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Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Wiersbe wrote, “It is comforting to know that even apostles were not always clear as to God's will for their ministries!” Swindoll adds that "When you’re following the plan of God, dead ends are never mistakes." (Ibid) A T
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Wiersbe writes that "Philippi was a Roman colony, which meant that it was a "Rome away from Rome." The emperor organized "colonies" by ordering Roman citizens, especially retired military people, to live in selected places so there would be strong pro-Roman cities in these strategic areas. Though living on foreign soil, the citizens were expected to be loyal to Rome, to obey the laws of Rome, and to give honor to the Roman emperor. In return, they were given certain political privileges, not the least of which was exemption from taxes. This was their reward for leaving their homes in Italy and relocating elsewhere." (Bible Exposition Commentary) What the Bible teaches – The new territory opened up for the gospel, principally in Europe, focusses mainly on five cities, implying that this second journey could well be called A Tale of Five Cities. There is only one speech recorded compared with two during the first missionary journey. This speech (hardly a sermon, 17:22-31) was delivered in Athens, and could well be compared with that to the people of Lystra in 14:15-17. But the amount of other detail given by Luke, now an eyewitness for part of the time, is greater than that given for the various places visited on the first journey. This detail embraces the kind of officials responsible for local government in all the places except Athens, and in every case Luke informs us about the condemnatory accusations made against the preachers, in addition to the usual stories of converts and reactions to the preachers. David J. Williams notes that Philippi "possessed the ius Italicum, which carried the right of freedom (libertas), that is, they were self-governing, independent of the provincial government; the right of exemption from tax (immunitas); and the right of holding land in full ownership, as under Roman law, and of using Italian legal procedures and precedents. In 16:16-40 we have a clear picture of this procedure and one, moreover, that belongs precisely to this time. (New International Biblical Commentary: Acts) And from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia - From Neapolis they travelled 8-10 miles to Philippi. See Wikipedia note on Macedonia which was the Roman province in Greece. Leading is protos which means first, foremost, most important, most prominent. Swindoll - The seat of Roman government lay in Amphipolis, a little more than 35 miles southwest, so Philippi became known as a chief city because of its economy and influence. It commanded a strategic location for both land and sea trade. In addition to robust agriculture and gold-mining industries, the city was the site of a famous school of medicine. (Ibid) A T
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Wiersbe quips "Paul had seen a man in the vision at Troas, but here he was ministering to a group of women! 'It is better that the words of the Law be burned than be delivered to a woman!" said the rabbis; but that was no longer Paul's philosophy. He had been obedient and the Lord had gone before to prepare the way. (Bible Exposition Commentary) Bruce adds that "Had there been ten Jewish men, they would have sufficed to constitute a synagogue. No number of women would compensate for the absence of even one man necessary to make up the quorum of ten. Resources Related to Prayer Colossians 1:9 Commentary Colossians 4:12 Commentary Devotional on Prayer Guide to Praying for Missionaries Pithy Prayer Phrases Prayer - Greek Words for Prayer Prayer Devotionals and Illustrations Prayer Hymns and Poems Prayer Quotes Prayer Quotes, Devotionals and Illustrations Praying His Word Praying in the Spirit Spurgeon's Gems on Prayer We sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled - Began speaking is in the imperfect tense, over and over. To take a seated position was the normal posture for teaching (cf Mt 5:1, 13:2, Lk 4:20). Contrary to what many people say about Paul, he was not a