Atos 19
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 19
Guzik writes that Paul had plans to go to Jerusalem and then Rome and "yet things did not work out according to his plans. He did go to Rome, yet not as a missionary on his way to Spain. He went to Rome as a prisoner awaiting trial before Caesar, where he would preach the gospel on a different kind of frontier. God had unexpected frontiers for the Gospel in Paul’s life, giving him unexpected access to preach to the emperor of Rome himself. After his release from the Roman imprisonment at the end of the Book of Acts, we have reason to believe that Paul did in fact make it to Spain and preached the gospel there. (The Enduring Word Commentary Series) James Anderson sums up this transitional passage and Paul's subsequent journeys (there is some repetition of the preceding material but it is probably worthwhile as this section can be somewhat confusing regarding timing of events) - News had reached him "I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you" (1 Cor 1:11), and that there was trouble in Corinth, regarding divisions, immorality, the misuse of spiritual gifts, and doctrine. Hence he wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians from Ephesus to correct them. He wrote later "We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. (2Co 1:8NLT). Such was the state of his soul as he contemplated this trouble in Corinth. He intended to go to Corinth "I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills" (1 Cor 4:19), with a rod or in love. But he would not go until he heard of the effects of the First Epistle upon the Corinthians. He awaited the return of Titus with news. He moved on to Troas, but still Titus had not arrived, and he had no rest in his spirit as if he could not preach there although the door was opened by the Lord (2 Cor 2:12-13). So he passed over into Macedonia, where at last he met Titus, who brought good news of the Corinthians' repentance ( - "But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more....13 For this reason we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.)(2 Cor 7:6, 7, 13). He therefore wrote Second Corinthians to precede him down to Corinth, the first nine chapters referring to the majority who had repented, but the last four chapters referring to the minority who would not repent. In 2 Cor 8:1-9:27 he took the opportunity to remind the Corinthians about the collection being gathered for the poor believers in Jerusalem. Exactly what happened when he finally reached Corinth we are not told; Acts 20:2-3 refer to this visit lasting three months ("When he had gone through those districts and had given them much exhortation, he came to Greece. 3 And there he spent three 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." - Acts 20:2-3). Paul's plans are similarly found in Ro 15:23-28, an epistle written from Corinth. He wrote that he would go first to Jerusalem (Ro 15:25), and then he would "come by you into Spain" (Ro 15:28). His visit to Jerusalem would be to take the gifts from the Galatian churches, from the Macedonian churches and from Corinth. Then he would proceed to Spain via Rome—a journey that would have taken months by sea. He planned "by the will of God" (Ro 15:32), but the divine will was quite different for His servant. Instead he would be taken prisoner in Jerusalem, kept in Caesarea for several years, and then he would arrive in Rome still as a prisoner. Prayers are not always answered according to one's asking, for Paul asked the Romans to pray that he might "that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea" (Ro 15:31), but this was not to be so in the will of God. (What the Bible teaches – Acts and James) Acts 19:22 And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. NET Acts 19:22 So after sending two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, he himself stayed on for a while in the province of Asia. GNT Acts 19:22 ἀποστείλας δὲ εἰς τὴν Μακεδονίαν δύο τῶν διακονούντων αὐτῷ, Τιμόθεον καὶ Ἔραστον, αὐτὸς ἐπέσχεν χρόνον εἰς τὴν Ἀσίαν. NLT Acts 19:22 He sent his two assistants, Timothy and Erastus, ahead to Macedonia while he stayed awhile longer in the province of Asia. KJV Acts 19:22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. ESV Acts 19:22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. ASV Acts 19:22 And having sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. CSB Acts 19:22 So after sending two of those who assisted him, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. NIV Acts 19:22 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer. NKJ Acts 19:22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time. NRS Acts 19:22 So he sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he himself stayed for some time longer in Asia. YLT Acts 19:22 and having sent to Macedonia two of those ministering to him -- Timotheus and Erastus -- he himself stayed a time in Asia. And having sent into Macedonia - Ac 16:9,10 18:5 20:1 2Co 1:16 2:13 8:1 11:9 1Th 1:8 those who ministered to him - Ac 13:5 16:3 Erastus: Ro 16:23 2Ti 4:20 Acts 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus - The last time Luke had mentioned Timothy was in Acts 18:5+ "when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia." It is interesting that clearly Timothy was with Paul in much of this 3 year period in Ephesus and yet Luke makes no mention of his presence or his duties. Also exactly when during his 3 year stay in Ephesus that Paul sent them to Macedonia is not clear. While not definitively stated their mission was likely to facilitate the collection of funds