Walking in the center of God's will
Wesley's
Comments on Paul in Acts
Odilon Massolar Chaves
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© 2026, Odilon Massolar Chaves
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All
glory to God!
Odilon
Massolar Chaves is a retired Methodist pastor, with a doctorate in Theology and
History from the Methodist University of São Paulo.
Son of
Rev. Adherico Ribeiro Chaves and Roza Massolar Chaves.
He is
married to RoseMary.
He has
two daughters: Liliana and Luciana.
His
thesis dealt with the Methodist revival in England in the eighteenth century
and its contribution as a paradigm for our days.
===============================
Table of Contents
·
Introduction
· At the center of God's will, Saul and Barnabas answer the call to
missionary work
· Being at the "center of God's will" does not mean the absence
of human conflicts
·
To be at the center of God's will is to have
persistence even under strong opposition and to be submissive to divine plans
·
Be
at the center of God's will even as we walk toward foreseen sufferings
·
Even though Paul is unmistakably at the center
of God's will (going to witness in Rome), he faces a violent storm
·
God's will is not synonymous with the absence of
difficulties, but with the guarantee of the fulfillment of His purposes
==============================
Introduction
"Walk in the Center of God's Will" is a 58-page book based on
the Acts of the Apostles with commentary by Wesley.
"To walk in the center of God's will is to live in obedience,
sanctification and submission to the Word, being considered the safest place,
with purpose and peace, even in the midst of battles. It involves constant
prayer, spiritual discernment, and trusting in divine direction, even if it
seems uncertain, putting God's purpose above personal desires." [1]
Being at the center of God's will does not mean
the absence of human conflicts.
To be at the center
of God's will is to have persistence even under strong opposition and to be
submissive to divine plans.
God's will is not
synonymous with the absence of difficulties, but with the guarantee of the
fulfillment of His purposes.
A study that edifies
us and calls us to be at the center of God's will.
The Author
==============================
At the center of God's
will, Saul and Barnabas answer the call to missionary work
In Acts 13, Paul (still called Saul) and Barnabas
demonstrate what it means to be at the center of God's will as they move from local
leaders in Antioch to missionaries impelled by the Holy Spirit. This chapter
marks the beginning of the first missionary journey and the official expansion
of the gospel to the Gentiles.[2]
Acts 13
Luke, the author of
Acts, wrote, "While they ministered to the Lord and
fasted, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work
to which I have called them.
Wesley explained this
call: Set apart for me
Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I called them–This was not
commanding them. St. Paul was ordained long before, and that not of men, nor by
man: it was only leading him into the province to which our Lord had appointed
him from the beginning, and which was now revealed to prophets and teachers.
One strategy was to go
to the synagogues: And while
they were in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the
Jews, and they also had John as their minister.
The author of Acts
said , "But when they had departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in
Pisidia, and entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.
Paul and Barnabas
faced opposition.
Paul gave a long
sermon.
Because of the
rejection of Jews, Paul decides to preach to the Gentiles. Wesley explained:
Not that they have stopped preaching to the Jews elsewhere. But now they
decided not to waste any more time at Antioch with their ungrateful countrymen,
but to employ themselves wholly in doing what they could for the conversion of
the Gentiles there.
Paul said, " For thus the Lord
commanded us, saying, 'I have made you a light of the Gentiles, that you may be
a salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the
work to which I have called them
Manahem, who had been
brought up with Herod - His foster-brother, now free from the temptations of a
court.
the Holy Spirit said
Luke, the author of
Acts, wrote, "While they ministered to the Lord and
fasted, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work
to which I have called them.
it was only leading him to the province to which our Lord had appointed
him from the beginning, and which was now revealed to prophets and teachers
Luke, the author of
Acts wrote further, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the
work to which I have called them—and Wesley said, This
was not commanding them." St. Paul was ordained long before, and that not
of men, nor by man: it was only leading him into the province to which our Lord
had appointed him from the beginning, and which was now revealed to prophets
and teachers.
They fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them
Wesley commented: In
consequence of this, they fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, a rite that
was used not only in ordination, but in blessing and on many other occasions.
Fasted and Prayed
And when they had
fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Then having fasted - Again. So they did
too, said Wesley.
preached the word of God in the synagogues of
the Jews
Luke wrote, " And while they were in
Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they
also had John as their minister.
In the synagogues - Using every
opportunity they offered, said Wesley.
They found a certain sorcerer, a false
prophet
Luke wrote: And as they passed
through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a
Jew, whose name was Bar-Jesus.
Paphos was to the
west, Salamis in the eastern part of the island, Wesley explained.
The Roman governor of Cyprus, a prudent man
Luke wrote, That he was with the
deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; that he called Barnabas
and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
The proconsul - The Roman governor
of Cyprus, a prudent man - And therefore not dominated by Elymas, but desirous
of asking further, Wesley explained.
Luke wrote, " Then Saul, who is
also called Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and looked at him,
Perhaps the proconsul's family could be the
first to address him or speak of him by that name
Luke wrote, "Then Saul, who
was also called Paul—It is not improbable, that coming now among the
Romans, they would naturally adapt his name to their own language, and so
called him Paul instead of Saul." Perhaps the proconsul's family may be
the first to address him or speak of him by that name. And from that time,
being the apostle of the Gentiles, he himself used the name that was most
familiar to them, said Wesley.
Full of all cunning and all wickedness, son
of the devil
Luke wrote, "And he said,
'Full of all craftiness and all wickedness, son of the devil, enemy of all
righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?'
O full of all cunning - Like a false
prophet, and all evil - Like a magician, said Wesley.
A well-suited title for a wizard
And Wesley explained, Thou son of the
devil - A title well suited to a magician; and one who was not only unjust,
but labored to keep others away from all goodness.
Will you not cease to
pervert the right ways of the Lord? "Even now you
have heard the truth of the Gospel," said Wesley.
Now therefore, behold, the hand of the Lord
is upon thee
Luke wrote, " Now therefore, behold, the hand of the Lord is
upon you, and you will be blind, and you will not see the sun for a
while." And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him; and he went
about looking for some to lead him by the hand.
And immediately a mist - Or darkness within,
and darkness without, fell upon him, said Wesley.
believed, marveling at the doctrine of the
Lord
Then the deputy,
seeing what had happened, believed, amazed at the doctrine of the Lord, wrote Luke:
Be surprised at the
Lord's doctrine - Confirmed by such a miracle, said Wesley.
John departed from them and returned to
Jerusalem
Luke wrote, "When Paul and
his crowd had departed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia, and John
departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.
Tired with tiredness, or shrinking from
danger
John withdrawing from
them came back - Weary with weariness, or shrinking from danger,
said Wesley.
they entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day
The author of Acts
said , "But when they had departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in
Pisidia, and entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.