male chauvinist as he is often labeled because of his teaching on women (e.g., 1 Ti 2:12, etc). Paul was a former Pharisee which shows the transforming power of the Gospel, because Pharisees would not condescend to teach a woman. Not to mention that a regular prayer of these biased legalists was to thank God they were neither Gentiles, slaves or women! Even the secular Greek/Roman culture did not treat women with the respect they deserve as those souls created in the image of God! For Paul's attitude toward women see Phoebe (Ro 16:1, cf Ro 16:3, Php 4:2-3 = "women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel"). Notice the phrase the women who had assembled indicates there were no men! Assembled (4905)(sunerchomai from sun = with, together + erchomai = to come) means to get together for a specific purpose in this case to pray and read the Old Testament law. Acts 16:14 A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. KJV Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. NET Acts 16:14 A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, a God-fearing woman, listened to us. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying. GNT Acts 16:14 καί τις γυνὴ ὀνόματι Λυδία, πορφυρόπωλις πόλεως Θυατείρων σεβομένη τὸν θεόν, ἤκουεν, ἧς ὁ κύριος διήνοιξεν τὴν καρδίαν προσέχειν τοῖς λαλουμένοις ὑπὸ τοῦ Παύλου. NLT Acts 16:14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. ESV Acts 16:14 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. CSB Acts 16:14 A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was spoken by Paul. NIV Acts 16:14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. NAB Acts 16:14 One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened, and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul was saying. NKJ Acts 16:14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. NJB Acts 16:14 One of these women was called Lydia, a woman from the town of Thyatira who was in the purple-dye trade, and who revered God. She listened to us, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying. GWN Acts 16:14 A woman named Lydia was present. She was a convert to Judaism from the city of Thyatira and sold purple dye for a living. She was listening because the Lord made her willing to pay attention to what Paul said. NRS Acts 16:14 A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. YLT Acts 16:14 and a certain woman, by name Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, worshipping God, was hearing, whose heart the Lord did open to attend to the things spoken by Paul; Lydia : Ac 16:40 Thyatira : Rev 1:11 2:18-24 worshipper : Ac 8:27 10:2 18:7 Joh 12:20 Opened her heart - Ac 11:21 Ps 110:3 Song 5:4 Isa 50:5 Lu 24:45 Joh 6:44,45 Ro 9:16 1Co 3:6,7 2Co 3:14-16 4:4-6 Eph 1:17,18 Php 2:13 Jas 1:16,17 Rev 3:7,20 Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GOD ALONE OPENS HEARTS TO BELIEVE And a certain woman named Lydia - Lydia apparently holds the distinction as the first European Christian! There goes male chauvinism! I get it because my wife came to Christ before I did and then enlisted a group of women to pray for almost one year until the Spirit swept me into the Kingdom of God. Lydia may have been named after the land of Lydia, though Lydia is a common female name. When Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians (about 10 years later) he did not mention Lydia who may have died meanwhile. Lydia was certainly not Paul's wife. Vincent on Lydia. An adjective: the Lydian; but as Lydia was a common name among the Greeks and Romans, it does not follow that she was named from her native country. City of Thyatira From the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics - Thyatira (plural form like Philippi) was famous for its purple dyes as old as Homer (Iliad) and had a guild of dyers as inscriptions show (see Vincent's note below). There was a great demand for purple fabric as it was used on the official toga at Rome and in Roman colonies. (See color picture). (Purple dye). Thyatira was one of the seven churches (see map) Jesus personally addressed in Revelation Rev 2:18-29 (see comments). Ironically these words were written about 40 years after Lydia's encounter here in Acts 16 and described another woman in Thyatira named Jezebel, the antithesis of Lydia!.
