Acts 16 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Acts 16

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

16:1 Paul¹ came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers² at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

The Macedonian Call

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul³ had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

The Conversion of Lydia

11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the⁴ district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

Paul and Silas in Prison

16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

The Philippian Jailer Converted

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer⁵ called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

Footnotes

[1] 16:1 Greek He
[2] 16:2 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 40
[3] 16:10 Greek he
[4] 16:12 Or that
[5] 16:29 Greek he

Commentary

v1-3: Paul, and Silas, travel through to the cities previously visited. They meet Timothy, whom Paul circumcises "because of the Jews." This is in contradiction even of the letter from Jerusalem they carry; again this is a symptom of the problems and pressures of transition.

v4-5: They deliver the letter to the various churches, bringing encouragement. Their visits and the letter ensure that similar standards are maintained in the churches. See 1 Cor 7.17, in relation to a different issue.

v6-8: God's guidance to the team, now Paul, Silas and Timothy. They are directed by God, into some places, but away from others. In 1 Pet 1.1, there are Christians in those areas Paul does not visit, where presumably others laboured.

Having said that, it seems God's call is to people, rather than places; 'come over and help us.'

v9-10: The Macedonian call; a vision of a man; this vision communicates the urgency of the situation, and Paul "immediately" seeks to go there, concluding this to be God's call.

The guidance of God is not explained in detail here, but we see that He certainly did guide.

Luke joins the team at this point; "they" changes to "we." He now records events that he witnesses.

v11-12: Journey to Philippi in Macedonia; the vision did not contain a detailed explanation, so Paul trusts God to lead him to the right place within Macedonia. They remain in Philippi some time.

v13: Praying women; there is no synagogue in Philippi. But no men praying; the may be at work, or have little spiritual interest.

v14-15: The conversion of Lydia, the first convert in Europe.

Paul's ministry in Europe is marked by fewer miracles than in Judea and Samaria, although there are some in Ephesus, 19.11-12.

The Lord opened her heart that she might respond to the message; see also v29-30. She believes in the Lord Jesus, and is baptised; see also v34. As a result, she shows hospitality to Paul and his companions, see also v34.

We see also that Lydia's whole household believe and are baptised, as are the jailer's later. Here is a corporate decision to follow Jesus Christ, rather than just something personal and individual.

Lydia is evidently a woman of some wealth, as she provides for Paul and his companions; here again is divine provision for a divine mission.

v16: The spirit of divination, occultic opposition; there is real power in this evil. Earlier there was opposition from Simon the Sorcerer and Elymas; evidence of "principalities and powers" at work, the devil's legions at work in opposition to the message of Christ.

v17: The false spirit recognises the presence of a greater power in Paul; the Most High God.

v18: Although the girl's words are true, Paul sees the reality of the opposition, and rebukes her.

v19-21: The real reason behind the opposition, "their hope of profit." The accusation is quite different, alleging that Paul is encouraging something illegal.

As we see progress and growth, we find opposition, which does not play by the rules of honesty and integrity.

v22-24: No proper trial; just unjust imprisonment.

v25-28: Real joy depends on Jesus Christ, not our circumstances. The followers of Jesus Christ enjoy His blessing; just as Peter slept in prison (12.6), knowing God's peace.

The word of God is not bound; and events turn out for the furtherance of the gospel, Phil 1.12.

v29-30: The jailer is fearful of the events, and just wants to be saved.

v31-32: Truth declared and then explained. As John Fawcett comments: '‘No long course or preparation, no pre-requisites, no previous qualifications are necessary.’ (Christ Precious)

v33-34: The whole household is baptised, and Paul and Silas enjoy hospitality. See 10.24, 44.

v35-40: The abuse by the governing authorities is clear, and Paul uses his Roman citizenship to his advantage, as in 22.28. The whole matter is 'hushed up,' so as not to undermine their authority. Paul considers that he has certain rights as a citizen; in his letters his emphasis is on the responsibilities of the citizen of Heaven.