Read Scripture In A Year: May 6

Passage 1: Deuteronomy 23

(Deu 23:1) None that is hurt by bursting, or that hath his priuie member cut off, shall enter into the Congregation of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, (a) shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.

(a) Either to bear office, or to marry a wife.

(Deu 23:2) A bastard shall not enter into the Congregation of the Lord: euen to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the Congregation of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) (b) A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.

(b) This was to cause them to live chastely, that their posterity might not be rejected.

(Deu 23:3) The Ammonites and the Moabites shall not enter into the Congregation of the Lord: euen to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the Congregation of the Lord for euer,

(Deu 23:4) Because they met you not with bread and water in the way, when yee came out of Egypt, and because they hyred against thee Balaam the sonne of Beor, of Pethor in Aram-naharaim, to curse thee.

(Notes Reference) Because they (c) met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.

(Deu 23:5) Neuerthelesse, the Lord thy God would not hearken vnto Balaam, but the Lord thy God turned the curse to a blessing vnto thee, because the Lord thy God loued thee.

(Deu 23:6) Thou shalt not seeke their peace nor their prosperitie all thy dayes for euer.

(Notes Reference) Thou (d) shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.

(d) You shall have nothing to do with them.

(Deu 23:7) Thou shalt not abhorre an Edomite: for he is thy brother, neither shalt thou abhorre an Egyptian, because thou wast a strager in his land.

(Deu 23:8) The children that are begotten of them in their thirde generation, shall enter into the Congregation of the Lord.

(Notes Reference) The children that are begotten (e) of them shall enter into the congregation of the LORD in their third generation.

(e) If the fathers have renounced their idolatry, and received circumcision.

(Deu 23:9) When thou goest out with the host against thine enemies, keepe thee then from all wickednesse.

(Deu 23:10) If there be among you any that is vncleane by that which commeth to him by night, he shall goe out of the hoste, and shall not enter into the hoste,

(Deu 23:11) But at euen he shall wash him selfe with water, and when the sunne is downe, he shall enter into the hoste.

(Deu 23:12) Thou shalt haue a place also without the hoste whither thou shalt resort,

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither

thou shalt (f) go forth abroad:

(f) For the necessities of nature.

(Deu 23:13) And thou shalt haue a paddle among thy weapons, and when thou wouldest sit downe without, thou shalt shalt digge therewith, and returning thou shalt couer thine excrements.

(Notes Reference) And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and (g) cover that which cometh from thee:

(g) Meaning by this that his people should be pure both in body and soul.

(Deu 23:14) For the Lord thy God walketh in the mids of thy campe to deliuer thee, and to giue thee thine enemies before thee: therefore thine hoste shalbe holy, that he see no filthie thing in thee and turne away from thee.

(Deu 23:15) Thou shalt not deliuer the seruant vnto his master, which is escaped from his master vnto thee.

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt not (h) deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:

(h) This is meant of the heathen , who fled because of their masters' cruelty, and embrace the true religion.

(Deu 23:16) He shall dwell with thee, euen among you, in what place he shall chuse, in one of thy cities where it liketh him best: thou shalt not vexe him.

(Deu 23:17) There shalbe no whore of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a whore keeper of the sonnes of Israel.

(Deu 23:18) Thou shalt neyther bring the hyre of a whore, nor the price of a dogge into the house of the Lord thy God for any vow: for euen both these are abomination vnto the Lord thy God.

(Notes Reference) Thou shalt not bring the (i) hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these [are] abomination unto the LORD thy God.

(i) Forbidding that any income gained from evil things should be applied to the service of God, (Mic_2:7).

(Deu 23:19) Thou shalt not giue to vsurie to thy brother: as vsurie of money, vsurie of meate, vsurie of any thing that is put to vsurie.

(Deu 23:20) Vnto a stranger thou mayest lend vpon vsurie, but thou shalt not lend vpon vsurie vnto thy brother, that the Lord thy God may blesse thee in all that thou settest thine hand to, in the land whither thou goest to possesse it.

(Notes Reference) Unto a (k) stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may (l) bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

(k) This was permitted for a time because of the hardness of their hearts.

(l) If you show charity to your brother, God will declare his love toward you.

(Deu 23:21) When thou shalt vowe a vowe vnto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not be slacke to paye it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee, and so it should be sinne vnto thee.

(Deu 23:22) But when thou absteinest from vowing, it shalbe no sinne vnto thee.