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Wiersbe wrote, “We must not conclude that because God opened Lydia’s heart, Lydia’s part in her conversion was entirely passive. She listened attentively to the Word, and it is the Word that brings the sinner to the Savior. The same God who ordained the end, Lydia’s salvation, also ordained the means to the end, Paul’s witness of Jesus Christ.” And the Lord opened her heart - The Lord thoroughly, totally opened her mind by dividing the mind was was previously closed and causing her to understand spiritual truths otherwise hidden to the natural mind. (cf Lu 24:31, 45+). Repentance is a gift to undeserving sinners granted by a merciful, kind God [Ro 2:4+ Acts 5:31+, Acts 11:18+] This verse is clear proof of the sovereignty of God in salvation. THOUGHT - This is good news for every disciple, especially those of us who are shy or do not feel equipped to adequately share the Gospel. Guess what? The results do not depend on us! (cf 2 Cor 3:5-6+, Zech 4:6, John 6:63, etc) We are simply to be "farmers" sowing seeds of God's Good News (cf Ps 126:5, 6, Da 12:3+, Eccl 11:1, 6, Pr 11:18b,1 Cor 9:6, Mt 9:37, 38, Lk 10:2+). It is not about "getting it right" or making the perfect presentation. It is simply about sowing a few Gospel seeds - like writing out Acts 16:31+ on the receipt of the restaurant bill (after you have left a generous trip), offering to pray for your waiter or waitress in the Name of Jesus, simply saying something like "I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." (Ro 1:16+). Be encouraged. Be bold. Be prepared to present a Word in season and out of season (2 Ti 4:2+)! C H Spurgeon the greatest preacher in modern times was saved by a word from a man whose presentation was far from perfect, a man who was not even a preacher but who stood up because the preacher was prevented from coming by a violent snowstorm (God's providence!). And guess what this simple unlearned man said? He read one verse from Isaiah 45:22KJV "Look (a command) unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." That is all it took for God's Spirit to open the heart of C H Spurgeon, and as they say "The rest is history!" So never underestimate the power of God's Word and God's Spirit to take a word you have spoke and birth a man or woman into the kingdom of God....and you never know when it might be a "C H Spurgeon!" (See C.H.Spurgeon's Testimony) When Lydia heard the gospel, the Spirit of God opened her heart and she believed--another example where divine election and human responsibility are naturally juxtaposed. Salvation is a work God must do in all who believe, because as Jesus said, "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:44). To open the heart indicates that the Lord caused her to understand (BAGD; EDNT) or that He caused her to have an open mind :with a willingness to learn and evaluate fairly." (New Linguistic & Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament ) Opened (1272)(dianoigo from dia = through, between, used here as an intensive + anoigo = to open, remove that which obstructs) means to open completely (wide, like "double folding doors" or as when Stephen in his last moments before martyrdom saw "the heavens opened up" Acts 7:56) and can speak of opening to one's understanding what is otherwise hidden to their intellect. To open the sense of Scripture and thus to explain the Scripture. To thoroughly disclose or cause one to thoroughly understand. Albert
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Wiersbe - Prayer and praise are powerful weapons (2 Chr 20:1–22; Acts 4:23–37). God responded by shaking the foundations of the prison, opening all the doors, and loosening the prisoners’ bonds. They could have fled to freedom, but instead they remained right where they were. For one thing, Paul immediately took command; and, no doubt, the fear of God was on these pagan men. The prisoners must have realized that there was something very special about those two Jewish preachers! Acts 16:25-34 A Forgiving Spirit By David C. Egner Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. —Matthew 5:44. During the war in Kosovo in 1999, three Americans were captured and held hostage for more than a month. After intense negotiations, a breakthrough occurred and the prisoners were allowed to go free. Roy Lloyd was part of the delegation that secured their release. He reported, “Each of the three young soldiers was very religious. One of them, Christopher Stone, would not leave until he was allowed to go back to the soldier who served as his guard and pray for him.” Here was a young man who knew something about the principles of Jesus. He could have resented his circumstances and hated his captors. He could have developed a bitter, vengeful spirit. He could have carried a burning rage out of that difficulty. But following the command of Jesus (Matthew 5:44) and the example of Paul and Silas in Philippi (Acts 16:25-34), he forgave his captor and ministered to him. In a world where retaliation is common, believers are called to be different. We are to pray for our persecutors, forgive them, and minister to them. For Further Study Why should we forgive? (Matthew 6:14-15). Whom should we forgive? (Luke 17:3-4). How can we forgive? (Galatians 5:22-25). We are never more Christlike than when we choose to forgive Acts 16:35 Now when day came, the chief magistrates sent their policemen, saying, “Release those men.” Ac 4:21 5:40 Ps 76:10 Jer 5:22 Sir William Ramsay - Acts 16:35 (St Paul the Traveller and Roman Citizen Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MAGISTRATE'S CHANGE OF HEART Now when day came, the chief magistrates sent their policemen, saying, “Release those men.” - Why the change? Were they shaken out of their beds the previous night? Did they see it as an "omen" (pagans were very superstitious)? The jailer may have put in a good word for them? We simply do not know why they had a change of heart. Magistrates (captains, officials) (4755) see discussion of strategos Policemen (4465)(rhabdoúchos from rhábdos = a rod + échō = to have) is literally a "rod–holder," and thus an officer who attended to the magistrates of Roman cities and colonies and executed their decrees. Zodhiates adds that "It is said that they carried on their shoulders what they called the Roman fasces (i.e., bundles of rods with an axe in the middle of them) as the ensigns and instruments of their office (Acts 16:35, 38 = only 2 uses of this word). They administered punishment by scourging or beheading." NET Note adds that "The term was used of the Roman lictor and roughly corresponds to contemporary English “constable, policeman.”
