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Acts Chapter
Nineteen
I.
Content of the Chapter
Paul Preached in
I. Believers in
II. Paul preached from the synagogue to the school
(v.8-9).
III. He preached the word of the Lord widely two years
with his mouth and hands (v.10-12).
IV. The heretical men impersonated him and they were
overpowered them and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified (v.13-17).
V. Many people came confessing and burnt their
magician books and the
word of the Lord grew mightily (v.18-20).
VI. Paul purposed in the Spirit
when he had passed
through
VII. Demetrius
a silversmith
incited the workers of similar occupation
to reject Paul’s preaching (v.23-27).
VIII. The
whole city of
IX. The crowd was quieted and dismissed by the city
clerk (v.35-41).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Acts. 19:1 “And it happened
while
Apollos was at
YLT: “And it came to
pass
in Apollos' being in
Meaning of Words: “
Literal Meaning: “while Apollos was at
“Having passed through the upper regions” “The upper regions” refers to the inland
of
“Came to
“And finding some disciples” The word “disciples” refers to
“Christians” in other scriptures (Acts. 6:1
2
7; 9:1
10
19
25
26
38;
11:26
29; 13:52; 14:20
22
28; 15:10; 16:1; 18:23
27) and therefore it is no
exception here. The disciples here may be the fruits that Apollos bore when he
had not fully understood the truth in the beginning and therefore their
knowledge of salvation was not complete (See v.3; Acts. 18:25-26).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Paul rushed about to preach the gospel and
experienced hardships. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the
gospel of peace
and bring glad tidings of good things (Rom. 10:15)!
2) The original meaning of “
3) Before men have completely understood the truth
of the Bible
they could also be “the disciples” of the Lord because men become
the Lord’s disciples according to the pure faith instead of doctrines and
knowledge.
Acts. 19:2 “he said to them
‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ So they said to him
‘We
have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.’”
YLT: “he said unto them
`The Holy Spirit did ye receive -- having believed?' and they said unto him
`But we did not even hear whether there is any Holy Spirit;'”
Literal Meaning: “Did you receive the Holy
Spirit when you believed?” According to the
original structure of this verse
“believe” and “receive” have the same tense
showing that “believing in the Lord” and “receiving the Holy Spirit” happen
simultaneously and “receiving the Holy Spirit” is not a gift that one receives
after he has “believed in the Lord”. It shows that what Paul asked here is the
indwelling of the Holy Spirit instead of the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit.
The purpose that Paul asked this question is not to
figure out whether they have been saved but to judge whether they have
sufficient knowledge of the truth of salvation. After they had made up the
missed lesson
Paul was able to speak to believers in Ephesus when he wrote the
Book of Ephesians later
“you…believed
you were sealed with that Holy Spirit
of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance” (Eph. 1:13-14). The greatest
assurance of believers of the New Testament that they enjoy the salvation lies
in their awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
“We have not so much as heard whether
there is a Holy Spirit.” Though they had
heard the Lord Jesus (it includes His birth
crucifixion
resurrection and
ascension) and therefore they believed in Him
they did not understand that
those who had believed in the Lord had to receive the Holy Spirit.
Though the Holy Spirit can
not be seen by eyes
be heard by ears
or be touched by hands
He can be felt
by those who have received Him (John. 3:8). Nevertheless
the assurance that
men receive the Holy Spirit by faith is not according to the signs and miracles
that are manifested upon them by the Holy Spirit or men’s inner uncommon sense
but according to the teaching of the word of God (the Bible).
Controversial Clarification:
Some Bible exegetes held that the twelve
disciples (See v.7) were the disciples of John the Baptist (See v.3) instead of
Christians. And it was no wonder they had not received the Holy Spirit or even
heard the existence of the Holy Spirit. And therefore they had not been saved.
This opinion was wrong and the reasons were as follows: 1) Paul did not correct
their faith
in other words
their faith was out of question; 2) if they had
not been saved
Paul was preaching that men could be born from above by
baptism. However
men are born above by the inner faith instead of the outer
behavior of baptism; 3) men’s being saved is not according to their knowledge
of the Holy Spirit
in other words
men experience the work of the Holy Spirit
first and then know Him; 4) what they had not received referred to the Holy
Spirit that “came” upon them instead of the Holy Spirit that dwelled in them;
when they believed in the Lord
they had been born by the Spirit and received
the dwelling of the Holy Spirit
however
they had not experienced the
out-pouring of the Holy Spirit just as what believers had experienced on the
Pentecost (See v.6); 5) we cannot say that men do not have the Holy Spirit
because they do not have the assurance that the Holy Spirit come upon them. The
Holy Spirit dwells in men when they believe and receive the Lord; 6) the
Spirit’s dwelling in men is not gained by baptism or being laying hands on; 7)
if we say that only those who have experienced that the Spirit came upon them
and had the proof of speaking with a tongue and prophecies are counted that
they have saved
it is against the truth of “justification by faith” in the New
Testament. And probably today many so-called Christians have not been saved; 8)
in Christians’ spiritual experience
most of them know the coming of the
Spirit
speaking with a language
prophesying and etc after they have been
saved.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Preachers should do what they can to know the
real conditions of believers and then they are able to give them the necessary
spiritual help.