(Deu 23:23) That which is gone out of thy lippes, thou shalt keepe and performe, as thou hast vowed it willingly vnto the Lord thy God: for thou hast spoken it with thy mouth.

(Notes Reference) That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt (m) keep and perform; [even] a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

(m) If the vow is lawful and godly.

(Deu 23:24) When thou commest vnto thy neighbours vineyard, then thou mayest eate grapes at thy pleasure, as much as thou wilt: but thou shalt put none in thy vessell.

(Notes Reference) When thou comest into (n) thy neighbour's vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put [any] in thy (o) vessel.

(n) Being hired for labour.

(o) To bring home to your house.

(Deu 23:25) When thou commest into thy neighbours corne thou mayest plucke the eares with thine hand, but thou shalt not moue a sickle to thy neighbours corne.

Passage 2: Songofsolomon 3

(Son 3:1) In my bed by night I sought him that my soule loued: I sought him, but I found him not.

(Notes Reference) By (a) night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

(a) The Church by night, that is, in troubles, seeks Christ, but is not incontinently heard.

(Son 3:2) I will rise therefore nowe, and goe about in the citie, by the streetes and by the open places, and wil seeke him that my soule loueth: I sought him, but I found him not.

(Notes Reference) I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will (b) seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

(b) Showing that although we are not heard at first, yet we must still continue in prayer, till we feel comfort.

(Son 3:3) The watchmen that went about the citie, found mee: to whome I said, Haue you seene him, whome my soule loueth?

(Notes Reference) The (c) watchmen that go about the city found me: [to whom I said], Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

(Son 3:4) When I had past a litle from them, then I found him whom my soule loued: I tooke holde on him and left him not, till I had brought him vnto my mothers house into the chamber of her that conceiued me.

(Son 3:5) I charge you, O daughters of Ierusalem, by the roes and by the hindes of the fielde, that ye stirre not vp, nor waken my loue vntill she please.

(Notes Reference) (d) I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake [my] love, till he please.

(d) See Son 2:7

(Son 3:6) Who is shee that commeth vp out of the wildernes like pillars of smoke perfumed with myrrhe and incense, and with all the spices of the marchant?

(Notes Reference) Who [is] this that cometh out of the (e) wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

(e) This refers to the Church of Israel which was led in the wilderness for forty years.

(Son 3:7) Beholde his bed, which is Salomons: threescore strong men are round about it, of the valiant men of Israel.

(Notes Reference) Behold his (f) bed, which [is] Solomon's; sixty valiant men [are] about it, of the valiant of Israel.

(f) By the bed is meant the temple which Solomon made.

(Son 3:8) They all handle the sworde, and are expert in warre, euery one hath his sword vpon his thigh for the feare by night.

(Notes Reference) They all hold swords, [being] expert in war: every man [hath] his sword upon his thigh because of fear (g) in the night.

(g) He alludes to the watch which kept the temple.

(Son 3:9) King Salomon made himselfe a palace of the trees of Lebanon.

(Son 3:10) Hee made the pillars thereof of siluer, and the pauement thereof of gold, the hangings thereof of purple, whose middes was paued with the loue of the daughters of Ierusalem.

(Son 3:11) Come forth, ye daughters of Zion, and behold the King Salomon with the crowne, wherewith his mother crowned him in ye day of his mariage, and in the day of the gladnes of his heart.

(Notes Reference) Go forth, O ye (h) daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the (i) crown with which his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.

(h) All you that are of the number of the faithful.

(i) Christ became man, was crowned by the love of God with the glorious crown of his divinity.

Passage 3: Acts 16-17

(Act 16:1) Then came he to Derbe and to Lystra: and beholde, a certaine disciple was there named Timotheus, a womans sonne, which was a Iewesse and beleeued, but his father was a Grecian,

(Notes Reference) Then (1) came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a (a) Jewess, and believed; but his father [was] a Greek:

(1) Paul himself does not receive Timothy into the ministry without sufficient testimony, and permission of the brethren.

(a) Paul, in his second epistle to Timothy, commends the godliness of Timothy's mother and grandmother.

(Act 16:2) Of whom the brethren which were at Lystra and Iconium, reported well.

(Notes Reference) Which was (b) well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

(b) Both for his godliness and honesty.

(Act 16:3) Therefore Paul would that he should go forth with him, and tooke and circumcised him, because of ye Iewes, which were in those quarters: for they knewe all, that his father was a Grecian.

