis.

It comes from the verb sugcheó, meaning to pour out together. Figuratively, it refers to being confused or confounded. As the noun form is used, the word outpouring (an outburst of strong emotion) gives a close sense. The people heard the shouts of the silversmiths, the word was passed on from there concerning what was going on, and everyone poured out of their homes and businesses in a heat of emotion. From there, it next notes, “and rushed single-mindedly to the theater.”

Here is a word, homothumadon, found eleven times in the New Testament, ten of those instances are in Acts, and this is the last use in Acts. Its root words signify “same” and “passion.” Thus, it describes having the same passion or the same desire. The minds agree and thus “single-mindedly” gives the sense.

Even if they didn’t know why they were going to the theater, they were propelled by a herd mentality with one purpose. As for the theater mentioned here, it was next to the temple of Artemis and is said to have been able to hold 25,000 people according to Ellicott. Vincent’s Word Studies says it held 56,000. Apparently, it was built for gladiator combat of the day, but it was also a theater for drama and public debates. It would have been a perfect place for the gathering to meet.

Concerning the mob, in verse 32, it will note that most of the people didn’t even know why they had come together. They had simply followed the growing mob, one after another. However, of those that did know why they had come together, it next notes, “having seized Gaius and Aristarchus.”

As the crowd rushed towards the focal point of the action, those who knew that it was because of the spreading of the gospel snatched these two men by force and carried them off.

As for their names, Gaius probably comes from gaia, earth or land. Thus, it means Of the Land. This could be taken as “he is a man of the land” like a farmer, or it could signify “he is made from the earth” like Adam. The name Gaius was one of the most common names of the time. It is the same as the Roman Caius. Several men will be noted with this same name in the New Testament. There could be overlap in them so that one or two are the same person, but this is not certain.

The second name, Aristarchus, comes from ariston, breakfast or midday meal (signifying the best meal), and archó, to rule. Thus, his name means Best Ruler. He will be seen again in Acts 20:4 where he is noted as being from Thessalonica. In Colossians 4:10 he is noted as Paul’s fellow prisoner. He came to Christ through Paul and stayed close to him through thick and thin. He is also seen in Acts 27:2 and Philemon 1:24.

Of these men, Luke notes that both were “Macedonians.” As they are in Ephesus, they are not local to the area and had become targets of the crowd because they were also “fellow-travelers of Paul.”

This is a new noun sunekdémos. It comes from three words meaning “with,” “out of,” and “people,” but people of a like commonality. They are those who traveled with Paul, out of another place, and thus “fellow-travelers.”

Life application: One can see how a tumult raised by one group has grown into a general crowd that is gathered into a mob. This is as common as gravel on a driveway. Once a little ruckus gets going outside a store, people will start to gather to see what is going on. Often, without even knowing the circumstances, there will be someone to egg things on. “That guy was minding his own business and the cops started pounding on him.”

From there, the crowd starts yelling at the cops, maybe throwing stuff at them. General disarray erupts, the riot police have to be called, and people get thrown into jail. The person was a shoplifter, he turned on the cops and started pounding on them, they took action to subdue him, the crowd was in the wrong, cops were beaten, and one was killed. All because someone made up a false story.

Solomon says –

“He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own
Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.” Proverbs 26:17

Grabbing a dog by the ears is not smart. They will usually attack and bite the person who does it. When you see a tussle going on outside, the best thing to do is to keep your distance and not get involved. To get more such wisdom, be sure to read the Proverbs from time to time. It is filled with good information like this. Pay attention to it and keep yourself from disaster.

Lord God, help us to make the Bible a priority in our daily lives. It is certain that it will fill us with wisdom and also keep us from harm. Above all, thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord who will save us from this world of woe, even if we get caught up in it from time to time because we failed to read Your word. In the end, we shall be secure. Amen.

Sailboats, etc., Washington State.

Saturday, 19 August 2023 

Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” Acts 19:28

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

More precisely, the words read, “And having heard, and having been filled with wrath, they cried out saying, ‘Great, the Artemis of Ephesians’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Demetrius had put forth his case that the trade of the silversmiths was in danger of falling into disrepute and that the magnificence of Diana might be destroyed. With that, the reaction is swift as Luke records, “And having heard, and having been filled with wrath.”

