Atos 9
Kenneth Wuest · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 9
Wuest adds that “The words after three years do not merely refer to a lapse of time. They are argumentative. [That is, they build an argument.] Paul is showing all through this section, his entire independence of the Jerusalem apostles. Therefore, the three years have reference, not to the time after his return from Arabia, but to the period of time after his conversion.” Note that the term Arabia does not refer solely to a vast desert wasteland, like the deserts of modern day Saudi Arabia. In the first century Arabia was the region from Damascus in the north, through modern day Jordan and to the Red Sea on the south (see map). Of course this vast geographic expanse had deserts, but it also had many towns, and the famous city of Petra was a major city. Wikipedia identifies Arabia with "the Nabataean Kingdom (cf King Aretas the King of the Nabataeans from roughly 9 BC to 40 AD and mentioned by Paul in 2 Cor 11:32-33) controlled much of the trade routes of the region, amassing a large wealth drawing the envy of its neighbors. It stretched south along the Red Sea coast into the Hejaz desert, up to as far north as Damascus." Kistemaker on the plot to kill Saul - the Jews work through official channels of local government and intend to achieve their objective to eliminate Paul. According to the parallel passage (2 Cor. 11:32–33), the official government representative in Damascus is not the Roman governor but the ethnarch (governor) appointed by Aretas IV, king of the Nabatean Arabs (9 B.C.–A.D. 40). In the last few years of his life, this Nabatean king took Damascus from Roman control and temporarily ruled it. His governor now gives orders to watch the city gates of Damascus, because he and the Jews want to capture and kill Paul. (BNTC-Acts)
Atos 9
Wuest on paraklesis - The word has various meanings; “a calling near, a summons, imploration, supplication, entreaty, exhortation, admonition, encouragement, consolation, solace.” The well-rounded all-inclusive idea is that of encouragement, of aid given the needy person, whether it be consolation, exhortation, or supplication. (Philippians Commentary - Verse by Verse Comments online)