Geneva Study Bible And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called {a} Melita.
(a) That place which we today call Malta. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. {1} And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
(1) The godly are sure to have danger upon danger, but they alway have a glorious outcome. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. {2} And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet {b} vengeance suffereth not to live.
(2) Although adversity is the punishment of sin, yet seeing that God in punishing men does not always punish because of sin, they judge rashly who either do not wait for the end, or who judge and esteem of men according to prosperity or adversity. (b) Right and proper. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. Howbeit they looked when he should have {c} swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: {3} but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
(c) The Greek word signifies to be inflamed or to swell: moreover, Dioscorides in his sixth book, chap. 38, witnesses that the biting of a viper causes a swelling of the body, and so says Nicander, in his remedies against poisons. (3) There are none who are more changing in every way than they who are ignorant of true religion. In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. {4} In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
(4) It never yet was a regret to any man who received the servant of God, were he ever so miserable and poor. And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: {5} So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
(5) Although Paul was a captive, yet the power of God was not captive. Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary. {6} Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
(6) God does well to strangers for his children's sake. And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. {7} And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose {d} sign was Castor and Pollux.
(7) Idols do not defile the saints, who do in no way give consent of them. (d) So they used to deck the front part of their ships, because of which their ships were called by such names. And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. {8} Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
(8) God bows and bends the hearts even of profane men, as it pleases him to show favour to his own. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. {9} And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as {e} Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
(9) God never allows his own to be afflicted beyond their strength. (e) Appius was a paved road made by Appius the blind, with the help of his soldiers, long and broad, and it ran out towards the sea, and there were three taverns on it. And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by {f} himself with a soldier that kept him.
(f) Not in a common prison, but in a house which he rented for himself. And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. {10} And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
(10) Paul in every place remembers himself to be an apostle. Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. {11} But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
(11) We may use the means which God gives us, but in such a way that we seek the glory of God, and not of ourselves. For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. {12} And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and {g} testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
(12) The Law and the Gospel agree well together. (g) With good reasons, and proved that the kingdom of God foretold to them by the Prophets had come. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. {13} And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
(13) The Gospel is a taste of life to those that believe, and a taste of death to those that are disobedient. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: {14} Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
(14) The unbelievers willingly resist the truth, and yet not by chance. For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they {h} closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
(h) They made as though they did not see that which they saw against their desires: yea, they did see, but they would not see. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. {15} Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
(15) The unbelief of the reprobate and castaways cannot cause the truth of God to be of no effect. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. {16} And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
(16) Not the Gospel, but the contempt of the Gospel is the cause of strife and debate. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, {17} And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
(17) The word of God cannot be bound. Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
    |