Acts (Written)

Puget Sound or something.

Wednesday, 16 August 2023

He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Acts 19:25

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 words of this verse continue what was said in the previous verse. They read, “whom, having assembled also the workmen of such things, said, “Men, you know that from this business is our wealth” (CG).

In the previous verse, Demetrius the silversmith was introduced. He made silver shrines of Artemis which brought the craftsmen no little profit. Luke continues this narrative while speaking of Demetrius and the craftsmen, saying, “whom, having assembled.”

Without going any further, one can deduce that the issue to be discussed is money. It was said that the craftsmen received no little profit from the making of these shrines. Now they are being assembled by Demetrius. Luke next records, “also the workmen of such things.”

These would be the unskilled laborers. The Greek word used to describe them is ergates. As can be seen, the root of the word is erg, such as in our modern word ergonomics. Being masculine, plural, it signifies workmen. After having gathered all these together, he said, “Men.”

Some translations here say “Sirs” instead of “Men.” However, this is simply an address to men regardless of class or position. For example, in Acts 16:30, where the jailor said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”, the word was one of respect for one with greater authority. Demetrius is addressing a crowd of men gathered together from various classes to discuss their livelihood.

He then continues, saying, “you know that from this business.” Now, using the word ergasia, he includes all of them in the thought. There is a large industry being considered. Demetrius is a silversmith, but the matter extends beyond him. It would affect miners, the smelters of metal, and many other steps in the process of making these shrines. It was a fully worked-out industry. And from it he next notes “is our wealth.”

The efforts of these workers were combined into one main business which is the Greek word euporia, a word found only here in the New Testament. It signifies what is derived from the business, meaning their monetary wealth. Thus, it is used in the sense of riches, wealth, etc.

Life application: When you think of something you pick up at the store, there is actually an entire business that is involved in making it, even something as simple as a pencil. In fact, if you considered everything involved in the making of a pencil, you would have a list many pages long. And yet, you would probably have forgotten something.

Think of what is involved in obtaining the wood, transporting it, etc. For example, a tree needs to have a saw to cut it down. But the saw is made of metal that had to be taken out of the ground and forged. The workmen need special clothes and personal protection for logging which must be obtained. There needs to be gas and oil for the chainsaw. Chains need to be replaced from time to time. The air filter might have been made in Wang Chung, China and the spark plug may have been made in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

These things had to be gathered, itemized, placed in plastic bags, boxed, labeled, etc. The system that is in place to make a single pencil is so vast that it is literally beyond our ability to fully appreciate it. Each of the people involved is a part of the process. If a pastor picks up a pencil to use, that pencil represents thousands or tens of thousands – even an innumerable number – of people directly or indirectly involved in getting it into his hands.

The same is true with the paper he writes on. Etc. He could not easily compose his sermon without such a system in place. Therefore, each of those people was a part of what it takes for a sermon to be written out. God is using the mass of humanity to continue His plan of redemption, and each person should be considered as a part of the process of getting to the end of that plan.

No person should be considered too far from God’s grace to be given the gospel, and there should be no Christian who feels his or her job is not worthy of the notice of the Lord’s attention in the greater scheme of things. What may seem unimportant or tedious as a profession may be an intricately needed part of getting the most important sermon ever written out to the public.

We just don’t know how the things we do are going to affect things elsewhere and at some point in time. So do what you do to the glory of God. He knows exactly how you fit in, and He knows your worth, even if it escapes you. Trust that He has you exactly where you should be to get us to the end of this part of the story and onto the next part of what He is doing.

Lord God, thank You that we are included in the goodness of what Jesus has done for the people of the world. He came to redeem fallen man, and we are all a part of that state. Therefore, we must have value in this ongoing story that even we do not yet realize. The seemingly lowliest job or task may be an indispensable part of what is going on. May we do our part to Your glory because of this. Amen.

Washington State Capitol.

