The life of the apostle Paul as related in Scripture, but in which his epistles are inserted in that part of the history to which they are supposed respectively to belong; with selected notes, critical, explanatory, and relating to persons and places

Front matter

ODODfiElfilHh

Or v .

I*

Section II

From the conversion, to the second visit to Jerusalem,

IT appears that one of the first journeys of our apostle was into Arabia, though it is difficult to fix the precise time. It is however clear that it was before he visited Jerusalem in the character of a disciple. From Arabia he returned to Damascus. It is also difficult to ascertain whether a peril which he incurred in Damascus, and his escape from the danger, happened before or after his Arabian journey. It is thus related by his historian Luke, and by himself; whose accounts are blended, to embrace every particular.

xi But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving* that this is very Christ. And after that many days were fulfilled*, the Jews took counsel to kill him ; but their lying in wait was known of Saul :

Acts ix. 22. Proving."] The gognes of Damascus, ver. 20„,

original word implies, proving 2. That going thence into Arabia,

by accumulated arguments. between two and three years.

Acts ix. 23. And after many after, he returns to Damascus,

days were fulfilled.'] The series Gal. i. 17; and of this journey,

of the history, says Whitby, Luke, being not with him, gives

seems to be this: 1st. That St. no account. 3. Qn his return,

Paul, after his conversion, in- being increased in strength and

gtantly preaches in the syna- wisdom^ he continues many

( 8 ) Sect. ii.

and they watched the gates day and night to kill him. And the governor under Aretas the king kept the city with a garrison, desirous to apprehend him ; but the disciples took him by night, and let him down through a window, by the wall, in a basket, and he escaped/' (Acts ix. 22 — 25, compared with 2 Cor. xi. 32, S3.)

It may be proper to remark that Damascus at this time was governed by an Arabian prince. About eighty-four years before the Christian asra, Antiochus DionysiiiSj king of Damascus, had invaded Arabia Petrasa, a country lying south of Palestine, and then also Hinder the dominion of a king named Aretas: which was probably, like Pharaoh, Ptolemy, and Cassar, an assumed name. Antiochus was slain in Arabia, and a neighbouring prince set up his pretensions to the crown of Damascus. But the people of Damascus rejected them ; and chose Aretas for their king. The transaction recorded in Actsix. and 2 Cor. xi. happened about one hundred and twenty years after this assumption of the crown by the Arabian. . Arabia, at the time of Paul's visit, contained probably a number of Christians: for among the strangers who were witnesses of the gifts of tongues at the ever memorable Pentecost, were Arabians, Acts ii. 11. Commentators, not being able to find

days in Damascus, proving that fifteen days, Gal. i. 18, 19.

Jesus was the Christ. 4. That 5. That there Christ appears to

after three years, escaping from him in a vision; commanding

Damascus, he comes to Jeru- him to depart out of Jerusalem;

salem, and is by Barnabas and he accordingly goes thence

brought to the apostles Peter to Csesarea and to Tarsus, Acts

and James, and continues there ix. 30. Gal. i, 21.

Sect. ii. . ( 9 )

from any history, what Paul was employed in during his residence in Arabia., have supposed that the time was passed in study, and in learning more fully of the Arabian believers, the gospel doctrines. But if it be necessary always to supply the want of certainty by conjecture, it seems more probable that his business was not so much to learn, as to teach Christ : for it is related almost in the same breath with his conversion, that straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues of Damascus.

His first visit to Jerusalem, after his conversion, was a short one, for the purpose of seeing Peter, with whom he staid two weeks; but he did not at that time see any other of the apostles except James. (Gal. i. 18. 19.) To this short visit we must refer the transactions which are described by Luke, in the following words:

'* 26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples : but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he w T as a disciple. 27 But Barnabas* took him, and brought him to the apostles*, and declared unto them how he

Acts ix. 27. Barnabas."] Nabba, consolation. Sec Beza

This famous person is thought, on xYcts, iv. 36. with every probability, to be Ibid. The Apostles]. Namely

Joses the Levite, mentioned those then in Jerusalem, Peter

Acts iv. 36. as having brought and James. This is James the

into the common stock the price son of Alpheus, commonly

of his land ; who, says the text, called James the less ; and in

was called Barnabas by the Gal. i. 19, James the Lord's

apostles, which is, being inter- brother.— See note on that verse,

preted, a son of consolation. James the son of Zebedee, and

Junius derives this name from brother of John, was killed by

the Syriac Bar, a son, and Herod Agrippa. Acts xii. 2.