2) Christians should not be careless in faith. If
there is something wrong in the foundation of faith
we cannot run well in the
way.
3) In the Spiritual conflicts
the building up of
truth is indispensable (Eph. 6:14); once there is a break in truth
we may be
broken through by Satan and the overcall collapse will be brought in.
4) Nobody is able to believe in the Lord Jesus
without the reception of the Holy Spirit because we believe in the Lord Jesus
by the Spirit (1Cor. 12:3).
5) The Holy Spirit “now” dwells in believers and
works in the church; the Holy Spirit is the embodiment of Jesus Christ. By the
Spirit
we are able to enjoy all the riches of Christ.
Acts. 19:3 “And he said to them
‘Into what then were you baptized?’
So they said
‘Into John's baptism.’”
YLT: “and he said unto
them
`To what
then
were ye baptized?' and they said
`To John's baptism.'”
Literal Meaning: “Into what then were you
baptized?” Paul asked this
question and it does not mean that “baptism” and “receiving the Holy Spirit”
are absolutely related to “the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit”. He wanted to
ask them whether they had the correct knowledge of salvation by their way of
baptism.
“Into John's baptism” “John’s baptism” stresses on the negative
dealing. It shows that one has ended the sin that he has abandoned God in the
past by immersing himself in water and therefore it is also called “the baptism
of repentance” (See v.4).
These disciples may be the
fruits that Apollos bore when he had not understood the way of God completely
however
it does mean that they only believed in John the Baptist and did not
believe in the Lord Jesus because Apollos also “spoke
and taught accurately the things of the Lord” (Acts. 18:25).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If men’s knowledge of truth is lacked
though it
is not so serious that they cannot be saved
it will influence their condition
how they run in the heavenly way after they have been saved. And therefore
teachings of truth are extremely importantly.
2) If preachers want to understand the conditions
of believers
they should know how to catch hold of the main points
just as
doctors inquire patients
and then they will find out the defects fast.
Acts. 19:4 “Then Paul said
‘John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance
saying
to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him
that
is
on Christ Jesus.’”
YLT: “And Paul said
`John
indeed
did baptize with a baptism of reformation
saying to the people
that in him who is coming after him they should believe -- that is
in the
Christ -- Jesus;'”
Literal Meaning: “John indeed baptized with a
baptism of repentance” John baptized men
and he emphasized that men had sins because their minds were far away from God
and against Him. And therefore they had to “repent”------turn their minds to
God.
“Saying to the people that they should
believe on Him who would come after him
that is
on Christ Jesus” What John did was of enlightenment and
preparation. It made men feel the need of the gospel and brought men believe on
Jesus Christ who would come after him (Matt. 3:11); only when men believe His
blood-shedding death of redemption on the cross will their sins be remitted
(Heb. 9:22).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We should learn the skill in helping others from
Paul: use explanation instead of criticism------he did not criticize that
“John’s baptism” was good-for-nothing but affirmed its function and then led
men to pursue the further step.
2) It is the first step of religious life to come
to understand that one is sinful. However
if he ends there or wants to improve
it by himself
the end shall be sad.
Acts. 19:5 “When they heard this
they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
YLT: “and they
having
heard
were baptized -- to the name of the Lord Jesus
”
Literal Meaning: “they were baptized in the
name of the Lord Jesus” “were baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus” could also be translated as “were baptized
to the
name of the Lord Jesus”. Name represents the reality of a person and the name
of the Lord Jesus represents the reality of Jesus Christ. Men’s being baptized
in the name of the Lord Jesus is men’s being brought into the Lord and to have
the mysteriously spiritual union with Christ so that men are able to use His
mighty name and walk in His name.
This verse again proves that
these disciples were Christians because those who have been baptized must have
believed in the Lord Jesus and have received Him as their own Savior
otherwise
men are not qualified to be baptized in the name of the Lord. It is the only
written case in the Bible that men received baptism again. The baptism of
repentance brings men to turn to Christ and the baptism in the name of the Lord
makes men enjoy the riches in the Lord practically and be partakers of the body
of Christ. The gifts of the Holy Spirit (See v.6) are related to the body of
Christ (1Cor. 12). And therefore men have to partake in His body by baptism
(1Cor. 12:13) and then they could receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1Cor.
12:27-28).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The baptism that we receive when we are ignorant
(e.g. babies) and have not repented or been saved is not effective and we
should receive the baptism again when are clear.
2) Believers’ being baptized is not a little thing;
the true baptism makes men experience the death and resurrection of the Lord (
3) Believers are baptized to the name of the Lord
Jesus instead of the name of any spiritual group or spiritual giant. And
therefore we should not exalt any “organization” or “individual”
lest we
offend the sovereignty of Christ.
