Bibelkommentare

Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

But his father was a Greek — Both by nation and religion. This was an unlawful marriage, Exodus 34:10-17 Deuteronomy 7:1-5 , and might be a means to humble the good woman, when once she came to a sight of her sin. David had his best children by Bathsheba, as Solomon, Nathan, of whom came Christ, … God can turn our sins to our good and comfort, as the skilful apothecary can make of a poisonous viper a wholesome treacle. a

a Old Pharm. A medicinal compound, orig. a kind of salve, composed of many ingredients, formerly in repute as an alexipharmic against and antidote to venomous bites, poisons generally, and malignant diseases. ŒD

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Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

Which was well reported of by the brethren — This is part of the reward of virtue, and follows it, as the shadow doth the body. See Trapp on " Ecclesiastes 7:1 " See Trapp on " 3 John 1:12 "

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Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

Took and circumcised him — Paul circumcised Timothy, as a Gentile; in that, for a Jew to be circumcised was no yieldance. And those words, "they all knew his father to be a Greek" demonstrate, he went in estimation for a Gentile. Calvin refusing to administer the communion in Geneva, and to use therein unleavened bread or wafer cakes, was compelled to depart the city; and was not received thither again until he had allowed of the same kind of bread. De quo postea restitutus, nunquam contendendum putavit; minims tamen dissimulans quid alioqui magis esset probaturus. a See Trapp on " Acts 15:28 "

a Beza in Vita Calvini.

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And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

They delivered them the decrees — Which were agreeable to the Scriptures. And if Gregory thought that the decrees of the four first general councils were to be received with like reverence and respect as the four holy Gospels, how much more these! But what a tyrant is the pope to obtrude his decretals, and the decrees of his councils (though directly opposite to the revealed will of God), upon the consciences of the misled multitude, to be observed, with a Non obstante! The Council of Constance (for instance) comes in with a Non obstante against Christ’s institution, withholding the cup from the sacrament; so for prayers in an unknown tongue, singing of psalms, ministers’ marriage. a When the pope sets forth any bulls, commonly he concludes thus, Non obstantibus et ordinationibus Apostolicis, caeterisque contrariis quibuscunque.

a Caranza Sum. Concil. sess. 13.

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And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Established in the faith, and increased in number — Some were converted by their ministry, others confirmed. This is still the fruit of faithful preaching, which is far more effectual hereunto than other ordinances; like as the rain from heaven hath a fatness with it, and a special influence, more than other standing waters, and as milk from the breast is most nourishing.

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Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

And were forbidden, … — This was a heavier judgment upon those coasts than to be denied a harvest, or the light of the sun. Prize the preaching of the gospel as a singular privilege. They that are without a teaching priest are without God,2 Chronicles 15:3; 2 Chronicles 15:3 . There were ambassadors sent out of Nubia in Africa to the king of Habassia, to entreat him for a supply of ministers to instruct their nation, and repair Christianity gone to ruin among them; but they were rejected. Alvarez Hist. Aethiop, c. 137. Amos’s famine of the word is far more deplorable than Samaria’s famine of bread in that strait siege.

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After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

But the Spirit suffered them not — The Spirit still lusteth against the flesh, and the flesh against, the Spirit, in the hearts of the regenerate, so that they cannot do what they would, Galatians 5:17 . As they cannot do what good they would in regard of the flesh, so neither what evil they would in regard of the Spirit.

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And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

Came down to Troas — The relics of old Troy, called also Antigonia and Alexandria, as Pliny testifieth.

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