Tuesday, 15 August 2023

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. Acts 19:24

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 words are better rendered, “For someone named Demetrius, a silversmith making silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing to the craftsmen no little business” (CG).

The previous verse noted that no small commotion about the Way arose. That now begins to be explained with the words, “For someone named Demetrius.” The name means Belonging to Demeter. But the name Démétér is the Greek goddess of agriculture and harvest. She also presided over divine law as well as the cycle of life and death. Thus, the name can also signify Belonging to the Earth Mother.

This person is next noted as “a silversmith.” The Greek word is argurokopos. It literally means a silver-beater or a silver-cutter. Vincent’s Word Studies notes, “In the next verse he mentions the workmen the two words denoting, respectively, the artisans, who performed the more delicate work, and the laborers, who did the rougher work.”

He was involved in the shaping of silver for “making silver shrines of Artemis.” Many translations say Diana instead of Artemis. Diana is the Roman name for the Greek goddess Artemis, which is what the text reads. Abarim notes the obscurity of the name. It is rather uncertain what the root of it is. However, they tie it to artames, meaning safe and sound, as well as to artemia, meaning soundness or recovery. As such, they define the name as Healer or Security. Concerning this particular deity, Barnes notes –

“This was a celebrated goddess of the pagan, and one of the twelve superior deities. In the heavens she was Luna, or Meui (the moon); on earth, Diana; and in hell, Hecate. She was sometimes represented with a crescent on her head, a bow in her hand, and dressed in a hunting habit; at other times with a triple face, and with instruments of torture. She was commonly regarded as the goddess of hunting. She was also worshipped under the various names of Lucina, Proserpine, Trivia, etc. She was also represented with a great number of breasts, to denote her as being the fountain of blessings, or as distributing her benefits to each in their proper station. She was worshipped in Egypt, Athens, Cilicia, and among pagan nations generally; but the most celebrated place of her worship was Ephesus, a city especially dedicated to her.”

Concerning Demetrius’ silversmith efforts, Luke next notes that his work “was bringing to the craftsmen no little business.” Like any such thing, there was profit to be made from peddling this particular religious idol. Of them, the Pulpit Commentary, citing Meyer, says –

“They were silver models of the famous temple of Diana at Ephesus, and were carried as charms on journeys and placed in people’s houses to ensure to them the protection of the goddess.”

Life application: If you think about it, these goofy little idols are actually no different than buying rosaries and images of Mary along with the countless other idols sold to adherents of the Roman Catholic church. There are entire websites set up to sell innumerable idols to dupe adherents into believing they will somehow be closer to God.

But innumerable Christians from other denominations are caught up in various types of idolatry similar to this as well. Some have Feng Shui objects, some read the daily horoscopes, and others use the cross as a talisman rather than as an object of remembrance of what Christ did. Such idols get set up in our hearts and they only remove us from a close and personal walk with the Lord.

Let us be careful to hold to the word of God as our source of understanding the Lord, and then let us adhere to it by walking closely with the Lord, loving Him with our hearts and souls, and clinging to Him in good times and in bad. Faith in the Lord is what pleases the Lord. Anything else is just a distraction and a hindrance to a close and personal walk with Him.

Heavenly Father, help us to remove the idols in our hearts and in our homes from our lives. May we cling to You alone as our hope, our Source of protection, and our joy. Help us to be faithful to You, just as You are always faithful to us. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Beautiful tall trees at Washington State Capitol

Monday, 14 August 2023

And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. Acts 19:23

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, Paul sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia while he stayed in Asia for a time. Now, it says, “And about that time there arose a great commotion.”

The NKJV makes the translation more of a paraphrase. Rather, it says, “And there came, at that time, no small disturbance.” This is referring to the time that Paul purposed to go through Macedonia and had sent the two missionaries ahead of him. At the time he was remaining in Ephesus, but certainly not long after the incident of the false exorcists being exposed, the events to be described came about.