Acts. 19:6 “And when Paul had laid
hands on them
the Holy Spirit came upon them
and they spoke with tongues and
prophesied.”
YLT: “and Paul having
laid on them [his] hands
the Holy Spirit came upon them
they were speaking
also with tongues
and prophesying
”
Literal Meaning: “And when Paul had laid
hands on them
the Holy Spirit came upon them” It is one of the several places in which it is
written that the Holy Spirit came upon men through men’s laying hands (Acts.
8:16-17). “Laying hands” means union and blessing. Paul
the apostle of the
Lord
received believers as the members of the body
representing the body of
Christ
so that they partook in the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It is like
the precious ointment upon the head
that ran down upon the beard
even Aaron's
beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments (Ps. 133:2).
Please note that here the
Holy Spirit came “upon them” instead of entering “into them”. And therefore the
Spirit here refers to the out-pouring Spirit instead of the “indwelling”
Spirit. Here He is the Spirit of gifts instead of the Spirit of life.
Controversial Clarification: the Charismatic Christians always use v.2-6
in this chapter to prove that those who have been saved shall receive the out-pouring
and the gifts of the Holy Spirit and be able to speak with tongues and
prophesy. However
the Bible is explained wrongly: the “special” works of the
Holy Spirit in the early church of the New Testament are explained as the
“common” works.
From the moment that men believe in the
Lord Jesus
the Spirit dwells in them (1Cor. 6:19)
He testifies in them that
they have been saved (Rom. 8:16)
He seals them (Eph. 1:13-14) and baptizes
them into the body of Christ (1Cor. 12:13); the Holy Spirit guides men in
everything (
The “special” works of the Holy Spirit
are to divide the spiritual gifts to every man severally as he will (1Cor.
12:11) and to give some people the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts. 2:4;
8:17; 10:44; 19:6).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Holy Spirit “came upon them” until the
believers in Ephesus “were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (v.5)
showing that the Holy Spirit bears witness of the Lord Jesus; every spiritual
activity won’t be sealed by the Holy Spirit if it does not magnify the name of
the Lord.
2) The Spirit’s coming upon men is related to
“laying hands on” and it implies that the Spirit is for the body of Christ; we
have to live in the body of Christ (the church) and then we could fully
experience the great power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts. 19:7 “Now the men were about
twelve in all.”
YLT: “and all the men
were
as it were
twelve.”
Literal Meaning: “about” means
“around
as if
like
as
as it were” and it is the word that Luke usually used
(Luke. 1:56; 3:22
23; 9:14
28; 22:41
44
59; 23:44; 24:11; Acts. 2:3
41;
4:4; 5:36; 6:15; 9:18; 10:3).
Acts. 19:8 “And he went into the
synagogue and spoke boldly for three months
reasoning and persuading
concerning the things of the kingdom of God.”
YLT: “And having gone
into the synagogue
he was speaking boldly for three months
reasoning and
persuading the things concerning the reign of God
”
Literal Meaning: “spoke boldly” is a
word in the original and it means “pouring out all that one wishes to say
without reservation”.
“Reasoning concerning the things of the
“And persuading” “persuading” means
“convincing”
explaining the truth in order to bring the minds of the other
into submission.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) This verse expresses the main points of
preaching the gospel: a) “spoke boldly”
without misgiving; b) “for three months”
make steady efforts; c) “reasoning”
explain
identify and correct; d) “the things of the kingdom of God”
focus on the central subject; e) “and
persuading”
persuade earnestly and tirelessly.
2) The prohibition of preaching the gospel: a) be
shy and afraid of men; b) be impatient; c) do not regard the feelings of the
other; d) be unintelligible; e) be rude and immodest.
Acts. 19:9 “But when some were
hardened and did not believe
but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude
he departed from them and withdrew the disciples
reasoning daily in the
YLT: “and when certain
were hardened and were disbelieving
speaking evil of the way before the
multitude
having departed from them
he did separate the disciples
every day
reasoning in the school of a certain Tyrannus.”
Literal Meaning: “when some were hardened and
did not believe” Some Bible
exegetes held that “being hardened” refers to the rational rejection; “did not
believe” is “disobeying” in the original and it refers to the obstinate will.
“But spoke evil of the Way before the
multitude” “The Way” refers
to the gospel.
“Reasoning daily in the
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Though Christians love men
we cannot bear that
the Way that we believe is spoken evil by men.
2) “He departed from them and withdrew the disciples” When Christians cannot have the normal
testimony of Christians among unbelievers
the best way is to “go out from
them” (Is. 52:11). Many times
there is not testimony without departure.
3) Paul spent three month preaching in the
synagogue (v.8)
however
the moment he saw the wrong condition
he “departed
from them” resolutely without any reluctance; Christians should learn to decide
what to do.