Antioch of Pisidia – Different from the
Antioch mentioned Ac 13:1, explained Wesley
And after the reading of the law and the prophets
Luke wrote, " And after the reading
of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying,
Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people,
speak."
The law was read once a year, a part of it
every sabbath: to which was added a lesson taken from the prophets
And after the reading
of the law and the prophets, the ruler of the synagogue commanded them - Wesley said, The law
was read once a year, a part of it every sabbath: to which was added a lesson
taken from the prophets. After this was over, anyone could speak to the people
on any subject they saw fit. Yet it was a circumstance of decency which Paul
and Barnabas would scarcely omit, to acquaint the rulers with their desire to
do so: probably by some message before the commencement of the service.
Then Paul stood up
Luke wrote, " Then Paul stood up
and waved his hand and said, 'Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen to
you.'
Ye that fear God—Whether proselytes or
heathen, explained Wesley.
The God of this people of Israel chose our
fathers
Luke wrote, "The God of this
people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people, when they dwelt as
strangers in the land of Egypt, and brought them out of it with a haughty
arm."
The God–Wesley said, By such
a commemoration of God's favours to his parents, immediately their minds were
reconciled to the speaker, they were convinced of their duty to God, and
invited to believe in his promise, and the fulfilment of it. The six verses, Acts 13:17-22, contain the entire
sum of the Old Testament.
Paul here addresses himself chiefly to those
whom he names
Of this people–Paul here addresses
chiefly to those whom he names, Ye that fear God: he speaks of Israel first;
and Acts 13:26, speaks most directly
to the Israelites themselves, said Wesley.
Wesley further said, Chose - And this exalted
the people; not any merit or goodness of his own, Ezekiel 20:5.
Our fathers - Abraham and his
posterity. Isaiah 1:2.
And about the time of forty years
Luke wrote: And about the time of
forty years he suffered his customs in the wilderness.
That is, from the choice of parents to the
division of land
And when he had
destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he divided the land to them by
lots, wrote Luke:
Wesley said, Seven nations - Deuteronomy 7:1 enumerated; about four hundred
and fifty years - That is, from the choice of the fathers to the division of
the land; it was about four hundred and fifty years.
He gave Saul forty years
Luke wrote, "And afterward
they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the
tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years."
He gave them to Saul
forty years - Including the time when Samuel judged Israel,
said Wesley.
he raised up David to be their king
Luke wrote , "And when he
had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also
testified, and said, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my
own heart, who will do all my will."
Having removed it - Therefore they may
understand that the dispensations of God admit of various changes, said Wesley.
This expression should be taken in a limited
sense. David was like that then, but not at all times
Wesley explained
Paul's preaching: I have
found David, a man after my own heart - This expression
must be taken in a limited sense. David was like that then, but not at all
times. And he was so, in this respect, how he carried out the whole will of
God, in the particulars there mentioned:
But he was not a man after God's own heart,
in other respects, in that he carried out his own will
Wesley commented: But
he was not a man after God's own heart, in other respects, in that he
accomplished his own will. In the matter of Uriah, for example, he was as far
from being a man after God's own heart as Saul himself.
It is, therefore, a very gross as well as
dangerous mistake to suppose that this is David's character in every part of
his behaviour
Wesley stated: It is,
therefore, a very gross as well as dangerous mistake to suppose that this is
David's character in every part of his behaviour. We must beware of this,
unless we recommend adultery and murder as things after God's own heart (1
Samuel 16:12,13).
When John First Preached
When John first
preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of
Israel.
John having preached
first - He mentions it, as a thing already known to them. And so it was,
without a doubt. For it gave so loud an alarm to the whole Jewish nation, as
could not fail to be heard in foreign countries, at least as remote as Pisidia,
said Wesley.
Who do you think that I am?
Paul preached, " And when John had
finished his course, he said, "Who think you that I am?" I'm not him.
But behold, after me comes one whose sandals of my feet I am not worthy to
untie.
Your course - Your work was
quickly finished and therefore may well be called a course or race. Luke 3:16, said Wesley.
"Why did they not believe in Jerusalem,
and especially its rulers?"
Luke wrote of Paul's
preaching, "For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their princes, because they
did not know him, nor the voices of the prophets, which are read every sabbath,
have fulfilled them by condemning him."
Wesley explained: To them that dwell in
Jerusalem, and their rulers - He here anticipates a strong objection:
"Why did they not in Jerusalem, and especially therein rulers,
believe?" They do not know him, because they have not understood those
same prophets whom they have read or heard continually. Their very condemnation
of him, innocent as he was, proves that they did not understand the prophecies
concerning him.
They fulfilled all the things that were
written about him
Luke wrote, "And when all that was
written of him was fulfilled, they took him out of the tree, and laid him in a
tomb."
They fulfilled all the
things that were written about him—As far as they could
go, but no farther, said Wesley.
And he was seen many days by those who went
up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem
And he was seen many
days by those who went up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his
witnesses before the people.
He was seen many days
by those who went up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem - This last journey
presupposes all the rest, and was the most important of all, commented Wesley.
It is true, he was the Son of God from
eternity
Luke wrote about
Paul's preaching: God has done the same with us, his children, by
raising up Jesus; as it is also written in the second psalm: You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.
Wesley said, Thou art my Son, this
day have I begotten thee - It is true, he was the Son of God from eternity.
The meaning, therefore, is: I have declared you my Son this day. Like St. Paul
elsewhere, he declared himself to be the Son of God with power, by the
resurrection of the dead, Romans 1:4. And it is with
peculiar propriety and beauty that God is said to have begotten him, on the day
that he raised him from the dead, for he seemed then to be born from the earth
again. Psalms 2:7.
And as for raising him from the dead, that he
might return no more to corruption
And Luke wrote, "And as for
raising him from the dead, that he might not return to corruption, he said, 'I
will give you the sure mercies of David.'
No more to return to
corruption - That is, not to die anymore, said Wesley.
The Blessings Promised to David in Christ
Wesley explained, I will give you the
sure mercies of David—The blessings promised to David in Christ. These
are right, right, firm, solid, for every true believer in him. And therefore
the resurrection of Christ necessarily follows; for without this, these
blessings could not be given. Isaiah 55:3.
Thou shalt not allow thy Holy One to see
corruption
Luke wrote about
Paul's preaching: Therefore he also says in another psalm, 'You
shall not allow your Holy One to see corruption.'
He says—David in the name of
the Messiah. Psalm 16:10, Wesley explained.
For David, after having served his own
generation by the will of God, fell asleep
Paul preached, "For David,
after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, and was
buried to his fathers, and saw corruption."
David, having served
the will of God in his generation, fell asleep - Thus his service
did not extend beyond the limits of the common age of man: but the service of
the Messiah to all generations, as his kingdom to all ages, said Wesley.
This expression also refers to the soul and
presupposes its immortality
And Wesley further
commented: You have served the will of God - Why are you here,
you who are still in the world? Isn't it so that you too can serve God's will?