(Notes Reference) (2) Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

(2) Timothy is circumcised, not simply for any necessity, but in respect of the time only, in order to win the Jews.

(Act 16:4) And as they went through the cities, they deliuered them the decrees to keepe, ordeined of the Apostles and Elders, which were at Hierusalem.

(Notes Reference) (3) And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the (c) decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

(3) Charity is to be observed in things indifferent so that regard is had both of the weak, and of the peace of the Church.

(Act 16:5) And so were the Churches stablished in the faith, and encreased in number daily.

(Act 16:6) Nowe when they had gone throughout Phrygia, and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden of the holy Ghost to preache the worde in Asia.

(Notes Reference) (4) Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were (d) forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

(4) God appoints certain and determinate times to open and set forth his truth, so that both the election and the calling may proceed of grace.

(d) He does not show why they were forbidden, but only that they were forbidden, teaching us to obey and not to enquire.

(Act 16:7) Then came they to Mysia, and sought to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

(Act 16:8) Therefore they passed through Mysia, and came downe to Troas,

(Act 16:9) Where a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stoode a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come into Macedonia, and helpe vs.

(Notes Reference) (5) And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

(5) They are the ministers of the Gospel by whom he helps those who are likely to perish.

(Act 16:10) And after he had seene the vision, immediatly we prepared to goe into Macedonia, being assured that the Lord had called vs to preache the Gospel vnto them.

(Notes Reference) (6) And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

(6) The Saints did not easily believe every vision.

(Act 16:11) Then went we forth from Troas, and with a straight course came to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis,

(Act 16:12) And from thence to Philippi, which is the chiefe citie in ye partes of Macedonia, and whose inhabitants came from Rome to dwell there, and we were in that citie abiding certaine dayes.

(Act 16:13) And on the Sabbath day, we went out of the citie, besides a Riuer, where they were wont to pray: and we sate downe, and spake vnto the women, which were come together.

(Notes Reference) (7) And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where (e) prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted [thither].

(7) God begins his kingdom in Macedonia by the conversion of a woman, and so shows that there is no exception of persons in the Gospel.

(e) Where they customarily assembled themselves.

(Act 16:14) And a certaine woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the citie of the Thyatirians, which worshipped God, heard vs: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended vnto the things, which Paul spake.

(Notes Reference) (8) 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.

(8) The Lord opens the heart to hear the word which is preached.

(Act 16:15) And when she was baptized, and her houshold, she besought vs, saying, If ye haue iudged me to be faithfull to ye Lord, come into mine house, and abide there: and she constrained vs.

(Notes Reference) (9) And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought [us], saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide [there]. And she constrained us.

(9) An example of a godly housewife.

(Act 16:16) And it came to passe that as we went to prayer, a certaine maide hauing a spirit of diuination, mette vs, which gate her masters much vantage with diuining.

(Notes Reference) (10) And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of (f) divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

(10) Satan transforms himself into an angel of light, and covets to enter by undermining, but Paul openly stops him, and casts him out.

(f) This is a sure sign of the god Apollo, who would give answers to those that asked him.

(Act 16:17) She followed Paul and vs, and cryed, saying, These men are the seruants of the most high God, which shewe vnto you the way of saluation.

(Act 16:18) And this did she many dayes: but Paul being grieued, turned about, and said to the spirit, I commaund thee in the Name of Iesus Christ, that thou come out of her. And he came out the same houre.

(Notes Reference) And this did she (g) many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

(g) Paul made no haste to do this miracle, for he did all things only as he was led by the Spirit.

(Act 16:19) Nowe when her masters sawe that the hope of their gaine was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drewe them into the market place vnto the Magistrates,

(Notes Reference) (11) And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew [them] into the marketplace unto the rulers,

(11) Covetousness of evil gain and of profit is an occasion for persecuting the truth. In the meanwhile, God sparing Timothy, calls Paul and Silas as the stronger to battle.

(Act 16:20) And brought them to the gouernours, saying, These men which are Iewes, trouble our citie,

(Notes Reference) (12) And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

(12) Covetousness pretends a desire for common peace and godliness.

(Act 16:21) And preache ordinances, which are not lawfull for vs to receiue, neither to obserue, seeing we are Romanes.

(Notes Reference) (13) And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

(13) It is an argument of the devil to use the authority of ancestors, though not distinguishing exactly which ancestors.