The words of Demetrius, and the thought of their money running out, were convincing enough to bring these men into a bitter rage. Luke uses the word thumos. It is the type of anger where one gets heated up and breathes violently.

For example, it was used in Luke 4 when those in the synagogue in Nazareth heard Jesus’ words about God’s compassion for the Gentiles while overlooking the plight of the Jews. The Jews were so incensed at the thought of what He said that they determined to throw Him off a nearby cliff. This is the same heated rage now being expressed by those in Ephesus. Therefore, “they cried out.”

The verb is imperfect denoting continuance. As will be seen, this continued crying out will spread and eventually get the whole city in a lather. As for their words, Luke records the crowd as “saying, ‘Great, the Artemis of Ephesians.’”

This may have been something called out at religious festivals each year, or it may just be a spontaneous chant that arose to meet the occasion. Either way, it is not unlike the way that people throw out chants during sports games or rallies for one cause or another. Quite often they lack any true reason, but because they are short and catchy, they quickly become entrenched in the unthinking minds of others.

Life application: One of the common ways those with no reasonable argument will attempt to defend their viewpoint is to raise a ruckus, shouting and chanting. The liberal left has become champions of this type of activity. Without any coherent stand on an issue, such as abortion, they still gather into masses with placards and ridiculous chants that are intended to stir others up to their cause.

It worked thousands of years ago in Ephesus, and it continues to work today. This is not uncommon in areas where false religions are practiced as well. When the truth of Christianity starts to take a foothold in an area, just what is seen in Acts 19 will happen in that area.

Logical arguments and sound reasoning will not take place in such gatherings. Therefore, the best thing to do is to not engage such people. They will easily get stirred up to the point where violent reactions will take over. Turn on the news and watch any nutty leftist cause do exactly this. Such instances from the recent past are the Antifa riots, the BLM movement, and the leftist reactions to overturning of Roe vs. Wade,.

The people involved are lefties, they have no clear argument, and they are set on destruction and mayhem at the expense of what is moral, sound, and proper. This will only increase as the days unfold. Be aware of this attitude and keep yourself away from such demonstrations lest you get overwhelmed by such thugs.

Heavenly Father, the world of man is not geared toward sound thinking and reason. And the message of the cross of Jesus Christ takes both. And so, we see enmity toward the gospel increasing everywhere. Along with faith in Christ comes moral thinking, holiness, and respect. Such things are no longer considered proper. So, Lord, give us wisdom to choose our battles and to know when to speak and when to remain silent. Amen.

Rainforest. Washington State.

Friday, 18 August 2023

“So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.” Acts 19:27

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, the efforts of Paul concerning evangelism were noted, saying that not only in Ephesus but in all of Asia he had turned many away from the notion that gods made by hands are even gods at all. Now, Demetrius continues with the words, “So not only.”

These words cover what was just conveyed, the business of the craftsmen was in peril. As such, their livelihood would go with it. Instead of thinking about how they could change their skills in working with silver, they wanted to forge ahead with what they had been doing all along. However, he says not only “is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute.”

The word meros, translated as “trade,” is not the same as in verse 25. This word signifies a portion or a share. Demetrius is riling up the men because their piece of the pie was in jeopardy. Also, the word apelegmos, translated as “disrepute,” is seen only here in the New Testament. The meaning is that it would be exposed, refuted, or brought into contempt.

Therefore, Demetrius’ words are based on the words of the previous verse that “they are not gods which are made with hands.” Any simpleton could walk by armed with this knowledge and see that the smiths were there pounding out little idols one after another. But, despite the temple idol being on a much larger scale, the same was true concerning what the little idols were based on: the large temple idol. That is seen in his next words, “but also the temple.”

No matter how big and majestic a temple may be, no matter how much awe and wonder there may be at the intricacy of it or the splendor it contained, it was still just a temple. A temple, when rightly considered, was just a bigger version of that which is made by hands. Whether small or large, hands had fashioned it. Thus, it was – by default – constructed by human effort.