4) Christians should learn to make use of
environments and make the worldly places and implements serve the gospel.
Acts. 19:10 “And this continued for
two years
so that all who dwelt in
YLT: “And this happened
for two years so that all those dwelling in
Literal Meaning: “And this continued for two
years” Concerning the
“two years” here
“three month” in v.8 and “a time” in v.22
Paul stayed in
Ephesus more than two years at least. It was consistent with Paul’s saying of
“three years” in the next chapter (Acts. 20:31) because the time less than one
year was counted as one year according to the custom of the Jews.
“So that all who dwelt in
The seven churches (Rev. 1:4
11) that were
mentioned in the Book of Revelation may be established during the two years
(See 1Cor. 16:19). According to Paul’s own statement
when he stayed in
“Heard the word of the Lord Jesus” Paul may use two ways to make people in
that area all heard the gospel: 1) not only himself but also those whom he had
taught also went out to preach the gospel everywhere; 2) men from various
places came to hear Paul preaching and then returned to their own places to
preach the gospel and establish the churches.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord’s workers themselves not only preach
diligently
but also train believers and make them join the group of preachers
and then the great achievement will be gained.
2) Christians should be willing to be instructed
and equip ourselves in order to do their bit in the Lord’s works and share the
good points of the gospel with men.
Acts. 19:11 “Now God worked unusual miracles
by the hands of Paul
”
YLT: “mighty works also
-- not common -- was God working through the hands of Paul
”
The
Background: at that time
the
Ephesians were superstitious about false gods and idols (See v.35) and they
were easily influenced by signs and miracles. And therefore God worked signs
and miracles by the hands of Paul with the background of age and intention.
Today in the uncivilized countries and areas
God always worked signs and
miracles by the hands of believers.
Literal Meaning: please note that it
is not that Paul worked miracles at his own will but that God worked signs and
wonders “by the hands of Paul”. Later even if the fellow-workers of Paul were
sick
God did not let Paul heal them by miracles (Pill. 2:27; 1Tim. 5:23; 2Tim.
4:20). It shows that miracles cannot be done randomly by those who have the
gifts and men are able to work miracles according to the will of God when they
are driven by God.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Most Christians cannot work miracles by their
“hands”
however
if we are willing to devote our hands to God. Though
everything that God drives us to do seems to be “usual”
it is “unusual”
actually.
2) Today
God is still searching for the hands that
He could use because the overwhelming majority of believers seem to be willing
to listen to the domination of God
and actually they are unwilling to move one
finger for the arrangement of God.
Acts. 19:12 “so that even
handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick
and the
diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.”
YLT: “so that even unto
the ailing were brought from his body handkerchiefs or aprons
and the
sicknesses departed from them; the evil spirits also went forth from them.”
Meaning of Words: “body”: skin
integument (the medical term).
Literal Meaning: “so that even handkerchiefs
or aprons were brought from his body”
“handkerchiefs” may be the piece of cloth that Paul used to wipe the sweat away
and it was usually bound to his wrist; “aprons” refers to the leather working
apron that he wore before him when he made tents.
Enlightenment in the Word: If believers truly live for the Lord
therefore
those whom he is related to and the things that he uses will be separated by
God.
Acts. 19:13 “Then some of the itinerant
Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus
over those who had evil spirits
saying
‘We
exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.’”
YLT: “And certain of the
wandering exorcist Jews
took upon [them] to name over those having the evil
spirits the name of the Lord Jesus
saying
`We adjure you by Jesus
whom Paul
doth preach;'”
Meaning of Words: “exorcise”: command
by the way of curse and threat.
Literal Meaning: “some of the itinerant
Jewish exorcists” refer to the Jews
who travelled everywhere and made money by exorcism.
“Took it upon themselves to call the
name of the Lord Jesus” “Taking it upon
themselves” means deciding
acting and utilizing on their own without
permission.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Whenever God works with His mighty power
Satan
is ready to obstruct and oppose by the way of imitation so as to make men be
confused about true and false.
2) The name of the Lord Jesus cannot be called or
appropriated randomly. If our conditions are wrong
even if we preach
cast out
demons and do many wonderful works in the name of the Lord
we won’t be praised
by the Lord (Matt. 7:22-23).
3) The name of the Lord Jesus is the greatest
inheritance that the Lord gives to the church because He has entrusted Himself
to us in His name; if we indeed appropriate the name of the Lord under the
“worthy” condition
the Lord Himself will take all the responsibility so that
the thing that we declare in the name of the Lord shall be fulfilled.
Acts. 19:14 “Also there were seven
sons of Sceva
a Jewish chief priest
who did so.”
YLT: “and there were
certain -- seven sons of Sceva
a Jew
a chief priest -- who are doing this
thing;”
Literal Meaning: “Sceva
a Jewish chief
priest” Sceva was not the
chief priest in Judaism at that time and he may be the heretic and call himself
the chief priest. It is said that at that time men believed that the Jewish
chief priest was able to call the name of Jehovah God which the common people
did not dare to call and therefore he had the special power to cast out demons.