Are you serving now? Doing all your will? And it was added to his fathers - Not
only in the body. This expression also refers to the soul and presupposes its
immortality.
Everyone who believes is justified from all
things -
Has the royal forgiveness of all his sins
Paul preaching, "And through him
all who believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be
justified by the law of Moses."
Wesley commented, Whosoever believeth
is justified from all things - Has the real pardon of all your sins, at the
very moment of your belief; of which you could not be justified - Not only can
you not now; but you never could. For he offered no atonement for presumptuous
sins.
The division of the law into moral and
ceremonial was not so common among the Jews, as it is among us
Wesley explained: By the law of Moses -
The whole Mosaic institution! The division of the law into moral and ceremonial
was not so common among the Jews, as it is among us. Nor does the apostle here
consider this: but Moses and Christ are opposed to each other.
Paul preaching, " Take heed therefore
lest what is spoken in the prophets befall you;
Caution – A heavy, seasonal
warning. No rebuke is yet added to him, Wesley claimed.
Behold, ye despise, and marvel, and perish
Paul preaching, Behold , ye despise, and
marvel, and perish, for I am doing a work in your days, a work which ye shall
not believe, though a man tell you of it.
Said Wesley, I do a work which ye
shall not believe - This was originally spoken to those, who would
not believe that God would ever deliver them from the power of the Chaldeans.
But it is applicable to anyone who does not believe in God's promises or
works. Habakkuk 1:5.
The Gentiles begged that these words might be
preached to them on the following Sabbath
Luke wrote: And when the Jews came
out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to
them on the next Sabbath.
When the Jews were
going out–Probably many of them, not being able to bear to hear him, went out before
he had done, said Wesley.
Thus, the Jews call this day the Sabbath
Wesley explained, The sabbath between - Thus the Jews call
this day the sabbath between the first day of the month of Tishri (on which the
calendar year begins) and the tenth day of the same month, which is the solemn
day of atonement.
When the congregation was disbanded, many of the
Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas
Luke wrote: When the congregation was broken up, many of the
Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to
them, persuaded them to remain in the grace of God.
More familiarly, he persuaded them to
continue
Said Wesley, Who speaking with
them - Most familiarly, persuaded them to continue - For trials were at
hand, in the grace of God - That is, adhere to the Gospel or to the Christian
faith.
The word of God must first be spoken to you
Luke wrote, "Then Paul and
Barnabas dared and said, 'The word of God must first be spoken to you; but
because you turn it away from yourselves, and think yourselves unworthy of
eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.'
Then Paul and
Barnabas, speaking boldly, said, "Those who
hinder others must be publicly rebuked," said Wesley.
Though you are not worthy: he shows that he
had not preached to them, of any confidence of your belief, but seeing that you
think yourself unworthy of eternal life
Wesley said further, It was necessary - Though ye be not
worthy: he shows that he had not preached to them, of any confidence of their
belief, yet seeing that ye redeemed yourselves unworthy of eternal life - They
really judged none but themselves worthy of it. However, his rejection of the
Gospel was the same as saying, "We are unworthy of eternal life."
See! - One thing now present! An astonishing revolution! We turn to the
Gentiles –
But now they have decided not to waste any
more time in Antioch with their ungrateful compatriots
Said Wesley, Not that
they have stopped preaching to the Jews in other places. But now they decided
not to waste any more time at Antioch with their ungrateful countrymen, but to
employ themselves wholly in doing what they could for the conversion of the
Gentiles there.
I have made you a light of the Gentiles
Paul said, " For thus the Lord
commanded us, saying, 'I have made you a light of the Gentiles, that you may be
a salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
Paul explained, "For thus hath
the Lord commanded us—sending us and giving us the opportunity to
fulfill what he had foretold.
I have put thee - The Father speaks
to Christ. Isaiah 49:6.[3]
Being at the
"center of God's will" does not mean the absence of human conflicts
In Acts 15 and 16, the biblical narrative
shows that being at the "center of God's will" does not mean the
absence of human conflicts, but rather divine sovereignty acting through new
directions. Although Paul and Barnabas separated after a disagreement, both
continued in the missionary purpose, resulting in the multiplication of the
work[4].
Acts 16
Now when they had gone
through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and had
been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia,
And having passed
through Phrygia - And spake there what was sufficient, as well as in the region of
Galatia, being forbidden by the Spirit (probably by an inward dictation) to
speak yet in proconsular Asia, the time for him not having come, said Wesley.
Wesley said in his explanatory notes, Coming to Mysia and
passing through it, as part of Asia, they attempted to enter into Bithynia; but
the Spirit would not permit them—Forbidding them as before.
Luke recorded, "And a vision
appeared to Paul by night. A man from Macedonia stood there, and prayed to him,
saying, "Go over to Macedonia and help us."
A vision appeared to
Paul at night - It was not a dream, though it was at night. No other dream is
mentioned in the New Testament other than that of Joseph and Pilate's wife,
Wesley explained.
Wesley further explained, A man of
Macedonia - Probably an angel dressed in the Macedonian habit, or
using the language of the country, and representing the inhabitants of it.
Passing through Troas, we arrived in a
straight line to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis.
The doctor Luke was with the trip
and recorded the entire trip in the book of Acts.
We ran with a straight
course -
Which increased their confidence that God had called them, Wesley stated.
In Philippi the conversion of Lydia and the jailer took place, after an
earthquake opened the doors of the prison.
Verse 3
For they would not have talked to him as long
as he was uncircumcised
Said Wesley in his explanatory notes on the Bible, He took him
and circumcised him for the sake of the Jews—the unbelieving Jews, to whom he
planned him to preach. For they would not have talked to him as long as he was
uncircumcised.
Verse 6
forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the
word in Asia
Luke, a physician, Paul's companion, and author of the book of Acts,
recorded: Now when they had gone through Phrygia
and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to
preach the word in Asia,
being forbidden by the Spirit (probably by an
inner dictation)
And having passed
through Phrygia - And spake there what was sufficient, as well as in the region of
Galatia, being forbidden by the Spirit (probably by an inward dictation) to
speak yet in proconsular Asia, the time for him not having come, said Wesley.
Verse 7
Luke reported: After
they arrived in Mysia, they tried to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit would not
allow them.
but the Spirit did not allow them
Wesley said in his explanatory notes, Coming to Mysia and
passing through it, as part of Asia, they attempted to enter into Bithynia; but
the Spirit would not permit them—Forbidding them as before.
Sometimes a strong impression, for which we
are not able to give any explanation
Sometimes a strong impression, for which we are unable to give any
explanation, is not to be wholly despised, Wesley further stated.
Verse 9
And a vision appeared to Paul by night
Luke recorded, "And a vision
appeared to Paul by night. A man from Macedonia stood there, and prayed to him,
saying, "Go over to Macedonia and help us."
