9:1 And 1 Saul, yet a breathing out threatenings and
slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the
high priest,
(1) Saul (who is also Paul), persecuting Christ most cruelly,
who did as it were flee before him, falls into Christ's
hands, and is overcome: and with a singular example of the
goodness of God, in place of punishment which he justly
deserved for his cruelty, is not only kindly received, but
is also even by the mouth of God appointed an apostle, and
is confirmed by the ministry and witness of Ananias.
(a) This is a sign that Saul's stomach boiled and cast out
great threats to murder the disciples.
9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues,
that if he found any of this b way, whether they were men
or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
(b) Any trade of life which a man take upon himself the Jews
call a "way".
9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am
Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is] c hard for thee to
kick against the pricks.
(c) This is a proverb which is spoken of those who through
their stubbornness hurt themselves.
9:7 And the men which journeyed with him d stood speechless,
hearing a e voice, but seeing no man.
(d) Stood still and could not go one step forward, but
remained amazed as stood still like statues.
(e) They heard Paul's voice: for afterwards it is plainly
said in (Ac 22:9) that they did not hear the voice
of the one who spoke. Others, however, try to reconcile
these places (which seem to contradict) by saying that
the men with Saul heard the sound of a voice, but did
not hear it clearly.
9:11 And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the street
which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas
for [one] called Saul, of f Tarsus: for, behold, he
prayeth,
(f) Tarsus was a city of Cilicia near to Anchiala. It is
said that Sardanapalus built these two cities in one
day.
9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a g
chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles,
and kings, and the children of Israel:
(g) To bear my name in.
9:16 For I will h shew him how great things he must suffer for
my name's sake.
(h) I will plainly show him.
9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into i the house;
and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord,
[even] Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou
camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight,
and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
(i) Into Judas' house.
9:202 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues,
that he is the Son of God.
(2) Paul begins immediately to execute the office which was
given and commanded to him, never consulting with flesh and
blood.
9:223 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded
the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, k proving that this is
very Christ.
(3) Paul does not do battle only with his own authority, but
also with the testimonies of the Prophets.
(k) By conferring places of the Scripture together, as
skilful craftsman do when they make something, they
used to gather all parts together, to make them agree
fitly one with another.
9:234 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took
counsel to kill him:
(4) Paul, who was before a persecutor, now has persecution
planned against himself, though it will not happen for a
long time.
9:255 Then the disciples took him by night, and let [him]
down by the wall in a basket.
(5) We are not forbidden to avoid and eschew the dangers and
conspiracies that the enemies of God lay for us, but only
if we do not swerve from our vocation.
9:266 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join
himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him,
and believed not that he was a disciple.
(6) In ancient times no man was rashly or lightly received into
the members and the sheep of the Church, much less to be a
pastor.
9:287 And he was l with them coming in and going out at
Jerusalem.
(7) The steadfast servants of God must look out for danger
after danger: yet God watches out for them.
(l) With Peter and James, for he says that he saw none of
the apostles but them; (Ga 1:18-19).
9:29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and
disputed against the m Grecians: but they went about to
slay him.
9:308 [Which] when the brethren knew, they brought him down
to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
(8) The ministers of the word may change their place with the
advice and counsel of the congregation and church.
9:319 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and
Galilee and Samaria, and were n edified; and walking in
the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost,
were multiplied.
(9) The result of persecutions is the building of the Church,
so that we will patiently wait for the Lord.
(n) This is a borrowed type of speech which signifies
establishment and increase.
9:3210 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all
[quarters], he came down also to the saints which dwelt at
Lydda.
(10) Peter's apostleship is confirmed by the healing of the man
who suffered from paralysis.
9:35 And all that dwelt at o Lydda and Saron saw him, and
turned to the Lord.
(o) Lydda was a city of Palestine, and Saron a first-class
country, and a place which was excellent for grazing,
between Caesarea of Palestine and Mount Tabor, and the
lake of Gennesaret, which goes far beyond Joppa.
9:3611 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named
Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this
woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
(11) Peter clearly declares, by raising up a dead body through
the name of Christ, that he preaches the glad tidings of
life.