(Act 16:22) The people also rose vp together against them, and the gouernours rent their clothes, and commanded them to be beaten with roddes.

(Notes Reference) (14) And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat [them].

(14) An example of evil magistrates, to obey the fury and rage of the people.

(Act 16:23) And when they had beaten them sore, they cast them into prison, commaunding the Iayler to keepe them surely.

(Act 16:24) Who hauing receiued such commandement, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feete fast in the stockes.

(Notes Reference) Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet (h) fast in the stocks.

(h) Because he wanted to be more sure that they did not escape, he set them fast in the stocks.

(Act 16:25) Nowe at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sung Psalmes vnto God: and the prisoners heard them.

(Notes Reference) (15) And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

(15) The prayers of the godly do shake both heaven and earth.

(Act 16:26) And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundation of the prison was shaken: and by and by all the doores opened, and euery mans bands were loosed.

(Act 16:27) Then the keeper of the prison waked out of his sleepe, and when he sawe the prison doores open, he drewe out his sword and would haue killed himselfe, supposing the prisoners had bin fled.

(Notes Reference) (16) And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

(16) The merciful Lord, as often as he desires, draws men to life even through the midst of death, and whereas they justly deserved great punishment, he shows them great mercy.

(Act 16:28) But Paul cryed with a loude voyce, saying, Doe thy selfe no harme: for we are all here.

(Notes Reference) (17) But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

(17) In means which are especially extraordinary, we should not move our foot forward, unless God goes before us.

(Act 16:29) Then he called for a light, and leaped in, and came trembling, and fell downe before Paul and Silas,

(Act 16:30) And brought them out, and said, Syrs, what must I doe to be saued?

(Act 16:31) And they saide, Beleeue in the Lord Iesus Christ, and thou shalt be saued, and thine houshold.

(Act 16:32) And they preached vnto him the worde of the Lord, and to all that were in the house.

(Act 16:33) Afterwarde he tooke them the same houre of the night, and washed their stripes, and was baptized with all that belonged vnto him, straigthway.

(Notes Reference) (18) And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed [their] stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

(18) God with the very same hand wounds and heals when it pleases him.

(Act 16:34) And when he had brought them into his house, he set meate before them, and reioyced that he with all his houshold beleeued in God.

(Act 16:35) And when it was day, the gouernours sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men goe.

(Notes Reference) (19) And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.

(19) Shame and confusion is in due time the reward of wicked and unjust magistrates.

(Act 16:36) Then the keeper of the prison tolde these woordes vnto Paul, saying, The gouerness haue sent to loose you: nowe therefore get you hence, and goe in peace.

(Act 16:37) Then sayde Paul vnto them, After that they haue beaten vs openly vncodemned, which are Romanes, they haue cast vs into prison, and nowe would they put vs out priuily? nay verely: but let them come and bring vs out.

(Notes Reference) (20) But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast [us] into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

(20) We must not render injury for injury, and yet nonetheless it is lawful for us to use such helps as God gives us, to bridle the outrageousness of the wicked, so that they do not hurt others in a similar way.

(Act 16:38) And the sergeants tolde these woordes vnto the gouernours, who feared whe they heard that they were Romanes.

(Notes Reference) (21) And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

(21) The wicked are not moved with the fear of God, but with the fear of men: and by that means also God provides for his, when it is needed.

(Act 16:39) Then came they and praied them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the citie.

(Act 16:40) And they went out of the prison, and entred into the house of Lydia: and when they had seene the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

(Notes Reference) (22) And they went out of the prison, and entered into [the house of] Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

(22) We may avoid dangers in such a way that we never neglect our duty.

(Act 17:1) Nowe as they passed through Amphipolis, and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a Synagogue of the Iewes.

(Notes Reference) Now (1) when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

(1) The casting out of Silas and Paul was the saving of many others.

(Act 17:2) And Paul, as his maner was, went in vnto them, and three Sabbath daies disputed with them by the Scriptures,

(Act 17:3) Opening, and alleadging that Christ must haue suffered, and risen againe from the dead: and this is Iesus Christ, whom, said he, I preach to you.

(Notes Reference) (2) Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

(2) Christ is therefore the mediator, because he was crucified and rose again: and he is certainly not to be rejected because the cross is shameful.

(Act 17:4) And some of them beleeued, and ioyned in companie with Paul and Silas: also of the Grecians that feared God a great multitude, and of the chiefe women not a fewe.