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Wiersbe observes you can mark it down that "No sooner are lost people saved than Satan begins to hinder the work. In this case, he used a demonized girl who had made her masters wealthy by telling fortunes." (Bible Exposition Commentary) That as we were going to the place of prayer (proseuche) - Presumably the same place as Acts 16:13 but with a strikingly different result! John G. Butler wrote, “Those prayer meetings by the riverside... attracted a lot of attention from the adversary of our souls. He knows that prayer is a mighty weapon against his kingdom, and that if he can hinder the praying of the saints, he can hinder the work of the saints against his kingdom... Satan does not hinder the recreation programs, the suppers, the socials, the parties, and many other like programs at church as he will hinder times of prayer. He is not bothered by a large attendance at church when it is for a supper or banquet or a ball game. But if a large crowd comes to pray, he will endeavor to make a disturbance of some sort to hinder the praying.” A slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us - Slavery was common the Roman Empire (some say up to 60 million slaves), but this slave was unusual as she was triply enslaved - (1) to her masters (2) to demonic forces and (3) to Sin, a third "master." It is worth noting that Spirit of divination is literally reads a "spirit of Python."
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Wiersbe - Bible Exposition Commentary – Be Daring Acts 13-28). Ramsay wrote that "The most sensitive part of 'civilized' man is the pocket"! In Ephesus, we see a similar conflict between Paul and the worshippers of the false idol Artemis, as the gospel had begun to negatively impact the sale of the lifeless shrines of Artemis. Luke records… Acts 19:25-26 these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, "Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. Mark 5:16-17 And those who had seen it described to them how it had happened to the demon possessed man, and all about the swine. And they began to entreat Him to depart from their region. (Comment: They did not care that the man was set free from the demon, but that their profit was gone.) Hope (1680) (elpis) is used usually in Scripture to refer to an absolute certainty of future good (as the blessed hope of the Lord's sure return in Titus 2:13 - see note). However in this verse hope is used as it is by the secular world conveying the sense of "I hope so". They had lost the "hope so" aspect of profit! Profit (see above for ergasia from ergázomai = to toil, work) refers here to their work in the sense of their business or trade (they "traded" in fortune telling) and in the sense of that which brings gain or income. (See this nuance in Acts 16:16, 19; Acts 19:24). NET Note - It is often the case that destructive practices and commerce are closely tied together.