( 10 ) Sect. ir.

had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem*. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians*: but they went about* to slay him. 3 ° Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea*, and sent him forth to Tarsus." (Actsix.)

It is probable that it was during this residence in the Jewish capital that he had the vision in the temple, of which he speaks in the following terms :

" 17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; 1S and saw him saying unto me, { Make haste, and get thee quickly out of £ Jerusalem ; for they will not receive thy testimony c concerning me/ 19 And I said, c Lord, they know e that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them

* that believed on thee : 20 and when the blood of ' thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing 'by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the ' raiment of them that slew him/ 21 And he said ' unto me, 'Depart: for I will send thee far hence

* unto the Gentiles/' ( ch. xxii.}

Acts ix. 28. Let this verse Acts ix. 29. Grecians.] Fo-

fake iu the words, and he spake reign Jews, then at Jerusalem,'

Ivldlij in the name of the Lord who spoke the Greek language.

Jesus, Begin the next thus, See note on Phil. iii. 5.

conformably to thcGr. And he Ibid. They went about.']'

conversed and disputed With the Gr. Ivey&^i they took in hand,

Grecians. *EA«A& rz xai wvi^th they endeavoured. A

* r.A. A Acts ix. 30. Ctesarea.] De*

Sect. ii. (11)

It has been related that a great dispersion of the believers took place after Stephen's martyrdom, occasioned in great measure by Saul's ill treatment. " t9 Now" says the text ( ch. *i.) "they which were scattered abroad, upon the persecution* that arose about Stephen, travelled as far as Phenice*, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus* and Cyrene*, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them : and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem : and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.* 24 For he was a good man, and full of the

scribed in note on Acts xxi. 8. Crete. It seems it contained

Acts xi. 19. Persecution.] Jews, so widely were they then

Rather trouble or affliction : dispersed, probably for the sake

Sxi-^eus. A of trade. Cyrene lay about 400

Ibid. Phenice.'] Or Phoe- miles west of Alexandria. These

nicia. A maritime district of men of Cyrene were, when at

Syria. See note on Acts xxi. 2. Antioch, about 1000 miles from

Tyre and Sidon belong to this thdr country by land, and 700

district: for accounts of which by sea ; but it is possible, Judea

cities see, respectively, notes was their residence,

ou Acts xxi. 3. and xxvii. 3. A Ibid. Cyprus.] See note on

Acts xi. 20. Cyrene.'] A ch. xiii. 4.

large city of that part of Africa Acts xi. 23. Cleave unto the

which lies on the Mediterranean, Lord.~] Gr. continue with the

opposite to Peloponnesus and Lord, zj^oa-^miv rf K^w. A

>ECT. ir.

Holy Ghost and of faith : and much people was added tinto the Lord. 25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus,, for to seek Saul : 26 and when he had found him, he "brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people*. And the disciples were called Christians* first in Antioch. 27 And in those days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 2S And there stood up one of them, named Agahus, ami signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world : which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cassar. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief* unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea : 3 ° which also rhey did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and SauL"

Acts xi. 26. Were called Christians.] As this name has a Latin termination, it is supposed ,to have been given to the disciples by the Romans. Luke, in his history, and Paul, in his epistles, do not make use of it.

Peter adopts it, 1 Pet. iv. 16. and some have thought it is that worthy name, mentioned James ii. 7. Before this name came into use, the disciples were stiled Galileans and Nazarenes by their enemies, and disciplts. saints, brethren, by themselves,. Mack night.

It may be hence concluded that the believers at Antioch were now numerous ; otherwise heathen people had not taken so much notice of them. Lardncr, Cred. vol. % p. 72.

Acts xi. 29. To send rem lief, cS*c] It is to be noted that it was the constant custom of the Jews in their dispersions, to send money into the land of Canaan, for the sustaining of the poor there. St.

Paul was therefore careful that the unbelieving Jews should not outdo the Christians, in thos« offices of chanty towards their brethren hi Judea. Whitby.

Sect. ii. { 13 )

We have no particular account of the manner In which Barnabas and Saul executed their mission at Jerusalem. It is probable they did not remain long in that city, for we read that iS Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark." (xii. 25.)