(Act 17:5) But the Iewes which beleeued not, mooued with enuie, tooke vnto them certaine vagabonds and wicked fellowes, and whe they had assembled the multitude, they made a tumult in the citie, and made assault against the house of Iason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

(Notes Reference) (3) But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain (a) lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

(3) Although the zeal of the unfaithful seems ever so virtuous, yet at length it is found to have neither truth nor fairness. Yet the wicked cannot do what they wish, for even among themselves God stirs up some, whose help he uses for the deliverance of his own.

(a) Certain companions which do nothing but walk the streets, wicked men, to be hired for every man's money to do any mischief, such as we commonly call the rabble and very cesspools and dunghill knaves of all towns and cities.

(Act 17:6) But when they found them not, they drew Iason and certaine brethren vnto the heads of the citie, crying, These are they which haue subuerted the state of the world, and here they are,

(Notes Reference) And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the (b) world upside down are come hither also;

(b) Into whatever country and place they come, they cause sedition and tumult.

(Act 17:7) Whom Iason hath receiued, and these all doe against the decrees of Cesar, saying that there is another King, one Iesus.

(Act 17:8) Then they troubled the people, and the heads of the citie, when they heard these things.

(Act 17:9) Notwithstanding when they had receiued sufficient assurance of Iason and of the other, they let them goe.

(Notes Reference) And when they had taken (c) security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

(Act 17:10) And the brethren immediatly sent away Paul and Silas by night vnto Berea, which when they were come thither, entred into ye Synagogue of the Iewes.

(Notes Reference) (4) And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming [thither] went into the synagogue of the Jews.

(4) That is indeed the wisdom of the Spirit which always sets the glory of God before itself as a mark with which it directs itself, and never wavers from it.

(Act 17:11) These were also more noble men then they which were at Thessalonica, which receiued the woorde with all readinesse, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(Notes Reference) (5) These were more (d) noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(5) The Lord sets out in one short period of time, and in one people, different examples of his unsearchable wisdom to cause them to fear him.

(d) He compares the Jews with the Jews.

(Act 17:12) Therefore many of them beleeued, and of honest women, which were Grecians, and men not a fewe.

(Act 17:13) But when the Iewes of Thessalonica knewe, that the woord of God was also preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and mooued the people.

(Notes Reference) (6) But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

(6) Satan has his who are zealous for him, and those who one would least suspect.

(Act 17:14) But by and by the brethren sent away Paul to goe as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

(Notes Reference) (7) And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

(7) There is neither counsel, nor fury, nor madness against the Lord.

(Act 17:15) And they that did conduct Paul, brought him vnto Athens: and when they had receiued a commandement vnto Silas and Timotheus that they shoulde come to him at once, they departed.

(Notes Reference) (8) And they that conducted Paul (e) brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

(8) The sheep of Christ also watch their pastor's health and safety, but yet in the Lord.

(e) It is not for nothing that the Jews of Berea were so commended, for they brought Paul safe from Macedonia to Athens, and there is in between these two places all of Thessalia, and Boeotia, and Attica.

(Act 17:16) Nowe while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirite was stirred in him, when hee sawe the citie subiect to idolatrie.

(Notes Reference) (9) Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was (f) stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to (g) idolatry.

(9) In comparing the wisdom of God with man's wisdom, men scoff and mock at that which they do not understand: and God uses the curiosity of fools to gather together his elect.

(f) He could not forbear.

(g) Slavishly given to idolatry: Pausanias writes that there were more idols in Athens than in all Greece; yea they had altars dedicated to Shame, and Fame, and Lust, whom they made goddesses.

(Act 17:17) Therefore he disputed in the Synagogue with the Iewes, and with them that were religious, and in the market daily with whomesoeuer he met.

(Notes Reference) Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with (h) them that met with him.

(h) Whoever Paul met with that would allow him to talk with him, he reasoned with him, so thoroughly did he burn with the zeal of God's glory.

(Act 17:18) Then certaine Philosophers of the Epicures, and of the Stoickes, disputed with him, and some sayde, What will this babler say? Others sayde, He seemeth to be a setter forth of straunge gods (because hee preached vnto them Iesus, and the resurrection.)

(Notes Reference) (10) Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this (i) babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

(10) Two special sects of the philosophers set themselves against Christ: the Epicures, who mock and scoff at religion: and the Stoics, who decide religious matters according to their own thinking.