No other dream is mentioned in the New
Testament than that of Joseph and Pilate's wife
A vision appeared to
Paul at night - It was not a dream,
though it was at night. No other dream is mentioned in the New Testament other
than that of Joseph and Pilate's wife, Wesley explained.
Probably an angel dressed in the Macedonian
habit
He further explained, A man of Macedonia
- Probably an angel dressed in the Macedonian habit, or using the language of
the country, and representing the inhabitants of it.
Help us - Against Satan,
ignorance, and sin, Wesley added.
Verse 10
we tried to go immediately to Macedonia
Luke, author of the book of Acts, recorded, " And when he had seen the vision, we sought to go
immediately to Macedonia, knowing that the Lord had called us to preach the
gospel to them.
This is the first place in which St. Luke
suggests his presence in the apostle. And here he does it only obliquely. Nor
throughout history does he mention his own name, or anything he did or said in
the service of Christianity
Wesley said in his explanatory notes, We seek to go to
Macedonia -
This is the first place where St. Luke intimates his presence in the apostle.
And here he does it only obliquely. Nor throughout history does he mention his
own name, or anything he did or said in the service of Christianity; though
Paul speaks of him in the most honorable terms, Colossians
4:14; 2 Timothy 4:11; and probably
like the brother whose praise in the Gospel passed through all the Churches, 2 Corinthians 8:18.
The same observation can be made about the
rest of the sacred historians
He further commented: The same remark may be made about the rest of the
sacred historians, that each of them shows the same amiable modesty.
Verse 11
What increased their confidence that God had
called them
Luke recorded: Therefore, losing from
Troas, we came straight to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis;
We ran with a straight
course -
Which increased their confidence that God had called them, Wesley stated.
Verse 12
From thence to Philippi, which is the principal
city of that part of Macedonia
Neapolis was the first city they came to in
that part of Macedonia
Wesley commented, The first city
–Neapolis was the first city that they came to in that part of Macedonia which
was nearest to Asia: in that part which was farthest from it, Philippi. The
river Strymon flowed between them. Philippi was a Roman colony.
Verse 13
And on Saturday we left the city by the
river, where they used to pray
Luke, who accompanies Paul, said,
"And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by the river, where it was
customary to pray; and we sat down and spoke to the women who came there."
Jews generally held their religious
assemblies (by choice or constraint) at a distance from the pagans
Wesley commented, We went out of the gate
- The Jews generally held their religious assemblies (by choice or constraint)
at a distance from the heathen: by the bank of a river - Which was also
convenient for purifying oneself.
Where prayer used to
be done -
Though it does not appear that there was any house built there, said Wesley.
At first in a familiar way
Wesley commented: We talked -
At first in a familiar way. Paul did not immediately begin to preach.
Verse 14
the Lord opened his heart
Luke, the author of the book of Acts, recorded, "And a woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, from
the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard us, and the Lord opened her
heart, that she might hear the things which were said about Paul.
The Greek word correctly refers to the
opening of the eyes
Wesley commented, A worshipper of God
- Probably familiar with the prophetic writings whose heart the Lord opened-
The Greek word rightly refers to the opening of the eyes: and the heart hath
its eyes, Ephesians
1:18.
These are closed by nature and opening them is the peculiar work of God.
Verse 15
And when she and her house were baptized
Luke shows that he was at that time with Paul and Silas, and said, "And when she and her house were baptized, she
begged us, saying, 'If you have judged me faithful to the Lord, come into my
house and stay there.' And it embarrassed us.
Who can believe that in so many families
there were no children? Or that the Jews, who had been accustomed to circumcise
their children for so long, would not now devote them to God by baptism?
Wesley said in his explanatory notes: She was baptized, and
her family -
Who can believe that in so many families there was no child? Or that the Jews,
who had been accustomed to circumcise their children for so long, would not now
devote them to God by baptism? She besought us - The souls of the faithful
cling to those by whom they have been won to God.
She embarrassed us
Wesley said, " She has embarrassed us —By her importunity. They
did not obey immediately, lest any one imagine that they sought their own
profit by coining in Macedonia.
Verse 17
These men are servants of the Most High God
Luke includes himself in
history and says: These followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying,
'These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of
salvation.'
These men are - A great truth: but St.
Paul did not, nor would he accept, such a testimony, Wesley clarified.
Verse 19
And when their masters saw that the hope of
their gain was lost, they seized Paul and Silas
Wesley commented: The magistrates
- The supreme magistrates of the city. In the next verse they are called by a
title which usually signifies praetors. These officers exercised both military
and civil authority.
Verse 20
These men, being Jews, disturb our city a lot
Luke was not arrested
either, and said, "And they brought them to the magistrates, saying,
'These men, being Jews, are very much troublesome to our city,
To be Jews - A nation peculiarly
despised by the Romans, Wesley clarified.
Verse 21
But this is a property of the truth of the
Gospel: it has something peculiarly intolerable to the world
Luke recorded: And they teach customs
that it is not lawful for us to receive or observe, being Romans.
Wesley said, And teach customs which it
is not lawful for us to receive - The world has received all the
rules and doctrines of all the philosophers that ever were. But this is a
property of the truth of the Gospel: it has something peculiarly intolerable to
the world.
Verse 23
And when they had put many stripes on them,
they threw them into prison
Luke saw all this and recorded: And when
they had put many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the
jailer to keep them safe.
They put many stripes upon them -
Either they did not immediately say that they were Romans, or in the tumult was
not considered, said Wesley.
Accusing the jailer
Wesley commented: Accusing the jailer
- Perhaps more to calm the people than because they considered them criminals.
Verse 24
Luke saw and recorded, "Who, having
received this trust, cast them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet
in the stocks.
These were probably those large pieces of
wood, in use among the Romans
Wesley said, Fastened his feet in the
stock - These were probably those large pieces of wood, in use among
the Romans, which not only carried the prisoner's legs, but also kept them
stretched out in a very painful manner.
Verse 25
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and
sang
Wesley commented: Paul and Silas sang a
hymn to God - Despite weariness, hunger, scourging, and blood.
And the prisoners
heard - A
song to which they were not accustomed, Wesley clarified.
Don't hurt yourself, 'cause we're all here
Luke recorded, " But Paul cried with
a loud voice, saying, 'Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.'
Said Wesley in his explanatory notes: But Paul cried out - As they were all in
the dark, it is not easy to tell, as Paul knew of the jailer's purpose, unless
it was by some immediate warning from God, which is by no means incredible.
Although the Christian faith opens up the
prospect of another life
With a loud voice - Through earnestness, and
because he was some distance away, said Wesley.
Wesley said, Do not yourselves harm
–Though the Christian faith opens up the prospect of another life, yet it
absolutely and effectually forbids a man to free himself from it.
Sirs, what do I need to do to be saved?