Section III

Travels rvith Barnabas in Asia Minor ; and residence at Anlioch.

AS Antioch was so conspicuous a scene of primitive gospel transactions, it may be proper to advert to the state of that city, when it was the residence of our apostle. It had become the capital of Syria, and is said to have contained about six hundred thousand inhabitants. It was built by Seleucus, one of the generals of Alexander the Great, who, after the death of that conqueror, divided among them his empire. Syria had been in dispossession of Antigorius, another of his generals, who from a governor of a province had raised himself to royalty ; and who had built, on the river Orontes, a city which he called Antigonia, and which he designed for his metropolis. Seleucus conquered Antigonus, seized the upper Syria, razed to the ground the new city, and, with the materials, at no great distance on the Orontes, built Antioch: naming it probably in honour of his father, who was called Antiochus. About four miles from Antioch stood Daphne, which was considered as a suburb,

Acts xiii. ( 14 ) Sect.

hi.

Seieucus planted there a grove of vast extent, in the midst of which he built a temple to the false deities,, Apollo and Diana., or to the sun and moon. Daphne was used as a delightful retreat by the people of Antioch ; and voluptuousness reigned there to an unbounded degree, which rendered it so infamous, that Daphne manners were proverbial for a luxurious and dissolute life. To the citizens of such a city the purity of the gospel was offered, and Antioch became afterwards so eminent for Christianity, as to be called Theopolis : which implies City of God. It continued for nearly one thousand six hundred years the chief city of the east. It is now called Antakia, and is a heap of ruins. Seieucus also built, lower down on the Orontes, Seleucia, whence the apostles embarked for Cyprus : and also the city Antioch in Pisidia, both mentioned in the chapter which next offers itself to the reader's attention, as follows :

ch. xiii. " Now T there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers ; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Gyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Kerod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, * Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work wheref unto I have called them/ 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away*. 4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia ; and from thence they

Acts xiii. 3. Sent them azcag.] in the next, is rightly rendered, Rather dimissed^ set them at li- sent forth. A bcrty. Gr. LirzKuaxi. 'ExTr^xf 0sj»t«

Sect. in.

Acts xiii.

sailed to Cyprus*. 5 And when they were at Salamis, thev preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews : and thev had also John to their minister, *And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus : 7 which was with the deputy* cf the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man ; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas* (the sorcerer, for so is his name by interpretation), withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the

Acts xiii. 4. Cyprus.'] A large of the accurate knowledge which island in the north-east part of Luke, the author of the Acts, the Mediterranean sea. Salami* had of Roman politics : because and Paphos Mere the ports at Cyprus was then really a prowhich, respectively, the apostle consular province, landed and embarked. The Acts xiii. 8. Elymds.~] There island was noted for the wor- is a difficulty in understanding ship of the pretended goddess (what seems implied by our Venus, Mho took her name translation) that this word is Cypris from this island. Paphos the interpretation of Bar-jesus; was famous for a temple built which simply means Son of to her, and was, of course, a Joshua. Purver says, Elymas place of dissolute manners. We is formed from an Arabic word are not always a^eare into what atama, which imports, to knozo. impure regions, the apostles car- I would add that the word Worried the pure light of truth. Cy- cerer, is not here a good transprus was the native country of lation of the Gr. word (j.xyos, Barnabas, Acts iv. 36. for Jews It should rather be magian* abounded there. We see that Now this, as it implies a person there were synagogues in Sala- of knowledge or skill, may be mis. said to be an interpretation of

Acts xiii. 7. Deputy.] This Elymas. It is probable that,

-should have been translatedPro- because Magians often used

consul, Gr. 'AvSvtfoit©*. Lard- their arts for wicked purposes.

Her rem;;rks 3 it is an instance these sinister arts were called

Acts xiii.

*S

ECT. III.

faith. 9 Then Saul (who also is called Paul* ), filled with (he Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 and said, c O full of all subtilty and all mischief*, thou child of c the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou e not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 1 Ji And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon ' thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for 6 a season/ And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness : and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

" 13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia*: and John, magic arts, and their practisers, Magicians : a word now, by "use, synonymous with Sorcerers.

It may be remarked, that the word in Matth. ii. 1. translated Wise men, is in Gr. yux,yoi } magi* or magians.

