Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Acts Ch.13 / 28 Ch.s
AC:13
* The mission of Paul and Barnabas. (1-3) Elymas the sorcerer.
(4-13) Paul's discourse at Antioch. (14-41) He preaches to the
Gentiles, and is persecuted by the Jews. (42-52)
#1-3 What an assemblage was here! In these names we see that the
Lord raises up instruments for his work, from various places and
stations in life; and zeal for his glory induces men to give up
flattering connexions and prospects to promote his cause. It is
by the Spirit of Christ that his ministers are made both able
and willing for his service, and taken from other cares that
would hinder in it. Christ's ministers are to be employed in
Christ's work, and, under the Spirit's guidance, to act for the
glory of God the Father. They are separated to take pains, and
not to take state. A blessing upon Barnabas and Saul in their
present undertaking was sought for, and that they might be
filled with the Holy Ghost in their work. Whatever means are
used, or rules observed, the Holy Ghost alone can fit ministers
for their important work, and call them to it.
#4-13 Satan is in a special manner busy with great men and men
in power, to keep them from being religious, for their example
will influence many. Saul is here for the first time called
Paul, and never after Saul. Saul was his name as he was a
Hebrew; Paul was his name as he was a citizen of Rome. Under the
direct influence of the Holy Ghost, he gave Elymas his true
character, but not in passion. A fulness of deceit and mischief
together, make a man indeed a child of the devil. And those who
are enemies to the doctrine of Jesus, are enemies to all
righteousness; for in it all righteousness is fulfilled. The
ways of the Lord Jesus are the only right ways to heaven and
happiness. There are many who not only wander from these ways
themselves, but set others against these ways. They commonly are
so hardened, that they will not cease to do evil. The proconsul
was astonished at the force of the doctrine upon his own heart
and conscience, and at the power of God by which it was
confirmed. The doctrine of Christ astonishes; and the more we
know of it, the more reason we shall see to wonder at it. Those
who put their hand to the plough and look back, are not fit for
the kingdom of God. Those who are not prepared to face
opposition, and to endure hardship, are not fitted for the work
of the ministry.
#14-31 When we come together to worship God, we must do it, not
only by prayer and praise, but by the reading and hearing of the
word of God. The bare reading of the Scriptures in public
assemblies is not enough; they should be expounded, and the
people exhorted out of them. This is helping people in doing
that which is necessary to make the word profitable, to apply it
to themselves. Every thing is touched upon in this sermon, which
might best prevail with Jews to receive and embrace Christ as
the promised Messiah. And every view, however short or faint, of
the Lord's dealings with his church, reminds us of his mercy and
long-suffering, and of man's ingratitude and perverseness. Paul
passes from David to the Son of David, and shows that this Jesus
is his promised Seed; a Saviour to do that for them, which the
judges of old could not do, to save them from their sins, their
worst enemies. When the apostles preached Christ as the Saviour,
they were so far from concealing his death, that they always
preached Christ crucified. Our complete separation from sin, is
represented by our being buried with Christ. But he rose again
from the dead, and saw no corruption: this was the great truth
to be preached.
#32-37 The resurrection of Christ was the great proof of his
being the Son of God. It was not possible he should be held by
death, because he was the Son of God, and therefore had life in
himself, which he could not lay down but with a design to take
it again. The sure mercies of David are that everlasting life,
of which the resurrection was a sure pledge; and the blessings
of redemption in Christ are a certain earnest, even in this
world. David was a great blessing to the age wherein he lived.
We were not born for ourselves, but there are those living
around us, to whom we must study to be serviceable. Yet here is
the difference; Christ was to serve all generations. May we look
to Him who is declared to be the Son of God by his resurrection
from the dead, that by faith in him we may walk with God, and
serve our generation according to his will; and when death
comes, may we fall asleep in him, with a joyful hope of a
blessed resurrection.
#38-41 Let all that hear the gospel of Christ, know these two
things: 1. That through this Man, who died and rose again, is
preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. Your sins, though
many and great, may be forgiven, and they may be so without any
injury to God's honour. 2. It is by Christ only that those who
believe in him, and none else, are justified from all things;
from all the guilt and stain of sin, from which they could not
be justified by the law of Moses. The great concern of convinced
sinners is, to be justified, to be acquitted from all their
guilt, and accepted as righteous in God's sight, for if any is
left charged upon the sinner, he is undone. By Jesus Christ we
obtain a complete justification; for by him a complete atonement
was made for sin. We are justified, not only by him as our Judge
but by him as the Lord our Righteousness. What the law could not
do for us, in that it was weak, the gospel of Christ does. This
is the most needful blessing, bringing in every other. The
threatenings are warnings; what we are told will come upon
impenitent sinners, is designed to awaken us to beware lest it
come upon us. It ruins many, that they despise religion. Those
that will not wonder and be saved, shall wonder and perish.
#42-52 The Jews opposed the doctrine the apostles preached; and
when they could find no objection, they blasphemed Christ and
his gospel. Commonly those who begin with contradicting, end
with blaspheming. But when adversaries of Christ's cause are
daring, its advocates should be the bolder. And while many judge
themselves unworthy of eternal life, others, who appear less
likely, desire to hear more of the glad tidings of salvation.
This is according to what was foretold in the Old Testament.
What light, what power, what a treasure does this gospel bring
with it! How excellent are its truths, its precepts, its
promises! Those came to Christ whom the Father drew, and to whom
the Spirit made the gospel call effectual, #Ro 8:30|. As many as
were disposed to eternal life, as many as had concern about
their eternal state, and aimed to make sure of eternal life,
believed in Christ, in whom God has treasured up that life, and
who is the only Way to it; and it was the grace of God that
wrought it in them. It is good to see honourable women devout;
the less they have to do in the world, the more they should do
for their own souls, and the souls of others: but it is sad,
when, under colour of devotion to God, they try to show hatred
to Christ. And the more we relish the comforts and
encouragements we meet with in the power of godliness, and the
fuller our hearts are of them, the better prepared we are to
face difficulties in the profession of godliness.