Acts. 19:15 “And the evil spirit
answered and said
‘Jesus I know
and Paul I
know; but who are you?’”
YLT: “and the evil
spirit
answering
said
`Jesus I know
and Paul I am acquainted with; and ye
-- who are ye?'”
Literal Meaning: “and Paul I know” it shows that the power of darkness also
knows those who are truly of the Lord Jesus.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The evil spirit knows the servants who are truly
of God; “what we do” before men must be of “who we are” before God and then
what we do will be of spiritual value.
2) Even Satan knows and fears the one who is truly
of spiritual.
3) The evil spirit not only knows the spiritual
reality------“Jesus
I know
and Paul I know”
but also is able
to look through the spiritual hypocrisy------“but who are you?” The hypocrisy
is forbidden in the spiritual conflict.
4) We should manifest Christ who is in us
otherwise the evil spirits do not fear us even if we have the position of
“chief…” (See v.14) in the church.
Acts. 19:16 “Then the man in whom the
evil spirit was leaped on them
overpowered them
and prevailed against them
so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”
YLT: “And the man
in
whom was the evil spirit
leaping upon them
and having overcome them
prevailed against them
so that naked and wounded they did flee out of that
house
”
Literal Meaning: “Then the man in whom the
evil spirit was leaped on them” Please note that
“the evil spirit” spoke previously (See v.15) and here “the man in whom the
evil spirit was” put it into practice.
“Overpowered them” Obviously among the seven men (See v.14)
only “them” were involved in this case.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “The evil spirit” speaks first (See v.15) and
then “the man in whom the evil spirit was” acted; the world always walk under
the domination of the evil spirit unconsciously.
2) Though the evil spirit and the man in whom the
evil spirit is are fierce and common people cannot oppose them
they are
powerless to Christians because in us dwells Christ who surpasses all power and
authority.
Acts. 19:17 “This became known both to
all Jews and Greeks dwelling in
YLT: “and this became
known to all
both Jews and Greeks
who are dwelling at Ephesus
and fear fell
upon them all
and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified
”
Meaning of Words: “was magnified”:
show great.
Literal Meaning: “and the name of the Lord
Jesus was magnified” Please note that
it is not that “the name of Paul” was glorified but that “the name of Jesus”
the Savior of Paul was magnified.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord could not only utilize the positive
things but also make use of negative things. The Lord always allows the enemy
to be in power temporarily and in the result His name is magnified.
2) Once the spiritual hypocrisy is removed
the
Lord Himself is exalted.
Acts. 19:18 “And many who had believed
came confessing and telling their deeds.”
YLT: “many also of those
who did believe were coming
confessing and declaring their acts
”
Literal Meaning: “confessing and telling
their deeds” is to confess sins
publicly that one had committed before he believed in the Lord. “Deeds” refers
to practice. In the original it means “the deeds of magic”
i.e. “who had
practiced magic” in v.19.
This verse shows the example of
“confessing”: 1) “many who had believed” shows that they were those who
believed and had been saved. It shows that confessing is not the prerequisite
for one’s being saved; 2) “many” refers to many of believers instead of all
believers and it shows that confessing is not the routine procedure that every
believer has to do; 3) “confessing
and telling their deeds” shows that they
bore witness publicly and condemned the wicked deeds that they did in the past.
It shows that confessing aims at the past sins before one had believed in the
Lord; 4) “their deeds” shows that only themselves are involved and others are
not involved. It shows that we should never confess for others. In conclusion
confessing is that the Holy Spirit works in men so that they reprove themselves
(John. 16:8) and they confess before the multitudes in order to glorify God. It
is the “result” of being saved in stead of the “reason”. It is not what every
believer has to do and it is done when one is inspired by the Holy Spirit. It
is not the order or the teaching but the result of the working of the Holy
Spirit.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Believers should never formalize their confessing;
the confession that is not from the inner heart is not only profitless to
himself and others but also brings about loss.
2) When believers confess
if the sin of others is
involved
we should take care and should not expose others
lest the accidental
adverse effect is brought in (e.g. one confessed that he had committed the
adultery with someone and the other was ashamed and committed suicide).
Acts. 19:19 “Also
many of those who
had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight
of all. And they counted up the value of them
and it totaled fifty thousand
pieces of silver.”
YLT: “and many of those
who had practised the curious arts
having brought the books together
were
burning [them] before all; and they reckoned together the prices of them
and
found [it] five myriads of silverlings;”
Literal Meaning: “many brought their books
together” “Books” refers to
the rough straw papers and parchments on which the curses and charms are
written.
“And they counted up the value of them
and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver” “Fifty thousand pieces of silver” was of high value at that time and it was
probably the wage of fifty thousand working days (See Matt. 20:2). Men were
willing to pay high price to buy these things with curses and charms because
they believed that these could remove disasters
heal disease and cast out
demons.