The Magians were Eastern philosophers, versed in the mathematics of the remote age in which they lived, and particularly in the mysteries of the Persian religion : and a knowing man and a magian were almost equivalent terms. A

Acts xiii. 9. The change of Saul's name has occasioned several conjectures. One is, that either he did it out of respect to this Sergius Paulus, his convert; or at least that some of the proconsul's family first, called him Paulus, which we contract to Paul.

Our industrious biographer Cave inclines to the opinion of Origen, viz. that both his names were given to him at his circunu cision : Saul, as being a eommon one in the tribe of Benjamin, derived from the king of Israel, who is well known to have been a Benjamite ; and Paulus, in reference to the Roman corporation, of which he was born a member. A

Acts xiii. 10. Mischief.'] Not merely mischief, but promptitude for mischief: ethkgyt*, easy working — or, ready working.

Acts xiii. . Pamphylia*

Sect. hi.

Acts xiii.

departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. 14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia*, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath-day, and sat down*. 15 And, after the reading of the law and the prophets*, the rulers of the a district on the south coast of Asia Minor, now a part of modern Caramania. Perga was the capita]. Like Ephesus, it hud a famous temple of Diana, to which, according to Strabo, there was a solemn annual resort.

Acts xiii. 14. Pisidia was north of Pamphylia. Of Antioch, its capita], mention is already made in the beginning of this section.

Ibid. Sat dozen.] The foling notes (copied from Burder, 1252 and 1254) will elucidate much of this passage:

The custom of reading the Scriptures publicly was an appointment "of Moses, according to the Jews. It was also usual to stand at reading the law and the prophets. Some parts of the Old Testament were allowed to be read sitting or standing ; as, particularly, the book of Esther. Common Israelites, as well as priests and Levites, were allowed to read the Scriptures publicly. Every sabbath-day seven persons read ; a priest, a Levitt;, and live Israelites.

The third part of the synagogue service was expounding iha Scriptures and preaching t3 the people. The posture in which this was performed, whether in the synagogue or in other places, was sitting. Accordingly, when our Saviour had read in the synagogue at Nazareth, of which he "was a member, having been brought up in that city; instead of retiring to his place, he sat down in the desk or pulpit; and it is said that the eyes of all were fastened upon him ; as they perceived by his posture that he was going to preach to them. And when Paul and Barnabas went into the synagogue at Antioch and sat down, thereby intimating their desire to speak to the people if they might be permitted ; the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, and gave them leave. Acts xiii. 14, 15. A.

Acts xiii. 15. Law and pro*, phets.] The custom of reading the law. the Jews say, existed

Sect, nt.

synagogue sent unto them, saying, e Ye men and breth- ' ren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the peoc pie, say on/ 16 Then Paul stood up, and, beckoning* with his hand, said, f Men of Israel, and ye that fear e God, give audience. 47 The God of this people of e Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when f they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and c with an high arm brought he them out of it. ,8 And * about the time of forty years suffered he their manf ners * in the wilderness. a9 And when he had dea hundred and seventy years before the time of Christ. The division of it into sections is ascribed to Ezra. The five books of Moses, here called the law, contained fifty-three sections ; so that by reading one on each sabbath, and two in one day, they read through the whole in the course of a year ; finishing at the feast of tabernacles.

When Antiochus Epiphanes burnt the book of the law, and forbid the reading of it, the Jews, in the rooni of it, selected some passages out of the prophets, which they thought came nearest in words and sense to the sections of the law, and read them in their stead ; but when the law was restored again, they still continued the reading of the prophetic sections. Burder. 1313. A.

Acts xiii. 16. Beckoning.'] Waving. Gr. xbtwc/ow. A.

Acts xiii. 18. Suffered he their manners.'] There has been some contention among critics, whether the word Irgott^o^m^ thus rendered, was not originally written eTpo<po$opicrBv } that is, he nourished them. Thus the Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopia translators seem to have read.

It seems to suit the context full as well as the common reading.

Doddridge prefers the latter ? and says candidly thus : This is the proper import of the word srpoTretpopvio-W) and it was very lit to give this oblique intimation of that perverseness and ingratitude which so early began to prevail among them. The Syriac renders it by a word which signifies to nourish or to educate^ so that Beza conjectures they read Irfotyotpopncrir; and it suggests so beautiful a view of theconduct of Providence towards them in this respect, that I

Sect, hi.

Acts xiii.