to be carried to Jerusalem by Paul once he arrived (see Acts 20:1-2). One other interesting note that Silas who had been mentioned multiple times in Acts 15-18 is not mentioned again after his last appearance being in Acts 18:5 when he and Timothy came from Macedonia to Corinth freeing up Paul to give full time to the Gospel. Silas in Acts - Acts 15:22; Acts 15:27; Acts 15:32; Acts 15:34; Acts 15:40; Acts 16:19; Acts 16:25; Acts 16:29; Acts 17:4; Acts 17:10; Acts 17:14; Acts 17:15 Longenecker commenting on Luke's omission of Silas after Acts 18:5 points out that "But while Luke's interest in the last chapters of Acts is focused solely on his hero Paul, that is no reason for us to assume that others were no longer with Paul. For example, Titus is not mentioned at all by Luke, but Paul refers to him as having been extensively involved at various times during the Gentile mission (cf. 2Cor 2:13; 7:6, 13-14; 8:6, 16, 23; 12:18; Gal 2:1, 3; 2Tim 4:10; Titus 1:4). (Ibid) Erastus is mentioned only 3 times in the NT. Ro 16:23+ Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer greets you, and Quartus, the brother. 2 Ti 4:20+ Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus. I am unsure how to resolve comments by some like Longenecker who does not think the Erastus in Romans 16:23 is the same man as here in Acts 19:22 writing "This is the first time we hear of Erastus, though in 2 Timothy 4:20 he is spoken of as a well-known companion of Paul's who had a special interest in the church at Corinth. That he was the treasurer of Corinth referred to in Romans 16:23, however, is not at all likely. (ED: HE GIVES NO REASON FOR A FAIRLY DOGMATIC STATEMENT!) (The Expositor's Bible Commentary – Volume 9: John and Acts) Kistemaker comments that "In 1930, archaeologists in Corinth discovered a slab of pavement stone that bears the inscription, "Erastus, commissioner of public works, sustained the cost for this pavement." We do not know whether all these references are to the same person or to more than one man." (Baker New Testament Commentary – Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles) He himself stayed in Asia for a while - This stay would include the mob scene described in Acts 19:23-41. We cannot be sure how long he was without Timothy and Erastus, but clearly he was not alone for there are disciples with him (Acts 19:30).
Atos 19
Guzik - It has often happened in the history of Christianity that when God moves among His people and they become very serious about their Christianity, that it affects the livelihood of those who trade in vice or immorality. For example, in the early years of the Salvation Army, they were so effective that pimps and bar owner organized a “Skeleton Army” to oppose them with threats and violence—and even a few Salvation Army workers were murdered. Acts 19:29 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. NET Acts 19:29 The city was filled with the uproar, and the crowd rushed to the theater together, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, the Macedonians who were Paul's traveling companions. GNT Acts 19:29 καὶ ἐπλήσθη ἡ πόλις τῆς συγχύσεως, ὥρμησάν τε ὁμοθυμαδὸν εἰς τὸ θέατρον συναρπάσαντες Γάϊον καὶ Ἀρίσταρχον Μακεδόνας, συνεκδήμους Παύλου. NLT Acts 19:29 Soon the whole city was filled with confusion. Everyone rushed to the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, who were Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia. KJV Acts 19:29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. ESV Acts 19:29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel. ASV Acts 19:29 And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel. CSB Acts 19:29 So the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's traveling companions. NIV Acts 19:29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater. NKJ Acts 19:29 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. NRS Acts 19:29 The city was filled with the confusion; and people rushed together to the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's travel companions. YLT Acts 19:29 and the whole city was filled with confusion, they rushed also with one accord into the theatre, having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's fellow-travellers. The city was filled with the confusion: Ac 19:32 17:8 21:30,38 dragging along Gaius : Ro 16:23 1Co 1:14 Aristarchus: Ac 20:4 27:2 Col 4:10 Phm 1:24 the theater: 1Co 4:9 Acts 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Remains of the Amphitheater at Ephesus THE UPROAR BECOMES A CONFUSING PUBLIC SPECTACLE A good word picture of this scene is our English word pandemonium is defined as a wild uproar because of anger or excitement in a crowd of people. Now catch this - what is even more fascinating is to study the derivation of the word pandemonium - PAN- + Late Latin daemonium "evil spirit," borrowed from Greek daimonion "evil spirit," earlier "divine power, inferior divine being," derivative of daímōn "divinity, divine power, individual destiny" (with -ium probably to be read as Latin -ium or Greek -ion, suffixes of place). Surely that is apropos to this satanically inspired spectacle! He would do anything to stamp out the Gospel progress and the main proclaimer Paul! Spiritual warfare is real and is really dangerous, so be sure to put on the full armor of God every day! (Eph 6:10-17+). The city was filled with the confusion - This logically follows for in Acts 19:28 the people was filled with rage and rage virtually always gives way to confusion. Luke now describes how the "venom" from Demetrius had spread throughout the city, causing in effect a mob scene.