When those exorcists were seen for what they truly were, the believers had a great turning in their hearts towards the Lord, burning their books that contained the magic, incantations, etc. That provides the backdrop for what lies ahead. As for the attitude of the believers that will bring this commotion about, Luke next says, “about the Way.”

In other words, it is their faith and what they have done to bolster it through their actions that were in accord with their lives in Christ that will bring about the commotion. Obviously, when such an event takes place, the people will be on fire for the Lord.

Not only will they remove the inappropriate things from their lives, but they will speak about what they have done to others, telling them that such things are futile and to trust in the Lord. As that word continues to spread, those who are opposed to such a change will not be pleased. Thus, the Way, meaning faith in Jesus Christ, is being set against what will next be described.

Life application: Personal experience in seeing others converted and the change in their lives will validate what is seen in the coming verses. For example, one ministry in Pakistan has frequent converts from Hinduism. Hinduism is a religion that is said to have over three hundred million gods. These are centered on a core set of gods, but Hinduism is an impossible quagmire of man seeking to please these innumerable supposed deities.

The priests at Hindu temples don’t help as they threaten the people through fear tactics, demanding money or the gods will be displeased with them. There is never a sense of security in salvation or a sense of intimacy with these gods.

However, that all changes when a person comes to Christ. This bondage is lifted, and truly unspeakable joy is realized when such a person finds out that God has reached down to them through the cross. He made the first move, and it was fully sufficient to bring about restoration and reconciliation.

Unfortunately, though, there is obvious blowback from this. The priests at the Hindu temples no longer have control over the people. They also can no longer shakedown those people for money. Because of this, there can be real trouble brought upon the new believers in Christ by the priests. They stir up the masses who are still living in bondage and fear, telling them to harm the Christian converts. As the Geneva Bible says, “Gain cloaked with a show of religion is the very cause why idolatry is strongly and stubbornly defended.”

Even the local Muslims will also come against the Christians because they too despise the freedom they see in them. Rather than attacking Hindus who are polytheists, they come against Christians who are monotheists. The thinking is completely convoluted, but it demonstrates the power of the gospel to both save and condemn, depending on whether it is accepted or rejected.

Think about this as the next verses are evaluated. But also think about those within Christianity who falsely proclaim that one can lose his salvation. To them, salvation is not by grace through faith because if a person can lose his salvation, then it is a salvation of works. Why would they hold to this? It is for the same reason as the Hindu priests – control.

God did not send Jesus to provide His people with eternal insecurity. Rather, He saves once and for all time. Hold fast to your freedom in Christ and know that God has adopted you as His Son. In this, you are forever reconciled to Him.

Heavenly Father, it is true that we can displease You through our actions after being saved, but we know that we shall never again be separated from You. You have saved us despite ourselves and for that we are forever grateful. Now, Lord, direct us in Your paths according to Your word so that we will be pleasing to You in all ways. Amen.

Capitol Grounds. Washington State.

Sunday, 13 August 2023

So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time. Acts 19:22

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 text uses participles to convey Luke’s intent: “And having sent into Macedonia two of those ministering to him, Timothy and Erastus, he held up for a time in Asia” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul had decided it was time to leave Ephesus and head to Jerusalem, but before going there, he wanted to pass through Macedonia and Achaia. After visiting Jerusalem, he then wanted to travel to Rome. In order to prepare for his trip to Macedonia and Achaia, Luke now records, “And having sent into Macedonia two of those ministering to him.”

This is to ensure that things were prepared for him when he would finally leave Ephesus. The matter of an offering being taken to Jerusalem was of great importance to Paul, and he wanted to ensure that nothing would cause it to fail or that the commitments that had been made would not be met. Because of this, he sent “Timothy and Erastus.”