Being together with this historical fact, Luke recorded: And he brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do
to be saved?
Gentlemen - He did not call them
that the day before, said Wesley.
From the guilt I feel and the revenge I fear?
Wesley commented, "What must I do to
be saved?" "Of the guilt I feel
and the revenge I fear?" No doubt God then set his sins in order before
him, and convinced him in the clearest and strongest manner that the wrath of
God dwelt upon him.
Verse 31
If you believe. They did it and were saved
Being with this historical fact, Luke recorded: And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you
will be saved, you and your household.
Thou shalt be saved,
and thy house - If thou believest. They did that and were saved, Wesley said.
Verse 33
Nor was it fitting that they should, for it
would have frustrated many wise designs of God, which were answered by his
sufferings
Luke recorded, "And he took them at
the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds; and he was baptized, he
and all his men immediately."
Said Wesley in his notes, He washed away his
stripes - It
must not be forgotten, that the apostles had not the power to work miraculous
cures when they pleased, either in themselves, or in their dearest friends. Nor
was it fitting that they should, for it would have frustrated many wise designs
of God, which were answered by their sufferings.
Verse 34
And, bringing them into your home
Luke recorded, "And he brought them into his house, and put food for
them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his household.
He set a table before
them, and rejoiced—Faith makes a man cheerful, prudent, liberal, said Wesley.
Verse 35
Let go of those men
Being with this historical fact, Luke recorded: And when morning came, the magistrates sent the
sergeants, saying: Release those men.
Let these men go
Wesley commented: The praetors sent
- Probably terrified of the earthquake; saying, Let these men go - How
different from the charge given a few hours before! And how great is the
tranquility for the jailer!
And now they secretly expel us?
Being together with this historical fact, Luke recorded: But Paul said to them, They scourged us openly without
condemnation, being Romans, and cast us into prison; and now they expel us
secretly? no, indeed; but let them come and seek us out.
Wesley explains: They beat us publicly,
being Romans—St. Paul does not always claim this privilege. But in a
country where they were utterly strangers, such treatment might have brought
upon them the suspicion that they had been guilty of some unusual crime, and so
have impeded the course of the Gospel.
Verse 40
And they came out of the prison, and went
into the house of Lydia
Being
with this historical fact, Luke recorded: And they came out of
the prison, and went into the house of Lydia; and when they saw the brethren,
they comforted them, and departed.
They comforted them
Said Wesley in his
notes, When they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed - Though many
circumstances now invited their stay, yet they wisely complied with the request
of the magistrates, lest they should seem to express any degree of obstinacy or
revenge, or give any suspicion of a design to stir up the people.[5]
To be at the
center of God's will is to have persistence even under strong opposition and to
be submissive to divine plans
In Acts 18, Paul
demonstrates that he is at the center of God's will through his persistence in
preaching even under strong opposition, his submission to God's plans
(especially when he received a vision that instructed him to stay in Corinth),
and his dedication to strengthening the church by living in a balanced way
between secular work and ministry. [6]
Acts 18
Paul
meets with Priscilla and Aquila, who become mission companions.
The
Holy Spirit continued to act on the missionary journey. Luke recorded: When Silas and
Timothy returned from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit and testified
to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.
Wesley
commented, Paul was pressed in spirit - More likely than
Silas and Timothy reported. Every Christian should diligently observe any
pressure in his own spirit, and, if he is in accordance with the Scriptures,
follow it: if he does not, he will feel a great weight.
In Corinth, "Crispus, the
ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household; and many
of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed, and were baptized."
Luke
recorded, "And Paul after this remained there a long time, and then he took
leave of the brethren, and sailed from thence to Syria, and with him Priscilla
and Aquila, having shorn his head at Cenchreae, because he had a vow.
Paul was in Ephesus.
The
encounter with Apollo: And a certain Jew named Apollos, born in
Alexandria, an eloquent and powerful man in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
Wesley
commented: An eloquent man, mighty in the Scriptures - From the Old
Testament. Every talent can be useful in the kingdom of God, if united with a
knowledge of the Scriptures and fervor of spirit.
Being
with this historical fact, Luke recorded: This man was
instructed in the way of the Lord; and fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught
diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
This man had been
instructed—though not perfectly, in the way of the Lord—in the doctrine of Christ,
Wesley said in his notes.
Said Wesley in his
notes, Knowing only the baptism of John - Only what John
taught those whom he baptized, namely, to repent and believe in a Messiah who
was soon to appear.
Luke
recorded, "And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue, which, when Aquila
and Priscilla heard it, brought him to him, and explained to him more perfectly
the way of God.
Acts 18
Verse 1
Paul departing from Athens
Said Wesley in his
notes, Paul departing from Athens - He did not stay there long. The
philosophers there were too easy, too indolent, and too wise in their own eyes
to receive the Gospel.
Verse 2
And he found a certain Jew named Aquila
Being
together with this historical fact, Luke recorded: And he found a
certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, recently coming from Italy, with his
wife Priscilla; (for Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome) and
went to them.
Claudius, the Roman emperor, ordered all Jews
to leave Rome
Wesley
explained: Claudius, the Roman emperor, ordered all Jews to leave Rome—all who
were Jews by birth. Whether they were Jews or Christians by religion, the
Romans were too majestic to be considered.
Verse 3
And because he was of the same art
Said Wesley, They were tentmakers
by trade - For it was a rule among the Jews (and why is it not among
Christians?) to bring up all their children for some trade, if they were so
rich or noble.
Verse 5
he was pressed in the spirit and testified to
the Jews that Jesus was the Christ
Standing
with this historical fact, Luke recorded: When Silas and
Timothy returned from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit and testified
to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.
Silas seems to have stayed a considerable
time at Beroea: but Timothy had come to the apostle while he was at Athens
Said Wesley in his
notes, And when Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia - Silas seems to have
tarried a considerable time at Beroea: but Timothy had come to the apostle
while he was at Athens, and was sent by him to comfort and confirm the Church
at Thessalonica, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5. But now, at last,
Silas and Timothy have reached the apostle in Corinth.
Every Christian should diligently observe any
pressure in his own spirit and, if it is in accordance with the Scriptures,
follow it
Wesley
commented, Paul was pressed in spirit - More likely than
Silas and Timothy reported. Every Christian should diligently observe any
pressure in his own spirit, and, if he is in accordance with the Scriptures,
follow it: if he does not, he will feel a great weight.
Verse 6
Let your blood be on your heads; I am clean:
from now on I will go to the Gentiles
Luke
observed and recorded, " And when they opposed and blasphemed, he shook off
his garments, and said to them, 'Your blood be on your heads; I am clean: from
now on I will go to the Gentiles.
To signify that he would from that moment
abstain from them
Wesley
clarified, He shook his garments - To signify that he would henceforth abstain from
them: and to intimate, that God would soon shake them off as unworthy to be
numbered among his people.