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Wiersbe - “What must I do to be saved?” is the cry of lost people worldwide, and we had better be able to give them the right answer. The legalists in the church would have replied, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1, NKJV). But Paul knew the right answer—faith in Jesus Christ. In the Book of Acts, the emphasis is on faith in Jesus Christ alone (Acts 2:38–39; Acts 4:12; Acts 8:12, 37; Acts 10:10–43; Acts 13:38–39). (BEC) Acts 16:31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Believe : Ac 2:38,39 4:12 8:37 11:13,14 13:38,39 15:11 Isa 45:22 Hab 2:4 Mk 16:16 Joh 1:12 3:15,16,36 6:40,47 7:37,38 11:25,26 20:31 Ro 5:1,2 10:9,10 Ga 3:22,26 Eph 2:7,8 1Jn 5:10-13 and thy : Ac 16:15,32 2:39 18:8 Ge 17:7 18:19 Jer 32:39 Ro 11:16 Ga 3:14 Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries AN URGENT COMMAND TO BELIEVE Believe - Is in the aorist imperative which conveys a sense of urgency = Do this now. These words must be connected with "believe" as well as "be saved." Don't procrastinate for you may not have tomorrow (2 Cor 6:2). Don't prevaricate when you have just heard the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in the Gospel! If you don't take a stand on the truth, you may fall for the lie of Satan. S Lewis
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Wiersbe - The phrase “and thy house” does not mean that the faith of the jailer would automatically bring salvation to his family. Each sinner must trust Christ personally in order to be born again, for we cannot be saved “by proxy.” The phrase means “and your household will be saved if they will also believe.” We must not read into this statement the salvation of infants (with or without baptism) because it is clear that Paul was dealing with people old enough to hear the Word (Acts 16:32), to believe, and to rejoice (Acts 16:34). So-called “household salvation” has no basis in the Word of God—that is, that the decision of the head of the household brings salvation to the members of the household. The people in the household of Cornelius were old enough to respond to his call (Acts 10:24) and to understand the Word and believe (Acts 10:44; 11:15–17; 15:7–9). The household of Crispus was composed of people old enough to hear and believe God’s Word (Acts 18:8). There is no suggestion here that the adults made decisions for infants or children.
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Wiersbe - One of the evidences of true repentance is a loving desire to make restitution and reparation wherever we have hurt others. We should not only wash one another's feet (John 13:14-15), but we should also cleanse the wounds we have given to others." (Bible Exposition Commentary – Be Daring). If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. “For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. (John 13:14-15) Chrysostom - He washed and was washed, he washed them from their stripes, and was himself washed from his sins (Homilies on Acts 36). Compare - "by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit" - Titus 3:5+ Isa 1:16+ = “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil." Isa 1:18+ = “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool." Washed their wounds - what the jailor did to remove the stains left by the rods of the lictors. Immediately he was baptized - Remember this must have been sometime between midnight and daylight! One wonders how many people have so desired to identify with Christ that they sought baptism irregardless of the hour or circumstances? How long did it take for you to be baptized after you were born again? Have you ever been baptized? Are you born again? If you are you should seek to be baptized as a public testimony to the goodness and grace of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to save your soul! And so they were baptized just like Lydia and her household (Acts 16:15) and just like those men and women who responded to Phillip's proclamation of the Gospel… But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. (Acts 8:12+) Wiersbe poses an interesting question - What about the other prisoners? Luke doesn't give us the details, but it is possible that some of them were also born again through the witness of Paul and Silas and the jailer. Some of these prisoners may have been waiting for execution, so imagine their joy at hearing a message of salvation! Paul and Silas thought nothing of their own pains as they rejoiced in what God did in that Philippian jail! No doubt the jailer later joined with Lydia in the assembly. Adrian Rogers - Right away he and all his family were baptized. Acts 16:33 - The great ingathering of souls recorded on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 affirms that a person must first receive the word of the gospel, and then be baptized. Those of Cornelius's house in Acts 10 followed the same procedure: they first received the Holy Spirit, and then they were baptized. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas said to the Philippian jailer, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). That same hour of the night, he and his family were baptized. First he heard the word of the Lord, believed on Jesus, and then was baptized. This is the biblical order. (What Every Christian Ought to Know) Larkin - The jailer and his household are the quintessential converts. They come to faith through hearing the Word, confess that faith in baptism, experience the eschatological joy of their new vertical relationship, and live out their new life of grace through physical help and hospitality in their horizontal relationship (Acts 16:11-40 Witness at Philippi) Paul Apple - Four Fruits of Faith (1) (Acts 16:33a) Ministry of Compassion “And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds,” fruit of repentance – testifying that it had been wrong for them to have been beaten and now he was going to do what he could to make it right Start serving the Lord immediately; do what you can do from a changed heart (2) (Acts 16:33b) Discipleship of Obedience “and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.” Issue of Infant Baptism – this passage is pointed to frequently for support – but actually it clearly emphasizes believer baptism throughout: If you believe, you will be saved; if any in your household believe, they also will be saved - Word of God spoken to all of them – doubt that infants would have much comprehension - They all believed - They all were baptized - They all ate together and rejoiced greatly