Solomon acknowledged this at the erection of the temple –

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!” 1 Kings 8:27

Regardless of what the purpose of the temple was for, Solomon was the one to have built the temple of the Lord. Both Stephen and Paul refer to the truth Solomon spoke out as well –

“However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:
⁴⁹ ‘Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
What house will you build for Me? says the Lord,
Or what is the place of My rest?
⁵⁰ Has My hand not made all these things?’” Acts 7:48-50

&

“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.” Acts 17:24

In the case of the temple at Ephesus, Demetrius says it is the temple “of the great goddess Diana.” Again, as in verse 19:24, it should read Artemis. It is the Greek name of the goddess. Scholars note that the term “the great goddess” is an epithet that has been found on many coins and medals of the city. What is important to the argument being set forth is that the worship of Artemis means the supposed existence of more than one god. This is also a concept opposed by Paul.

Therefore, if Paul’s words were believed, and he proclaimed just one God, then Artemis must be a false goddess. Demetrius’ words mean that if people logically thought through what Paul was saying, their goddess “may be despised.”

These words literally read, “to be reckoned for nothing.” If the God Paul proclaimed is the One true God, then the temple where the goddess Artemis was located was an edifice of vanity. That falls in line with Solomon’s words concerning the temple in Jerusalem. God is not limited to a single temple made by human hands.

Only the purpose of the temple in Jerusalem was what made it different. It was a place to focus attention on the God who could not be contained within it. On the other hand, the temple of Artemis was erected to contain the goddess within. When it was realized she was not a goddess, the temple would then be reckoned for nothing “and her magnificence destroyed.”

Here, a play on words is made. A harmony of wording between the “great goddess,” megales theas, and “magnificence,” megaleiotētos, is seen. In essence, Demetrius is saying that the great goddess would lose her greatness. But if she was so great, how could she lose her greatness?

As for the word translated as “destroyed,” it means to “take down,” “dethrone,” or “depose.” It is the same word used concerning Jesus being taken down from the cross four times in the gospels and Acts, such as in Luke 23:53 –

“Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.”

As for Demetrius’ words concerning Artemis, he next notes of her, “whom all Asia and the world worship.” Of this, Matthew Pool notes, “though the Romans might worship any god (of those multitudes) which they allowed, yet they might leave their estates only to a very few amongst them; but Diana of the Ephesians was one of those few.”

As this is so, the money that came to this temple would have been exceedingly great. As such, it made great profits for the artisans that worked for her name. An entire industry was in jeopardy. This is the crux of the matter at hand.

Life application: The place where the church meets often inappropriately takes the place of the purpose of the building. In other words, the difference between the temple in Jerusalem and that of Artemis was noted. One was for the central worship of God who cannot be contained within the temple. The other was for a place of worship of the false goddess that was contained within it.

When the church gathers to meet in a particular location, it is not because God is more there than anywhere else. It is because those believers are sealed with the Spirit, and they are uniting to worship the God that transcends all things. However, this notion is often lost in the minds of believers. Too much focus is on the building itself or the things contained within it. This can take our eyes from where they should be.

Let us remember that whether we meet in a little church with no frills, in an open-air forum, or in a big church with all kinds of fancy stuff, the purpose of gathering is to worship the Lord, to study His word, and to jointly praise and petition Him. The externals will all fade away, but the glory of the Lord will remain undiminished forever.

“Thus says the Lord:
‘Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me?
And where is the place of My rest?
² For all those things My hand has made,
And all those things exist,’
Says the Lord.
‘But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word.’” Isaiah 66:1, 2

Glorious God Almighty! How good it is to be in Your presence and to acknowledge You in spirit and in truth. May our hearts and minds be focused on Your splendor and beauty. May our hearts be directed by Your word. And may our lives be lived in a manner that will glorify You for all of our days. Amen.

Rain forest. Washington State.

Thursday, 17 August 2023

“Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. Acts 19:26

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The verse more correctly reads: “And you see and hear, that not only in Ephesus, but almost all Asia, this Paul – having persuaded – seduced a sizable multitude, saying that they are not gods being made by hands” (CG).

In the previous verse, Demetrius had called together the workers in the related silver trade and reminded them that they received a good income from their business. However, that was now threatened as Luke continues to relay his words, saying, “And you see and hear.”