(i) Literally, "seed gatherer": a borrowed kind of speech taken from birds which spoil corn, and is applied to those who without any skill blurt out the knowledge which they have gotten by hearing this man and that man.

(Act 17:19) And they tooke him, and brought him into Mars streete, saying, May we not know, what this newe doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

(Notes Reference) And they took him, and brought him unto (k) Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, [is]?

(k) This was a place called, as one would say, Mars hill, where the judges sat who were called Areopagita upon important matters, who in ancient time arraigned Socrates, and afterward condemned him of impiety.

(Act 17:20) For thou bringest certaine strange thinges vnto our eares: we woulde knowe therefore, what these things meane.

(Act 17:21) For all the Athenians, and strangers which dwelt there, gaue them selues to nothing els, but either to tell, or to heare some newes.

(Notes Reference) (11) (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

(11) The wisdom of man is vanity.

(Act 17:22) Then Paul stoode in the mids of Mars streete, and sayde, Yee men of Athens, I perceiue that in all things yee are too superstitious.

(Notes Reference) (12) Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, [Ye] men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too (l) superstitious.

(12) The idolaters themselves provide most strong and forcible arguments against their own superstition.

(l) To stand in too foolish and slavish a fear of your gods.

(Act 17:23) For as I passed by, and behelde your deuotions, I founde an altar wherein was written, VNTO THE VNKNOWEN GOD. Whom ye then ignorantly worship, him shewe I vnto you.

(Notes Reference) For as I passed by, and beheld your (m) devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE (n) UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

(m) Whatever men worship for religion's sake, that we call religion.

(n) Pausanias in his Atticis makes mention of the altar which the Athenians had dedicated to unknown gods: and Laertius in his Epimenides makes mention of an altar that had no name entitled upon it.

(Act 17:24) God that made the world, and all things that are therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaue and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands,

(Notes Reference) (13) God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

(13) It is a most foolish and vain thing to compare the Creator with the creature, to limit him within a place who can be comprehended in no place, and to think to allure him with gifts, from whom all men have received all things whatever they have: and these are the fountains of all idolatry.

(Act 17:25) Neither is worshipped with mens handes, as though he needed any thing, seeing hee giueth to all life and breath and all things,

(Act 17:26) And hath made of one blood all mankinde, to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath assigned the seasons which were ordeined before, and the boundes of their habitation,

(Notes Reference) (14) And hath made of (o) one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

(14) God is wonderful in all his works, but especially in the work of man: not that we should stand amazed at his works, but that we should lift our eyes to the workman.

(o) Of one stock and one beginning.

(Act 17:27) That they shoulde seeke the Lord, if so be they might haue groped after him, and founde him though doubtlesse he be not farre from euery one of vs.

(Notes Reference) That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might (p) feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

(p) For as blind men we could not seek out God except by groping, before the true light came and enlightened the world.

(Act 17:28) For in him we liue, and mooue, and haue our being, as also certaine of your owne Poets haue sayd, for we are also his generation.

(Act 17:29) Forasmuch then, as we are the generation of God, we ought not to thinke that ye Godhead is like vnto gold, or siluer, or stone grauen by arte and the inuention of man.

(Notes Reference) Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, (q) graven by art and man's device.

(q) Which things (gold, silver, and stones) are custom engraved as much as a man's mind can devise, for men will not worship those things as they are, unless by some art it has formed into an image of some sort.

(Act 17:30) And the time of this ignorance God regarded not: but nowe hee admonisheth all men euery where to repent,

(Notes Reference) (15) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

(15) The oldness of the error does not excuse those that err, but it commends and sets forth the patience of God, who nonetheless will be a just judge to those who condemn him.

(Act 17:31) Because hee hath appoynted a day in the which he wil iudge the world in righteousnes, by that man whome hee hath appoynted, whereof he hath giuen an assurance to all men, in that hee hath raised him from the dead.

(Notes Reference) Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given (r) assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.

(r) By declaring Christ to be the judge of the world through the resurrection from the dead.

(Act 17:32) Now when they heard of the resurrection from the dead, some mocked, and other sayde, We will heare thee againe of this thing.

(Notes Reference) (16) And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this [matter].

(16) Men, to show forth their vanity, are affected and moved differently by the very same Gospel, which nonetheless does not cease to be effectual in the elect.

(Act 17:33) And so Paul departed from among them.

(Act 17:34) Howbeit certaine men claue vnto Paul, and beleeued: among whome was also Denys Areopagita, and a woman named Damaris, and other with them.