I am pure - No one can say that
except he who has given a full testimony against sin, he said.
From now on I will go to the Gentiles
Said Wesley in his
notes, "From now on I will go to the Gentiles - But not to them
altogether. He did not interrupt all sexual relations with the Jews, even in
Corinth. But he didn't preach in their synagogue anymore.
Verse 7
And he departed from thence, and entered into
the house of a man named Justus
Being
with this historical fact, Luke recorded: And he departed from thence, and entered into the house of a man named
Justus, who worshipped God, whose house was strongly joined to the synagogue.
Wesley clarified: He went into the
house of one called Justus—a Gentile, and preached there, though probably he
was still staying with Aquila.
And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue,
believed in the Lord with all his household
Luke
recorded, "And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord
with all his household; and many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed,
and were baptized.
And many heard - The conversation of
Crispus, and the preaching of Paul, said Wesley.
Verse 10
'Cause I'm with you
Luke
recorded, "For I am with
you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this
city."
Wesley
commented, I am with thee: therefore fear not all the knowledge, politeness,
greatness, or power of the inhabitants of this city.
Speak and do not be
silent - For your labor will not be in vain.
'Cause I've got a lot of people in this town
For I have many people
in this city - So he prophetically calls those who afterwards
believed, he said.
Verse 11
And he stayed there for a year and six months
Luke
recorded, " And he remained there a year and six months,
teaching among them the word of God.
Wesley asked, "He remained
there a year and six months—a long time! But how few souls are now won in more
time than that? Who is to blame? Usually teachers and listeners.
Verse 12
the Jews set fire unanimously against Paul,
and brought him to court
Luke
recorded, "When Gallio was a deputy of Achaia, the Jews set fire with one
accord against Paul, and brought him to court,
When Gallio was
proconsul of Achaia—Of which Corinth was the chief city, Wesley
explained.
This Gallio, brother of the famous Seneca, is
highly praised by him and other writers, for the sweetness and generosity of
his temper and ease of his behavior
Wesley
explained: This Gallio, brother of the famous Seneca, is much praised by him
and other writers, for the sweetness and generosity of his temper and ease of
his deportment. However, one thing was missing! But he didn't know that and
didn't worry about it.
Verse 15
The names of the pagan gods were fables and
shadows
But if it be a matter
of words and names and your law, look to it; for I will not be the judge of
such matters.
Said Wesley in his
notes: But if it be - He speaks with the greatest coldness and
contempt, a matter of names - The names of the heathen gods were fables and
shadows. But the question about the name of Jesus is more important than all
other things under heaven. Yet there is this singularity (among thousands of
others) in the Christian religion, which human reason, curious as it is in all
other things, abhors to inquire.
Verse 17
Then all the Greeks arrested Sosthenes, the
ruler of the synagogue
Luke
recorded, " Then all the Greeks
seized Sosthenes the ruler of the synagogue and beat him before the court. And Gallio didn't care about any of these things.
Crispus' successor, and probably Paul's chief
accuser, beat him
Wesley
commented, Then they all took Sosthenes - The successor of
Crispus, and probably Paul's chief accuser, and beat him - It seems because he
occasioned them so much trouble to no purpose, before the court - One can
hardly think of Gallio's vision, though not at a great distance from him. And
it seems to have had a happy effect. For Sosthenes himself was afterwards a
Christian, 1 Corinthians 1:1.
Verse 18
and with him Priscilla and Aquila
Being
with this historical fact, Luke recorded: And Paul, after this,
remained there a long time, and then took leave of the brethren, and sailed
from thence to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having sheared his
head at Cenchreae, because he had a vow.
Paul continued many
days - After the year and six months, to strengthen the brethren.
As was customary in a vote
Aquila having shaved
his head–As was customary in a vow, Acts 21:24; Numbers 6:18, said Wesley.
Wesley further
explained: In Cenchreae - A port city, a short distance from Corinth.
Verse 21
but I will return to you, God willing. And he
departed from Ephesus
Luke
recorded, " But I took leave of them, saying, 'I must keep
this feast that is coming in Jerusalem by any means, but I will return to you,
God willing.' And he departed from Ephesus.
I shall by all means
keep the feast at Jerusalem - This was not from any apprehension that he was
obliged in conscience to keep the Jewish feasts, he said.
he took the opportunity of meeting a large
number of his countrymen to whom he could preach Christ
Wesley
further commented, but to take advantage of the opportunity of finding a large
number of his countrymen whom he could preach Christ, or whom he could instruct
further, or free from the prejudices which they had absorbed against him.
But I will return to
you - So he did, Acts 19:1.
Verse 22
Eminently so called, the Church being the
mother of Christian believers
Luke recorded, "And when he had
landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to
Antioch.
Wesley
commented, And landing at Caesarea, he went up - Immediately to
Jerusalem; and saluted the Church - Eminently so called, the Church being the
mother of Christian believers: and having kept the feast there, he went down
from thence to Antioch.
Verse 23
And when he had spent some time there, he departed,
and went through all the country of Galatia and Phrygia
Luke
recorded, " And when he had spent some time there, he
departed, and went through all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order,
strengthening all the disciples.
It is assumed that he spent about four years
there
He traversed the
country of Galatia and Phrygia–It is supposed,
spending about four years there, including the time he stayed at Ephesus,
stated Wesley.
Verse 24
And a certain Jew named Apollo
Luke
recorded in the book of Acts: And a certain Jew named Apollos, born in
Alexandria, an eloquent and powerful man in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
Eloquent, Mighty in Scripture
Wesley
commented: An eloquent man, mighty in the Scriptures - From the Old Testament. Every talent can be
useful in the kingdom of God, if united with a knowledge of the Scriptures and
fervor of spirit.
Verse 25
Fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught
diligently
Being
with this historical fact, Luke recorded: This man was
instructed in the way of the Lord; and fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught
diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
This man had been
instructed—though not perfectly, in the way of the Lord—in the doctrine of Christ,
Wesley said in his notes.
Knowing only John's baptism
Said Wesley in his
notes, Knowing only the
baptism of John - Only what John
taught those whom he baptized, namely, to repent and believe in a Messiah who
was soon to appear.
Verse 26
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue
Luke
recorded, "And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue, which, when Aquila
and Priscilla heard it, brought him to him, and explained to him more perfectly
the way of God.
He probably returned to live in Alexandria soon
after he was baptized by John
Said Wesley in his
notes, He spoke - in private; and taught publicly. Probably he
returned to live in Alexandria soon after he was baptized by John; and
therefore he had no opportunity to be fully acquainted with the doctrines of
the Gospel, as handed down by Christ and his apostles.
And he explained to him the way of God more
perfectly
And he explained to
him the way of God more perfectly - He that knoweth
Christ, is able to instruct even those that are mighty in the Scriptures, said
Wesley.