* stroved seven nations* in the land of Chanaan, he ' divided their land to them by lot. 20 And after that,, c he gave unto them, judges about the space of four ' hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

* 21 And afterward they desired a king: and God* gave ' unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of ■ Benjamin, by the space of forty years. 22 And when ' he had removed him, he raised up unto them Da\id,

* to be their king : to whom also he gave testimony, ' and said, 'I have found David the sou of Jesse, a man f after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. 5 ' 23 Of this man's seed hath God, according to his proc mise, raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus : 24 when ' John had first preached, before his coming*, the bapf tism of repentance to all the people of Israel. "And ' as John fulfilled his course, he said, f Whom think ye (i that I am ? I am not he. But behold, there cometh rt one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy <! to loose/ 26 Men and brethren, children of the stock ' of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, ' to you is the word of this salvation sent. 27 For they could not forbear inserting the thought, though I prefer the common and almost universally received reading. Bod. in loc.

Acts xiii. 19. Seven nations.] Namely, the Hittites, Gergashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Doddridge.

Acts xiii. 24. Before his comwg.] Gr. Before the face of his coming. cr^o ^eza-wna rns states aim. As if the apostle had that passage in his mind, " Behold I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.'* Mark i. 2. or rather, as it is not likely Paul should advert to Mark, the passage in Malacfri iii. 1. where in the Septuagtnt, thongh not in our translation, the word face ? rogoo-tosw; occurs. A.

Agts xiii. ( 20 ) Sect. hi.

' that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they c knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets " which are read every sabbath-day, they have fulfilled e them, in condemning: Mm. 28 And though thev found € no cause of death in Mm, yet desired they Pilate that c he should be slain. 29 And when they had fulfilled ■ all that was written of him, they took Mm down from c the tree*, and laid him in a sepulchre. 30 But God { raised him from the dead : 31 and he was seen many ' days of them which came up with him from Galilee 6 to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

* 32 And we declare unto you glad tidings: how that e the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33 God c hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that

* he hath raised up Jesus again ; as it is also written in c the second psalm, c Thou art my Son, this day have I " begotten thee/ 34 And as concerning that he raised c him up from the dead, now no more to return to cor- € ruption, he said on this wise, ( I will give you the ce sure mercies* of David/ 35 Wherefore he saith also, e in another psalm, ' Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy te One to see corruption/ 36 For David, after he had ' served his own generation by the will of God, fell e on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corc ruption. 37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no ( corruption. 38 Be it known unto you therefore, men

Acts xiii. 29. Took him down ently he answered all that could

from the tree ] The apostle be objected from thence, by

was far from being ashamed to what he testified concerning his

mention the most ignominious resurrection. Doddridge. parts of his Master's sufferings, Acts xiii. 34, Merciet>.~\ Gr.

to those who were strangers to rat qgtixj holy things, the gospel : knowing how sumci.

Sect. hi.

Acts xiii.

e and brethren, that through this man is preached une to you the forgiveness of sins : 39 and by him all ' that believe are justified from all things, from which ' ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Be- ' ware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is * spoken of in the prophets : 41 c Eehold, ye despisers, " and wonder, and perish*; for I work a work in iC your davs, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, " though a man declare it unto yoij/' 42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. 43 Now when the con oregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious

Acts xiii. 41. Perish.~\ Gr. ppafio&ars. We might render this, Bide yourselves. The text in Habakkuk i. 5. is Ci Wonder marvellously."

Acts xiii. 43. Religious Proselytes."] The wide dispersion of the Jews among the Gentiles, by the Assyrian and Babylonian captivity, and their extreme passion for commerce, which led them to plant themselves in all the chief cities of tl\Q Gentiles, were not, says Macknight, accidental events ; "but were brought about by Providence, to prepare the world for the reception of the gospel. The Jews, having from the beginning, possessed the knowledge of the only true God, the maker and governor of the world, carried fhat knowledge with them into the Gentile countries where il^ey resided ; and imparted it to all around them, who were willing to receive it. And having multiplied exceedingly in their dispersion, at the time Saul went among the Gentiles to preach the gospel, he found in every city and country great numbers, not only of his own nation, but of the Gentiles whom the Jews had turned from idols to worship the only true God. These enlightened Gentiles were called by the Jews, Religious or zi-orskipping proselytes ; because they assembled with the Jews in their synagogues ; also because they joined them in hearing the writings of Moses and the prophets read. Macknight's Life of Paul) p. %U