“Confession” is mentioned in the former
verse and “dealing with sin” is mentioned in this verse. Concerning the sins
that believers committed in the past
we should end them and deal with them; if
we only “confess sins” and do not “deal with them”
the sins may still return
back and entangle us. This verse shows us the points that we have to pay
attention to when dealing with sins: 1) concerning the things that are related
to evil and sins (such as idols
paraphernalia of gambling
tools for
divination and licentious painting and calligraphy)
the best way is to burn
them and we should not sell them
lest these things harm others; 2) when
burning the evil and wicked things
we’d better bring them to the church and
burn them “in the sight of all”. On one hand we could encourage others and on
the other we could join forces to overcome the enemy; 3) we should deal with
sins regardless of price. Though the things were fifty thousand pieces of silver
we did not grudge. However
we should not
be extreme when dealing with sins
for example
we could sell the luxuries; we
may not burn the clothes that are not worthy of the Saints and we could alter
them if possible.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We have to deal with sins thoroughly
publicly
and completely.
2) If the job that we make a living before we
believe in the Lord is related to the evil spirit or sin
we should deal with
it completely and make a clean break with it. If we are reluctant to give it up
or still bear it in mind constantly though we have given it up temporarily
we
will be entangled by it (See Heb. 12:1).
Acts. 19:20 “So the word of the Lord
grew mightily and prevailed.”
YLT: “so powerfully was
the word of God increasing and prevailing.”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Today if Christians also deal with the past sins
and burn the licentious books
tools and others and it must be helpful to the
prevailing of the word of the Lord.
2) Only when believers confess and repent indeed
will the word of the Lord prevail in the church.
3) “So” is meaningful: when the sin is out
the
Lord comes in
men receive grace and God’s power and authority is greatly
manifested.
Acts. 19:21 “When these things were
accomplished
Paul purposed in the Spirit
when he had passed through
YLT: “And when these
things were fulfilled
Paul purposed in the Spirit
having gone through
Meaning of Words: “purpose”: put
settle.
Literal Meaning: “to go to Jerusalem” The aim that Paul went to Jerusalem this
time was to help the poor Saints there and brought the contribution of the
churches in Macedonia and Achaia to the city of Jerusalem (Rom. 15:25-26).
“I must also see
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Paul’s view to the churches was quite
“macroscopic” and when the church in one place was in difficulty and in need
he encouraged the churches in other places to offer help. Though the churches
in various places are administratively independent
the churches connect and
communicate with each other in love.
2) Wherever Paul went
he went there with the
burden in the Spirit and the mission of the gospel. When believers go out for
travel
we’d better seek out the will of God (James. 4:13-15).
Acts. 19:22 “So he sent into
YLT: “and having sent to
Literal Meaning: “he sent into
“But he himself stayed in
Acts. 19:23 “And about that time there
arose a great commotion about the Way.”
YLT: “And there came
at
that time
not a little stir about the way
”
Literal Meaning: “that time” refers
to the time when Paul was about to depart from
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When the word of the Lord grew mightily (See
v.20)
the opposition and commotion of the enemy were also “great”. Believers
should not become slack when facing the spiritual conflicts.
2) The Lord’s true servants indeed “turn the world
upside down” (Acts. 17:6) and wherever they arrive
the power and order of the
darkness shall be shaken there and there will arise a great commotion. The
spiritual revival in the nineteenth century had great influence and even the
cinemas
pubs and brothels were all closed. It shows that the Way performed the
function of “the salt and light” towards the society.
Acts. 19:24 “For a certain man named
Demetrius
a silversmith
who made silver shrines of Diana
brought no small
profit to the craftsmen.”
YLT: “for a certain one
Demetrius by name
a worker in silver
making silver sanctuaries of Artemis
was bringing to the artificers gain not a little
”
Meaning of Words: “Demetrius” refers to the owner of the Greek grain god
Demetry.
Literal Meaning: “who made silver shrines of
Diana” “Diana” was the
popular female false god in the area of
Acts. 19:25 “He called them together
with the workers of similar occupation
and said: ‘Men
you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.”
YLT: “whom
having
brought in a crowd together
and those who did work about such things
he said
`Men
ye know that by this work we have our wealth;”
Literal Meaning: “He called them together
with the workers of similar occupation”
He joined the workers of similar occupation and took concerted action and it
was the essential factor of making greater effort.
“We have our prosperity by this trade” It shows that they put their interests
above truth and righteousness.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The worldly men even know to use the way of
“calling together with the workers of similar occupation”
however
the
fellow-workers of God always bite and devour one another (Gal. 5:15) and fight
and war (James. 4:1-2). The world is better than such workers.
2) Mammon is indeed the enemy of God (Matt. 6:24).
Men always act against God for the sake of money.