Verse 27
The brothers wrote, exhorting the disciples
to receive him
Being
with this historical fact, Luke recorded: And when he was ready
to go over to Achaia, the brothers wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive
him, who arrived and helped them very much who by grace had believed.
Wesley said in his
notes, "Who helped greatly by grace - It is by grace
alone that any gift from one is profitable to another."
Apollo did not plant, but watered
Said Wesley in his
notes, "Those who had
believed - Apollos did not
plant, but watered. This was the peculiar gift he received. And he was better
able to convince the Jews than to convert the pagans.[7]
Be at the center of God's will even as we
walk toward foreseen sufferings
In Acts 21:17, Paul's arrival in Jerusalem
marks a pivotal moment where he finds himself at the center of
God's will, even as he walks toward foreseen sufferings. After
his third missionary journey, Paul was convinced that the Holy Spirit was
guiding him to Jerusalem despite warnings of danger. [8]
Acts 21:17
Paul goes to Tyre and again the Spirit tells him
not to go to Jerusalem: And when we found
disciples, we tarried there seven days, who told Paul by the Spirit not to go
up to Jerusalem.
Wesley said: São Paulo knew that this forecast had the force of a
command. They didn't know that.
And Luke recorded, Then Paul answered,
What do you want to weep and break my heart? for I am ready not only to be
arrested, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
They
pass by the house of Philip the evangelist: The next day we who
were of Paul's company departed and went to Caesarea, and went into the house
of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven; and he stayed with him,
said Luke.
The prophet Agabus meets Paul and, once again, a Holy Spirit says that
Paul would be arrested: And when he came to us,
he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith
the Holy Spirit: Thus shall the Jews in Jerusalem bind the man that hath his
owner of this girdle, and they will deliver
him into the hands of the Gentiles, thus recorded Luke.
The disciples warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Paul said that he was
ready to die and that he would do the Lord's will.
Wesley made plain this decision of Paul's:
And when he would not be persuaded - This was not obstinacy, but
true Christian resolution. We must never be persuaded, either to do evil, or to
omit any good that is in our power; saying, The will of the Lord be done.
And Paul went to Jerusalem.
Verse 1
we sailed to Syria
Wesley commented, "And when we were torn
from the countryside - Not without doing violence to ourselves and to them.
Verse 3
Luke recorded , "Now when we
discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre,
because there the ship was to unload its burden.
We landed at Tyre - That there should be Christians there was
foretold
We landed at Tyre–Said Wesley, That there
should be Christians there was foretold, Psalms 87:4. What we read in that
psalm of the Philistines and Ethiopians can also be compared with Acts 8:40; Acts 27:4.
Verse 4
And when we found disciples, we tarried there
seven days
Luke recorded, " And when we found disciples, we tarried there
seven days, and he told Paul by the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem."
And when we found
disciples, we stayed there seven days, to spend a sabbath with
them, said Wesley.
That afflictions awaited him in Jerusalem.
That's exactly what they said by the Spirit
Wesley wrote, " Who said unto Paul by
the Spirit -
That afflictions awaited him at Jerusalem. That was exactly what they said by
the Spirit. They themselves advised him not to go up. The disciples seemed to
understand that their prophetic impulse was a suggestion from the Spirit, that
Paul, if he so desired, might avoid danger by not going to Jerusalem.
Verse 7
We greeted the brothers and stayed with them
one day
Luke includes himself
in the story and records: And when we had
finished our journey from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and
stayed with them one day.
Having finished our
journey -
From Macedonia, Acts 20:6, we come to Ptolemaisa - A
celebrated city on the seashore, anciently called Accos. It is now, like many
other once-noble cities, just a heap of ruins, Wesley explained.
Verse 8
and we entered the house of Philip the
evangelist, who was one of the seven
Luke includes himself again in the story and
records The next day we, who were of Paul's company, departed and went to
Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the
seven; and he stayed with him.
It was the place where the Roman governor of
Judea usually resided and held his court
Wesley commented, "We come to
Caesarea–Thus
called from an imposing temple which Herod the Great dedicated there to
Augustus Caesar. It was the place where the Roman governor of Judea usually
resided and held his court.
An
evangelist is a preacher of the Gospel to those who have never heard it
Wesley commented, The evangelist, who was one of the seven deacons - An evangelist is a preacher of the Gospel to those who have never heard him, as Philip had done to the Samaritans, to the Ethiopian eunuch, and to all the cities from Azotus to Caesarea, Acts 8:5; Acts 8:26; Acts 8:40. It is not improbable that he spent the next few years preaching in Tyre and Sidon, and in the other heathen cities in the vicinity of Galilee, his home being at Caesarea, a convenient situation for this purpose.
We
stay at your home
We lived with him – We stayed at his house during our stay in Caesarea,
Wesley said.
Verse 10
a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea
Luke recorded And as we tarried
there many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
Wesley commented, A certain prophet came—The nearer the event was,
the more expressed were the predictions which prepared Paul for it.
Verse 11
Thus saith the Holy Spirit
Luke includes himself in the story and recorded: And when he came to
us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus
saith the Holy Spirit: Thus shall the Jews in Jerusalem bind the man who hath
his owner of this girdle, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
Tying his own feet and
hands–Stated
Wesley: The way evildoers used to be bound when apprehended.
The ties of St. Paul were first announced in
Caesarea
So shall the Jews bind
the man whose girdle is this - St. Paul's bonds were first announced at Caesarea, to which he
afterwards came in chains, Acts
23:33, explained Wesley.
Verse 12
we begged him not to go up to Jerusalem
And when we heard
these things, both we and those of that place besought him not to go up to
Jerusalem.
Wesley commented : Both we (his traveling
companions) and those of the place, begged him not to go up to Jerusalem—
This prediction had the force of a command
Wesley commented: São Paulo knew that this
prediction had the force of a command. They didn't know that.
Verse 13
for I am ready not only to be arrested, but
also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus
Luke recorded, "Then Paul
answered, "What do you want to weep and break my heart? for I am ready not
only to be arrested, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord
Jesus."
Breaking my heart - For the apostles
themselves were not void of human affections, said Wesley further.
And
for the one who is ready for it, the burden is light
I am ready not only to
be bound, but to die," Wesley said: And to him who is ready for it, the burden is light.
Verse 14
The Lord's will be done
Luke recorded, "And not being persuaded,
we ceased, saying, 'The will of the Lord be done.'
We must never be persuaded, either to do
evil, or to omit any good that is in our power; saying, the will of the Lord be
done
Wesley commented, "And when he
would not be persuaded - This was not obstinacy, but true Christian resolution. We must never
be persuaded, either to do evil, or to omit any good that is in our power;
saying, The will of the Lord be done - What they were pleased Paul knew.
Verse 15
we took our chariots and went up to Jerusalem
Luke includes himself in the story and recorded: And after those days
we took our chariots and went up to Jerusalem.
