Ver. 1. But his father was a Greek] Both by nation and religion. This was an unlawful marriage, Exodus 34:10-17 De 7:1-5, and might be a means to humble the good woman, when once she came to a sight of her sin. David had his best children by Bathsheba, as Solomon, Nathan, of whom came Christ, &c. God can turn our sins to our good and comfort, as the skilful apothecary can make of a poisonous viper a wholesome treacle. Old Pharm. A medicinal compound, orig. a kind of salve, composed of many ingredients, formerly in repute as an alexipharmic against and antidote to venomous bites, poisons generally, and malignant diseases. ŒD
Ver. 2. Which was well reported of by the brethren] This is part of the reward of virtue, and follows it, as the shadow doth the body. [See Trapp on “Ec 7:1”] [See Trapp on “3Jo 12”]
Ver. 3. Took and circumcised him] Paul circumcised Timothy, as a Gentile; in that, for a Jew to be circumcised was no yieldance. And those words, “they all knew his father to be a Greek” demonstrate, he went in estimation for a Gentile. Calvin refusing to administer the communion in Geneva, and to use therein unleavened bread or wafer cakes, was compelled to depart the city; and was not received thither again until he had allowed of the same kind of bread. De quo postea restitutus, nunquam contendendum putavit; minims tamen dissimulans quid alioqui magis esset probaturus. [See Trapp on “Ac 15:28”] Beza in Vita Calvini.
Ver. 4. They delivered them the decrees] Which were agreeable to the Scriptures. And if Gregory thought that the decrees of the four first general councils were to be received with like reverence and respect as the four holy Gospels, how much more these! But what a tyrant is the pope to obtrude his decretals, and the decrees of his councils (though directly opposite to the revealed will of God), upon the consciences of the misled multitude, to be observed, with a Non obstante! The Council of Constance (for instance) comes in with a Non obstante against Christ’s institution, withholding the cup from the sacrament; so for prayers in an unknown tongue, singing of psalms, ministers’ marriage. When the pope sets forth any bulls, commonly he concludes thus, Non obstantibus et ordinationibus Apostolicis, caeterisque contrariis quibuscunque. Caranza Sum. Concil. sess. 13.
Ver. 5. Established in the faith, and increased in number] Some were converted by their ministry, others confirmed. This is still the fruit of faithful preaching, which is far more effectual hereunto than other ordinances; like as the rain from heaven hath a fatness with it, and a special influence, more than other standing waters, and as milk from the breast is most nourishing.
Ver. 6. And were forbidden, &c.] This was a heavier judgment upon those coasts than to be denied a harvest, or the light of the sun. Prize the preaching of the gospel as a singular privilege. They that are without a teaching priest are without God, 2 Chronicles 15:3. There were ambassadors sent out of Nubia in Africa to the king of Habassia, to entreat him for a supply of ministers to instruct their nation, and repair Christianity gone to ruin among them; but they were rejected. Amos’s famine of the word is far more deplorable than Samaria’s famine of bread in that strait siege. Alvarez Hist. Aethiop, c. 137.
Ver. 7. But the Spirit suffered them not] The Spirit still lusteth against the flesh, and the flesh against, the Spirit, in the hearts of the regenerate, so that they cannot do what they would, Galatians 5:17. As they cannot do what good they would in regard of the flesh, so neither what evil they would in regard of the Spirit.
Ver. 8. Came down to Troas] The relics of old Troy, called also Antigonia and Alexandria, as Pliny testifieth.
Ver. 9. Into Macedonia and help us] The ministers are those by whom God helpeth his perishing people, and pulleth them out of the devil’s danger. Hence they are called saviours, Obadiah 21 1Ti 4:16; redeemers, Job 33:24,28; co-workers with Christ, 2 Corinthians 6:1.
Ver. 10. Assuredly gathering] It was not therefore a bare vision, but set on upon their spirits by the testimony of the Holy Spirit, as all visions are that come from God. We read in the Roman history of a vision that Brutus had the night before that ill fated battle at Philippi, calling him into Macedonia too, but for his utter ruin. This was a vision from the devil, doubtless, that old man slayer. Cuthbert Simpson’s vision, and afterwards Mr Laremouth’s (who was chaplain to Queen Anne of Cleve), whereby they were comforted in and delivered out of prison, we may read of in the Book of Martyrs. Cardinal Cusan foretold, by some vision that he had, a reformation of religion that should occur A.D. 1507, which was over fifty years after his death. John Trithemius foretold the same A. D. 1508. Genius vero qui Trithemio haec dictavit, albus an ater fuerit, ego non facile dixerim. Merito suspectum est piis, &c., saith Bucholcerus. Who told him so much I cannot tell; but it was the devil in all likelihood. But what a strange conference was that which Luther had with the devil, by his own confession; whereby he was admonished of many abuses of the mass, which thereupon he wrote against. Is Satan divided against himself? Comes any good out of such a Nazareth? Need we not to prove the spirits, whether they be of God? How many have we today (our modern enthusiasts) that dream their Midianitish dreams, and then tell it for gospel to their neighbours as wise as themselves! that lead men into the lion’s mouth (that roaring lion, I mean), under pretence of a revelation; as that old impostor did the young prophet, 1 Kings 13:11-18.