Acts. 19:26 “Moreover you see and hear
that not only at
YLT: “and ye see and
hear
that not only at Ephesus
but almost in all Asia
this Paul
having
persuaded
did turn away a great multitude
saying
that they are not gods who
are made by hands;”
Literal Meaning: “but throughout almost all
Asia
this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people” Paul made such great response during the
two years in
“They are not gods which are made with
hands” It is the best
definition of the visible idols. All figures that are engraved
molded
painted
or made with hands
no matter they are the characters in the Bible
the
spiritual giants and even the images of the Lord Jesus (it is not the real
images of the Lord but the images made by men’s imagination) are not God and therefore
we should not worship them.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Believers should not esteem the works of men
above what is written in the Bible (1Cor. 4:6)
lest we worship what are “made
with hands” as God unconsciously.
2) Every spiritual book is “made with hands” at
most and we could only use them to know God further
however
we should never
regard it as the Bible and even above the Bible.
Acts. 19:27 “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.’”
YLT: “and not only is
this department in danger for us of coming into disregard
but also
that of
the great goddess Artemis the temple is to be reckoned for nothing
and also
her greatness is about to be brought down
whom all Asia and the world doth
worship.'”
Meaning of Words: “the world”: the
habitable world.
Literal Meaning: “but also the temple of the
great goddess Diana may be despised”
“The temple of
the great goddess Diana” is one of the
“Whom all Asia and the world worship” It indicates that at that time within the
border of the province of Asia and the Roman Empire
there were about thirty
places worshiping the goddess Diana of Ephesus.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Not only the Gentiles always esteem god
apparently and plan for their own interests actually but also Christians
suppose that gain is godliness (1Tim. 6:5).
2) When the gospel comes to one place
the pocket
of the wicked shall be influenced there.
Acts. 19:28 “Now when they heard this
they were full of wrath and cried out
saying
‘Great
is Diana of the Ephesians!’”
YLT: “And they having
heard
and having become full of wrath
were crying out
saying
`Great [is]
the Artemis of the Ephesians!'”
Literal Meaning: “Now when they heard this
they were full of wrath” All the people
lost their minds in this way and they were like beasts and it is no wonder that
Paul remembered that he “had fought with beasts at
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.”
YLT: “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.”
Literal Meaning: “having seized Gaius and
Aristarchus
Macedonians
Paul's travel companions” Concerning “Gaius
Macedonian”
some Bible exegetes held that he was Gaius of Derbe in
the twentieth chapter (Acts. 20:4) and “Derbe” there was “Doberius” in some
Greek versions which was a city in Macedonia and it was not the Derbe in the
province of Galatia.
“Aristarchus” was a Thessalonian and he later
accompanied Paul to
“And rushed into the theater with one
accord” “The theater” was
an open theater where the Ephesians watched big events and it could hold about
twenty-five thousand people. At that time many open great gatherings were held
there.
Acts. 19:30 “And when Paul wanted to
go in to the people
the disciples would not allow him.”
YLT: “And on Paul's
purposing to enter in unto the populace
the disciples were not suffering him
”
Literal Meaning: “to the people” “the people” refers to “deemos” in the
original and here it refers to the mobs who gathered in the theater.
“The disciples would not allow him” Though Paul had the ambition to do
something regardless of personal safety for the Lord and fellow-workers
the
disciples thought that he did not need to risk the danger.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord’s words also tell us that
“Behold
I
send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as
serpents
and harmless as doves” We have to beware of men (Matt. 10:16-17).
2) We should learn both the utterly fearless
attitude from Paul and the cautious attitude from the disciples.
Acts. 19:31 “Then some of the
officials of
YLT: “and certain also of
the chief men of
Literal Meaning: “some of the officials of
“Who were his friends” “Friends” probably shows that they were
kind to Paul and were always willing to hear Paul preaching.
Acts. 19:32 “Some therefore cried one
thing and some another
for the assembly was confused
and most of them did not
know why they had come together.”
YLT: “Some indeed
therefore
were calling out one thing
and some another
for the assembly was
confused
and the greater part did not know for what they were come together;”
Enlightenment in the Word: the world always “follows the herd” and does not
know what they talk about. In the church we should not follow others to gather
together to stir up trouble but judge all things (1Thess. 5:20-21).
Acts. 19:33 “And they drew Alexander
out of the multitude
the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with
his hand
and wanted to make his defense to the people.”
YLT: “and out of the
multitude they put forward Alexander -- the Jews thrusting him forward -- and
Alexander having beckoned with the hand
wished to make defence to the
populace
”
Literal Meaning: “And they drew Alexander out
of the multitude” The “Alexander”
here may be not a believer but the Jewish leader in the city of
Acts. 19:34 “But when they found out
that he was a Jew
all with one voice cried out for about two hours
‘Great is Diana of the Ephesians!’”
YLT: “and having known
that he is a Jew
one voice came out of all
for about two hours
crying
`Great [is] the Artemis of the Ephesians!'”
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?”
YLT: “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?”
