Matthew Henry

Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers.

“Those that lived in Judea were, in such a case, bound to do it at the temple: but those who lived in other countries might do it in other places.”

When they asked him to stay for a while longer, he declined.

“It is good to have opportunities in reserve, when one good work is over to have another to apply ourselves to: I will return again to you, but he inserts that necessary proviso, if God will.”

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples

“At his first coming, he met with some disciples there, who professed faith in Christ as the true Messiah, but were as yet in the first and lowest form in the school of Christ, under his usher John the Baptist.”

And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

“This was intended to introduce the gospel at Ephesus, and to awaken in the minds of men an expectation of some great things from it; and some think that it was further designed to qualify these twelve men for the work of the ministry, and…”

Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.

“He showed them their obligations to God and interest in him, as the Creator, by which the kingdom of God was set up,--the violation of those obligations, and the forfeiture of that interest, by sin, by which the kingdom of God was pulled down,--and the…”

This continued for two years, so that everyone who lived in the province of Asia, Jews and Greeks alike, heard the word of the Lord.

“But others think it was a philosophy-school of the Gentiles, belonging to one Tyrannus, or a retiring place (for so the word schole sometimes signifies) belonging to a principal man or governor of the city; some convenient place it was, which Paul and the disciples…”

This continued for two years, so that everyone who lived in the province of Asia, Jews and Greeks alike, heard the word of the Lord.

“There was great resort to Ephesus from all parts of the country, for law, traffic, religion, and education, which gave Paul an opportunity of sending the report of the gospel to all the towns and villages of that country.”

God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and the diseases and evil spirits…

“Or, if he did, why are they not recorded? Was the success of the gospel, without miracles in the kingdom of nature, itself such a miracle in the kingdom of grace, and the divine power which went along with it such a proof of its…”

Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.

“The confusion they were put to in their impious operations. Let them not be deceived, God is not mocked, nor shall the glorious name of Jesus be prostituted to such a vile purpose as this; what communion hath Christ with Belial?”

This became known to all the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, and fear came over all of them.

“It was the common talk of the town; and the effect of it was, (1.) That men were terrified: fear fell on them all.”

Many who had believed now came forward, confessing and disclosing their deeds.

“These confessions were not extorted from them, but were voluntary, for the ease of their consciences, upon which the late miracles had struck a terror.”

So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.

“To see it prevail extensively, by the advancement in knowledge and grace of those that are added to the church; when strong corruptions are mortified, vicious habits changed, evil customs of long standing broken off, and pleasant, gainful, fashionable sins are abandoned, then it prevails…”

After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia.

“There he had planted churches, and now is concerned to visit them. He purposed in the spirit, either in his own spirit, not communicating his purpose as yet, but keeping it to himself; or by the direction of the Holy Spirit, who was his guide…”

After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia.

“He was a man of vast designs for God, and was for making his influences as widely diffusive as might be. Having spent above two years at Ephesus, (1.)”

About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.

“Some historians say that the famous impostor Apollonius Tyanæus, who set up for a rival with Christ, and gave out himself, as Simon Magus, to be some great one, was at Ephesus about this time that Paul was there.”

When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia.

“His removal might somewhat appease the rage of his adversaries, and gain better quarter for the Christians there. Currenti cede furori--It is good to lie by in a storm.”

We went on ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, where we were to take Paul aboard. He had arranged this because he was going there on foot.

“There they took him in; for by this time he had enough of his walk, and was willing to betake himself to the other way of travelling; or perhaps he could not go any further by land, but was obliged to go by water.”

Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day…

“He aimed to be there by the feast of pentecost because it was a time of concourse, which would give him an opportunity of propagating the gospel among the Jews and proselytes, who came from all parts to worship at the feast: and the feast…”

testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Our repentance towards God is not sufficient, we must have a true faith in Christ as our Redeemer and Saviour, consenting to him as our Lord and our God.”

But when our time there had ended, we set out on our journey. All the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city and knelt down…

“We kneeled down on the shore and prayed. Paul prayed for himself, prayed for them, prayed for all the churches; as he was much in prayer so he was mighty in prayer.”

Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.

“(2.) He was now and had long been an evangelist, one that went about to plant and water churches, as the apostles did, and gave himself, as they did, to the word and prayer; thus, having used the office of a deacon well, he purchased…”

He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

“Here was a further accomplishment of that prophecy, Joel ii. 28 , of such a plentiful pouring out of the Spirit upon all flesh that their sons and their daughters should prophesy, that is, foretel things to come.”

After we had been there several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

“To Paul was given the word of wisdom and knowledge, as an apostle, by the Spirit, and the gifts of healing; to Agabus, and to Philip's daughters, was given prophecy, by the same Spirit--the foretelling of things to come, which came to pass according to…”

When he would not be dissuaded, we fell silent and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

“They did not resolve his resolution into his stubbornness, but into his willingness to suffer, and God's will that he should.”

The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present.

“He saluted them, that is, he wished them all health and happiness, and prayed to God to bless them. The proper signification of salutation is, wishing salvation to you: salve, or salus tibi sit; like peace be unto you.”