Commented Wesley, We took our carriages - Our baggage; which was
probably by sea before. What they took with them now, in particular, were the
alms they were taking to Jerusalem, Acts 24:17.
Verse 16
Some of the disciples of Caesarea also went
with us
Luke shows that he was
in the story, and he recorded, "Some of the disciples from Caesarea went
with us, and brought with them a certain Mnasom from Cyprus, an old disciple,
with whom we were to lodge."
An old disciple
The disciples led us
to a certain Mnason, a Cyprian, an old disciple—He was a native of
Cyprus, but an inhabitant of Jerusalem, and probably one of the first converts
there,[9] Wesley explained.
Verse 10
Gentlemen, I see that this journey will be
with damage and much damage
And he said to them,
"Sirs, I see that this voyage will be with damage and much damage, not
only to the cargo and the ship, but also to our lives."
Wesley's Commentary
Saying unto them - To the centurion
and other officers.
Verse 11
The centurion believed more in the commander
However, the centurion
believed the captain and the owner of the ship more than Paul's words.
Wesley's Commentary
A true Christian often counsels even better
than he does
The centurion looked
at the master - And indeed, it is a general rule, believe a
craftsman in his own art. However, when there is the greatest need, the true
Christian often counsels even better than he does.
Verse 12
And as the port was not comfortable for the
winter
And as the harbour was
not comfortable for the winter, most of the members advised from thence also,
if by any means they could reach Phoenice, and there in winter; which is a port
of Crete and lies towards the southwest and northwest.
Wesley's Commentary
Which is a refuge - Having a double
opening, one to the southwest, the other to the northwest.
Even though Paul
is unmistakably at the center of God's will (going to witness in Rome), he
faces a violent storm
The account of Acts 27
is one of the most dramatic episodes in the Bible, where the apostle Paul, even
though he is unequivocally at the center of God's will (going to testify in
Rome), faces a violent storm known as Euroaquilon. [10]
Acts 27
Verse 14
Later, the author of the
Acts of the Apostles wrote: "But not long afterward a tempestuous wind
arose against him, called Euroclydon."
And Wesley made it
plain, It rose up against him –"The south wind; a stormy wind, called in
those parts Euroclydon. It was a kind of hurricane, not taking them to one
side, but throwing them back and forth. These furious winds are now called
levanters and blow in all directions from northeast to southeast."
It was necessary to
throw many cards overboard: "And on the third day we threw away the
ship's equipment with our own hands."
And Wesley said,
"We kicked the equipment out of the ship —cutting off even the
masts that were not absolutely necessary."
And all hope that we
would be saved was then taken away," said Luke, "And when neither
sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small storm fell upon us, all hope
that we would be saved was then taken away."
And Paul said, "Sirs, ye ought
to have listened unto me, and not loosed yourselves out of Crete, and gained
this injury and loss."
Verse 16
We had a lot of work to come by boat
And running under a
certain island called Clauda, we had a lot of trouble to come by boat:
Wesley's Commentary
We barely managed to
get the masters of the boat - To prevent it from being avoided.
Verse 18
Being extremely shaken by a storm
And we, being
exceedingly tossed by a storm, the next day they lightened the ship;
Wesley's Commentary
They lightened the
ship - By throwing the heavy goods into the sea.
Verse 19
We throw away
And on the third day
we threw away the ship's equipment with our own hands.
Wesley's Commentary
We drove the equipment
off the ship - cutting even the masts that were not absolutely
necessary.
All hope that we would be saved was then
taken away
And when neither sun
nor stars in many days appeared, and no small storm fell upon us, all hope that
we would be saved was then taken away.
Wesley's Commentary
Neither the sun nor
the stars appeared for many days - which they could
spare, before the compass was discovered.
Verse 21
Sirs, you ought to have listened to me, and
not let you go out of Crete
But after a long
abstinence, Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Sirs, you ought to
have listened to me, and not released you from Crete, and gained this injury
and loss."
Wesley's Commentary
This loss - That is before your
eyes.
God's will is not
synonymous with the absence of difficulties, but with the guarantee of the
fulfillment of His purposes
The narrative of
Acts 27:13 profoundly illustrates how divine providence often acts not to avert the
storm, but to lead us through it. Even though he was at the center of God's
will, Paul faced a dangerous shipwreck, which reinforces that God's will is not
synonymous with the absence of difficulties, but with the guarantee
of the fulfillment of His purposes. [11]
Acts 27
Paul said, "For tonight the
angel of God has been with me, whose I am and whom I serve"
"saying, 'Fear
not, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar, and behold, God has given you all
who sail with you."
And Wesley explained, "God gave - Paul prayed for
them. And God gave him life; maybe their souls too. And the centurion, serving
the providence of God, gave Paul the lives of the prisoners. How wonderfully
his providence reigns in the most contingent things."
The Lord said that no
life would be lost, and it was not lost.
Wesley said, "So
that Paul, in the sight of God, was the master and pilot of the ship."
Paul told everyone to
eat: "Therefore I ask you to eat something, for it is for your health,
for not a hair will fall from any of your heads."
And Luke recorded, "Then they were
all of good cheer, and they also took some meat."
And Wesley commented, "Then all were
encouraged - by his example as well as words."
"And when they
had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and threw the wheat into the
sea."
And they arrived in
Malta. "They all escaped safely to the earth" – Wesley said: And
some of them, no doubt, received the apostle as a teacher sent by God."
For tonight the angel of God was with me
For tonight the angel
of God has been with me, whose I am and whom I serve,
Wesley's Commentary
The God of Whom I Am and Whom I Serve
The God of Whom I Am,
and Whom I Serve - How short is a compendium of religion! However,
how full! Understanding faith, hope and love.
Verse 24
You must be brought before Caesar
saying, Fear not,
Paul; you must be brought before Caesar, and behold, God has given you all who
sail with you.
Wesley's Commentary
And the centurion, serving the providence of God,
gave Paul the lives of the prisoners
God gave - Paul prayed for
them. And God gave him life; maybe their souls too. And the centurion, serving
the providence of God, gave Paul the lives of the prisoners. How wonderfully
his providence reigns in the most contingent things! And many wicked men shall be
preserved with some good (so it often happens) than one good man shall perish
with many wicked. So it was on this ship: so it is in the world. [12]
[1] Overview Powered by Google AI
[2] Overview Powered by Google AI
[3] https://www.studylight.org/comentários/eng/wen/acts-13.html.
[4] Overview Powered by Google AI
[5] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/wen/acts-16.html
[6] Overview Powered by Google AI
[7] https://www.studylight.org/comentários/eng/wen/acts-18.html.
[8] Overview Powered by Google AI
[9] https://www.studylight.org/comentários/eng/wen/acts-21.html.
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[11] Overview Powered by Google AI
[12] https://www.studylight.org/
comentários/eng/wen/acts-27.html
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