Literal Meaning: “And when the city clerk had
quieted the crowd” “The clerk” refers
to the Liaison Officer between the local organs of self-government and the
Roman provincial government and he usually acted chairmen of the mass meeting.
“And of the image which fell down from
Zeus” According to the local superstitions
an
image of a goddess with many breasts came down from above and it was made by
the hands of god in heaven. Actually it was an aerolite which looked like a
woman with many breasts.
Acts. 19:36 “Therefore
since these
things cannot be denied
you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly.”
YLT: “these things
then
not being to be gainsaid
it is necessary for you to be quiet
and to do
nothing rashly.”
Literal Meaning: “do nothing rashly”
“Do rashly” indicates acting recklessly and offending the law.
Acts. 19:37 “For you have brought
these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your
goddess.”
YLT: “`For ye brought
these men
who are neither temple-robbers nor speaking evil of your goddess;”
Acts. 19:38 “Therefore
if Demetrius
and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone
the courts are open and
there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.”
YLT: “if indeed
therefore
Demetrius and the artificers with him with any one have a matter
court [days] are held
and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another.”
Literal Meaning: “there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.” “Proconsuls” are the governors who were sent by the Roman
Government to the province of
“Bring charges against one another” It indicates that the private litigation
should be sued by the litigant and settled by the governor.
Acts. 19:39 “But if you have any other
inquiry to make
it shall be determined in the lawful assembly.”
YLT: “`And if ye seek
after anything concerning other matters
in the legal assembly it shall be
determined;”
Literal Meaning: “it shall be determined in
the lawful assembly” It indicates that
according to the conventions at that time
the governor always made a round of
inspection over every main city and held the mass meeting three times every
month in various cities in order to hear the important cases concerning the
public.
Acts. 19:40 “For we are in danger of
being called in question for today's uproar
there being no reason which we may
give to account for this disorderly gathering.’”
YLT: “for we are also in
peril of being accused of insurrection in regard to this day
there being no
occasion by which we shall be able to give an account of this concourse;'”
Literal Meaning: “we are in danger of being
called in question” “Being called in
question” indicates the investigation and blame of the Roman Government. At
that time the Roman Government permitted the approved mass meetings and did not
permit the illegal meetings or uproar.
Acts. 19:41 “And when he had said
these things
he dismissed the assembly.”
YLT: “and these things
having said
he dismissed the assembly.”
Meaning of Words: “the assembly” the
congregation that was gathered together.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Service of the Whole Person
II. “When Paul had
laid hands on…the Holy Spirit came upon them” (v.6)------the service of spirit.
III. “Speaking
boldly…reasoning and persuading” (v.8)------the service of month.
IV. “Speaking evil
of the Way…he departed from them” (v.9)------the service of head.
V. “God worked…by
the hands of Paul” (v.11)------the service of hands.
The Tricks that the Enemy Resisted the Truth
I. Making believers
lack the complete knowledge of the truth (v.1-4).
II. Making men be
hardened and not believe and even speak evil of the Way (v.9).
III. Making men
pretend to be believers and take it upon themselves to call the name of the
Lord Jesus (v.13-14).
IV. Make men rouse
the commotion and oppose the Way (v.23-32).
The Perfect Gospel
I. Repent and
believe on Jesus (v.4).
II. Receive the Holy
Spirit (v.2).
III. Be baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus (v.5).
IV. The Holy Spirit
comes upon them (v.6).
V. Heal the sick and
cast out evil spirits (v.12).
Three Kinds of Baptism
I. The baptism of
John------repentance (v.4).
II. The baptism in
the name of the Lord------faith (v.5).
III. The baptism of
the Holy Spirit------power (v.6).
The Description of the “Way”
I. The Way was
spoken evil of by unbelievers (v.9).
II. The Way was
preached so that all people heard the word of the Lord Jesus (v.10).
III. The word of the
Lord grew mightily and prevailed (v.20).
IV. There arose a
great commotion about the Way (v.23).
The Several “Greatness” in Acts. 19
II. The name of the
Lord Jesus was “magnified” (v.17).
III. Men paid “great
price” (fifty thousand pieces of silver) to deal with sins in order to hallow
the Lord (v.19).
IV. The word of the
Lord grew “mightily” and prevailed (v.20).
V. There arose a
“great” commotion about the Way (v.23).
VI. The
superstitious crowd cried out
“Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” (v.34).
What the Devil was not Afraid
II. It is not afraid
that men do something “by the Jesus whom Paul preaches” (v.13)------the
imitation.
III. It is not
afraid of “the son of a Jewish chief priest” (v.14)------the tradition.
IV. It is not afraid
of “who are you?” (v.15)------the appearance.
The Reason that the World Opposed Christians
II. “In danger of
falling into disrepute…be despised” (v.27)------the problem of vanity.
III. “Found out that
he was a Jew…” (v.34a)------the problem of race.
IV. “Great is Diana
of the Ephesians!” (v.34b)------the problem of superstition.
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren