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What is the sense of the word "compel"? It is quite vain for us to seek the sense of a word unless we have sense in ourselves. "Compel"! Did not Stephen compel those to whom he spoke to listen? He could not so far tams their ferocity that they should cast away the stones upon the ground, and spare him; but they could not resist the power of the Spirit with which he spoke. There is always some compulsory force in wisdom and in spirit, and how much is there in love! But observe, the guests first of all invited were not compelled to come in; he sent his servants to say, "All things are ready." "They may be," said these distinguished people, but we are not. He did not send his servants to compel them to come in; no, in his anger he "let them alone." "Compel them to come in" is spoken of the outcast — the necessitous — those that are beyond the very circle of the city, and not merely in its lowest places. "Compel," as spoken of these, hints at once to us that persuasiveness and urgency are necessary to effect conversion, and also that most potent means of conversion will be found stored up in the gospel as we go outwards, and try to conquer the world. Therefore, this word "compel" is like a promise given by God. Of course, there is nothing here against human liberty. It is the happiest way of being overcome, to be persuaded that somebody loves us, and so made to go, in willing captivity, to receive his love.

(T. T. Lynch.)

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KJV: Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

WEB: But he said to him, "A certain man made a great supper, and he invited many people.