The effects of Paul were readily apparent to Demetrius. And so, appealing to their own senses, he validates that what he is saying is obvious and true. Those in the silver trade had personally seen the scope of Paul’s ministry and they had obviously heard of it from those of other areas who had come to trade as well. That is seen in the next words, “that not only in Ephesus but almost all Asia.”

Paul was in Ephesus, but there were other churches in Asia as well. They may have been started by him or others, but if they were started by others (such as those who had been there at the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection), they would have been more Jewish-centered. Paul was called as the Apostle to the Gentiles. Therefore, even if he did not start some of the other churches in Asia, he still would have had an effect on their expansion into the Gentiles of the community where they were.

Therefore, this verse provides confirmation of the scope and efficacy of the work conducted by him which is recorded in verse 19:10 –

“And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”

He had such a great harvest among the Gentiles that it caused these people to feel the effects of his ministry personally and monetarily. It isn’t certain, but if the areas around the seven churches in Revelation were evangelized by Paul, along with those areas that he is definitively noted as having been at in Asia (Ephesus, Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis), almost two-thirds of Asia’s coastline would have been affected by his efforts. That would certainly explain the great alarm of Demetrius. Therefore, his words continue with an emphatic note, “this Paul.”

The demonstrative pronoun calls attention to the source of their loss. One might say, “Paul is a real problem for us.” Or he might emphasize his words to get the point across, “That Paul, he is a real problem for us.” This is the sense of Demetrius’ words. He then continues to explain what the matter is saying, “having persuaded – seduced a sizeable multitude.”

The first verb means to persuade or convince. Paul was clear and precise in what he said, even to the point that people were convicted of their sins and certain that they needed what he offered in his words concerning the good news of Jesus Christ.

The second verb, methistémi, means to change, pervert, turn away, etc. In Colossians 1:13, it speaks of the change that takes place in us when we come to Christ. In the case of Demetrius’ thoughts about Paul, the word “seduced” probably carries the thought that was on his mind. Paul didn’t just persuade people with his rhetoric, but he seduced them away from what he believed was right, “saying that they are not gods being made by hands.”

Of these words, Bengel humorously asks, “Are they then, Demetrius?” Demetrius was so depraved in his thoughts that he believed the things he made with his own hands were actually gods. Just note the irony! If the idols he was making were really gods, then he – a man – was the creator of gods. This is the type of attitude that Paul addressed in Acts 17:29 –

“Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.”

Paul also addresses the issue of such idolatry in Romans 1. From that springboard, having traded the truth of God for a lie, other sins inevitably develop. In fact, Paul’s list, which is at first based on turning away from God to idolatry, is quite extensive –

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; ³² who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:28-32

But with Paul in the province of Asia, the unholy tide of idolatry was beginning to ebb. Surely at least in part because of his efforts, Ellicott notes these words –

“Pliny, in his Epistle to Trajan (Epp. x. 96), uses language, half a century later, which is hardly less strong, speaking of ‘deserted temples,’ ‘worship neglected,’ ‘hardly a single purchaser’ (rarissimus emptor) found for sacrificial victims.”

Life application: The stupidity of idolatry seems obvious to a person once he comes to know and understand the nature of the true God. And yet, idolatry is so infectious that it can continue in the lives of believers. We must always be on guard against it because anything can turn into an idol. And, depending on the church one is in, it can be reinstituted in the lives of adherents almost instantaneously.

An obvious example is the Roman Catholic Church which is so filled with idols that the true God has become an ethereal secondary thought to most Catholics. This is true with other orthodox religions. It can creep into any church that is not prepared to meet the temptation head-on.

Take the time to slowly read and think about the words of Isaiah 44:9-20. Consider what is being said about idolatry and then determine to weed all such ideas out of your life. Eyes on Jesus! Let your heart, mind, and soul be filled with the knowledge of Him at all times. This is the sweet spot for your life, doctrine, and practice of faith.

Glorious God, help us to constantly evaluate our lives, removing the idols from them as they creep up. May our hearts and affections be directed to You alone as we live our lives in Your presence. Thank You for the sure hope we possess because of Jesus. We need nothing else to connect with You. He is our All in all. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.