Timothy had already gone through Macedonia as is recorded in Acts 17:14, 15. He was also recorded as being in Corinth with Paul in Acts 18:5. Therefore, he was aware of the terrain and familiar with the people. As for Erastus, it is argued whether this is the same person as noted in Romans 16:23. If so, he is noted as the treasurer of the city. Therefore, as Barnes notes, he was “a very proper person to be sent with Timothy for the purpose of making the collection for the poor at Jerusalem. Paul had wisdom enough to employ a man accustomed to monied transactions in making a collection.” Either way, he is most probably the same Erastus mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:20. As for Paul, after having sent these two ahead of him, it says, “he held up for a time in Asia.”

The word Luke uses, epechó, is seen just five times – all by Luke or Paul. It comes from epi (on, upon, etc.), and echó (have, hold, possess, etc.). Thus, it means to hold fast, hold up, give attention to, etc. For simplicity, most translations say remained, stayed, stopped, etc. In this case, the German word anhalten is a very good equivalent, but there is no single English word that really conveys the exact meaning.

As for Paul staying in Asia and the details about the collection, the traveling of Timothy, and so forth, this is conveyed in his first letter to the Corinthians –

“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: ² On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. ³ And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.
⁵ Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). ⁶ And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. ⁷ For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.
⁸ But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. ⁹ For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
¹⁰ And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. ¹¹ Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.
¹² Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.” 1 Corinthians 16:1-12

Concerning his words “and there are many adversaries,” at least a portion of that will be clearly seen in the coming verses of Acts.

Life application: The amount of time and attention that Paul devotes to the issue of the collection for the saints is notable. Acts gives the background information, and the epistles give the instructions, admonitions, and petitions concerning it. It is evident from the detail in this matter, as well as Paul’s careful attention to not being a burden on the churches by working with his own hands, that he truly wanted it to be understood how important it was to not take the matter of other people’s money lightly.

As can be seen in 1 Corinthians 16:3 & 4 above, he even wanted others to be selected to handle the money. That way, he would not be accused of any wrongdoing or mishandling of the money. The reason this is important is because money is a means of expressing people’s time and effort.

If a person is a blue-collar worker, his time and physical effort are represented by the money he is paid. If a person is a white-collar worker, his time and mental effort are represented by the money he makes. If a person is an inventor, the money he receives from the use of his intelligence and skills in inventing represents what he has accomplished. An actor’s abilities are reflected in the money he earns for his acting. And so forth.

To mishandle other people’s money is to mishandle the thing that represents a portion, even a sizable portion, of that person’s life. This is why it is inappropriate for governments to fritter away what they tax from the people. It shows disrespect for those who have put in the effort to produce. Likewise, for a church or those who are responsible for the affairs of the church to have ostentatious displays of wealth demonstrates a lack of care for the time and effort of the people who give for the needs of the church.

Consider this and consider how your own church is run. Does the pastor have a fifty-million-dollar jet? That may sound laughable, but there are those that do. Be wise about where the money your church is given is spent. As noted, Paul was very cautious to do things above board at all times and in all ways, including concerning the money that he was involved in procuring for the needs of others.

Lord God, help each of us to be responsible with the things You have entrusted to us in this life. This includes how the money we have a part in controlling is spent. If there is a party or an individual in government that is prone to wasting the money of others, give us the wisdom to vote them out. If there is a ministry that is not proving successful, may we redirect away from it and use those resources more wisely. Help us to rightly consider such things. Amen.

Totem Pole.

Saturday, 12 August 2023 

When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” Acts 19:21

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 words more closely read, “And after these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in the Spirit – having passed through Macedonia and Achaia – to go to Jerusalem, having said, ‘That after I have been there, I must also see Rome” (CG).

The previous verse told of the word of the Lord growing mightily and prevailing. This occurred in Ephesus. Now a new direction takes place with the words, “And after these things were fulfilled.”

There was a time in Ephesus to evangelize, teach, and raise up leaders, and now that time is about to be fulfilled. Verse 19:10 said that this continued for two years. That was in addition to the three months he had spent reasoning in the synagogue. With this time in Ephesus coming to its completion, it next says, “Paul purposed in the Spirit.”