Atos 19
Guzik writes - Think of how this echoes to our own time, and see the strangeness of our world. People say today, in words, actions, time or dollars spent: “Great is my sports team!” “Great is my political party!” “Great is the consumer economy!” “Great is internet porn!” “Great is material wealth!” “Great is getting drunk or getting high!” And yet if one says, “Great is the Lord Jesus Christ”—they are regarded by many as strange. For all the supposed greatness of Diana of the Ephesians, no one worships her today (at least directly). Yet there are millions and millions today who live for and worship Jesus Christ, and who would willingly die for Him. Idols and false gods all have expiration dates—Jesus of Nazareth lives forever. NET Note - The extent of the tumult shows the racial and social tensions of a cosmopolitan city like Ephesus, indicating what the Christians in such locations had to face. Jack Arnold - While we must deplore their idolatry, we cannot help but be impressed with their dedication and devotion to Artemis. Their enthusiasm strikes us. Their zeal cannot be denied. While they were motivated by pride, selfishness and hatred, their zeal for a false god was truly amazing. What about our zeal for the true God, Christians? Do we have as much commitment to the true God as they had to a false god? Of course, we are not asked to meet in mass meetings and shout slogans, but are we willing to move among men and cry out, “Great is Jehovah! Praise to His Son, Jesus Christ!” Are we as committed to Jesus Christ as others are to their false gods? Men can become very dedicated to false religion because all false religion is motivated by the Devil. Men can have great religious zeal and still be infinitely separated from the true God as He is manifested in Christ. Recently we have seen the kind of devotion fanatical, cultic worshippers can give one man. Nine hundred persons of the People's Temple in Guyana are dead, half voluntarily committed suicide, in order to be a faithful follower of a demon possessed man, the Rev. Jim Jones. Men can be sincerely devoted to a religious cause and be sincerely wrong. (Sermon) Acts 19:35 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? NET Acts 19:35 After the city secretary quieted the crowd, he said, "Men of Ephesus, what person is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the keeper of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image that fell from heaven? GNT Acts 19:35 καταστείλας δὲ ὁ γραμματεὺς τὸν ὄχλον φησίν, Ἄνδρες Ἐφέσιοι, τίς γάρ ἐστιν ἀνθρώπων ὃς οὐ γινώσκει τὴν Ἐφεσίων πόλιν νεωκόρον οὖσαν τῆς μεγάλης Ἀρτέμιδος καὶ τοῦ διοπετοῦς; NLT Acts 19:35 At last the mayor was able to quiet them down enough to speak. "Citizens of Ephesus," he said. "Everyone knows that Ephesus is the official guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, whose image fell down to us from heaven. KJV Acts 19:35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? ESV Acts 19:35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, "Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? ASV Acts 19:35 And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? CSB Acts 19:35 However, when the city clerk had calmed the crowd down, he said, "Men of Ephesus! What man is there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple guardian of the great Artemis, and of the image that fell from heaven? NIV Acts 19:35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: "Men of Ephesus, doesn't all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? NKJ Acts 19:35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: "Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? NRS Acts 19:35 But when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, "Citizens of Ephesus, who is there that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple keeper of the great Artemis and of the statue that fell from heaven? YLT Acts 19:35 And the public clerk having quieted the multitude, saith, 'Men, Ephesians, why, who is the man that doth not know that the city of the Ephesians is a devotee of the great goddess Artemis, and of that which fell down from Zeus? Men of Ephesus: Eph 2:12 guardian of the temple of - Ac 19:26 2Th 2:10,11 1Ti 4:2 which fell down from heaven - Ac 14:12,13 Acts 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries TOWN CLERK TAKES CHARGE After quieting the crowd, the town clerk said - Note how when this city "CEO" appeared, the crowd quieted down to listen! He was the chief city officer, like our modern day mayors and were the locally elected executive official most responsible for what took place in the city. And he realized that the Roman authorities would hold him culpable for any riot that might break out! Quieting (2687)(katastello from kata = down + stello = repress) means to restore order, restrain, bring under control, quell, assuage, pacify. Louw-Nida - to bring something under the firm control of someone. The usages of this word indicate that the one calming others is one of authority.