The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

CHAP. XX.

1 AND after the tumult was ceased, when Paul had called unto him the disciples, and had embraced them, he took his journey that he might go into Macedonia. 2 And when he had walked through those parts, and had with much speech exhorted them, he came into Grecia. 3 And when he had spent three months there, when the Jews laid in wait for him as he was about to loose into Syria: he purposed to return through Macedonia. 4 And there accompanied him unto Asia, Sopater of Berrhea: and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Caius of Derby, and Timotheus: and of Asia, Tichichus and Trophimus. 5 When these were gone before, they stayed for us at Troas. 6 And we sailed away after the day of sweet bread from Philippi, and came to them to Troas within five days, where we stayed seven days.

1 AND after the tumult was ceased, when Paul had called vnto him the disciples, and had imbraced them, he tooke his iourney that hee might goe into Macedonia. 2 And when he had walked through those partes, and had with much speech exhorted them, he came into Grecia. 3 And when he had spent three monethes there, when the Iewes laid in wait for him as he was about to loose into Syria: he purposed to returne through Macedonia. 4 And there accompanied him vnto Asia, Sopater of Berrhea: and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Caius of Derbie, and Timotheus: and of Asia, Tichichus and Trophimus. 5 When these were gone before, they stayed for vs at Troas. 6 And we sailed away after the day of sweet bread from Philippi, and came to them to Troas within fiue dayes, where we staied seuen daies.

1 Luke declareth in this chapter how Paul loosing from Asia, did again cross the Seas to go to Jerusalem. And though whatsoever is written in this narration be worthy of most diligent meditation and marking: yet doth it need no long exposition. It appeareth that the church was preserved in safety by the wonderful power of God amidst those troublesome tumults. The church of Ephesus was as yet slender & weak: the faithful having had experience of a sudden motion once, might for just causes fear, least like storms should ever now and then arise. We need not doubt that Paul did with much ado depart from them: yet because greater necessity doth draw him unto another place, he is enforced to leave his sons who were lately begotten and had as yet scarce escaped shipwreck, in the midst of the raging Sea. As for them though they be very loth to forgo Paul, yet least they do injury to other churches, they do not keep him back nor stay him. So that we see that they were not wedded to themselves, but that they were careful for the kingdom of Christ, that they might provide as well for their brethren as for themselves. We must diligently note these examples, that one of us may study to help another in this miserable dispersing: but if it so fall out at any time that we be bereft of profitable helps, let us not doubt nor waver, knowing that God doth hold the helm of our ship. And we must also note this that Paul doth not depart until he have saluted the Brethren, but doth rather strengthen them at his departure. As Luke sayeth straightway of the Macedonians, that Paul exhorted them with many words: that is not overfieldes, as if it were sufficient to put them only in mind of their duty: but as he commandeth else where that others should do, he urged importunately and beat in throughly, things which were needful to be known: that they might never be forgotten.