It is debated whether this should simply refer to a willful spirit in Paul or the Holy Spirit. The word is preceded by an article in the Greek text. Of this, Ellicott – who argues it should simply say “in spirit” – says, “The Greek word, however, implies a reference to something more than human volition. The spirit which formed the purpose was in communion with the Divine Spirit.”

If this is true, and it certainly is, then rendering it “in the Spirit” provides the honor of the communion to the Holy Spirit by saying “in the Spirit.” For example, Paul says elsewhere –

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:24-26

This is something he repeats in various ways elsewhere. Paul was walking in the Spirit. He was in communion with the Spirit and thus he “purposed in the Spirit” to take action. Therefore, once the gospel was firmly fixed in Ephesus, he – and the Spirit he was in communion with – couldn’t sit at ease any longer.  And so, it was resolved that it was time to move on. Therefore, it next says, “having passed through Macedonia and Achaia.”

Paul surely yearned to fellowship with the churches he had established. And so, it was his intention that prior to doing anything else, he would go through these areas, certainly anticipating a happy reunion with them, strengthening them, etc. In addition to this, he purposed to use this trip to gather a collection for the saints in Jerusalem. This is noted in his epistles, such as –

“But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. ²⁶ For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. ²⁷ It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. ²⁸ Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. ²⁹ But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.” Romans 15:25-29

He also discusses this in great detail in 2 Corinthians 8. As for what he purposed in the Spirit after having passed through Macedonia and Achaia, it was “to go to Jerusalem.”

This was the purpose of the collection he was going to gather from those churches. Those who were in Jerusalem had ministered to the Gentiles in spiritual things. Paul thought it was appropriate to reward them by tending to them in material things. The entire matter concerning this offering was very sensitive. People had made promises and Paul expected them to be fulfilled.

This is especially true because the poorer churches had gone out of their way considering this offering. If the richer churches failed in their promises, it would be an embarrassment to Paul, a stain upon them, and a slap in the face of the poorer churches. Therefore, Paul carefully wrote out the necessity for everything to be handled in a proper fashion.

Once this offering was made, Paul had made plans beyond the trip to Jerusalem. Next, Luke records Paul “having said, ‘That after I have been there, I must also see Rome.’”

This is just what is recorded in the citation from Romans 15 above. He will, in fact, go to Rome. However, it will not be in the manner that he expected as indicated in those words. Of the words of this verse, the Pulpit Commentary, citing Bengel, says –

“Observe also the insatiable appetite of the apostle for spiritual conquests, and his noble contempt for idleness. He has but just won Ephesus and Asia, and already he undertakes Macedonia and Achaia. Nor does his mind stop there, but reaches on to Jerusalem, then stretches onwards to Rome, and meditates the invasion of Spain. Truly neither Alexander, nor Caesar, nor any hero of antiquity was a match for this little Benjamite (paulus) in the magnanimity of his designs.”

Life application: There is never a time that we can say, “I have nothing else to do in my walk with the Lord.” It is true that Paul said to Timothy that he had finished his race, but the context must be considered –

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8

In his words, the surrounding verses tell us that Paul’s race was ending only because of his anticipated death. In the verses following this, he continued to give instruction to Timothy which confirmed he was still active and would continue until that day had arrived.

Even if we are on our deathbed, there is no reason to keep silent about Jesus. If a doctor or nurse comes in, it is time to tell them the good news. If an unbelieving family member comes by, it is time to speak about the hope you possess. Let us continue in the good fight until we can no longer speak. Eternal destinies are being decided in those we encounter from moment to moment.

Heavenly Father, give us the strength to speak out about Jesus until our dying breath. And more, instill in us the desire to do so. If we fail to speak, we may miss the only chance someone ever has to hear the good news about Your offer of peace and reconciliation. Yes, Lord, help us to do this until our final day arrives. Amen.