Acts 18:18-23 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brothers, and sailed there into Syria… Paul constitutionally was an earnest man. Every chapter in his life before, and after, his conversion shows him to be a man whose purposes were made red hot with the passion of an ever-glowing nature. His earnestness is here seen — I. IN HIS NOBLE DEFIANCE OF DANGER. The Jews had "made insurrection with one accord" against him, and he must have felt, even after Gallio had refused to entertain their malignant purposes, their ire was still all aflame. Yet he quits not the scene of duty. "Paul tarried there yet a good while." His sympathy with Christ and the Divine purpose raised him above the fear of all danger. II. IN HIS SURRENDER OF FRIENDSHIP. 1. His adieu to his brethren at Corinth. "He took his leave of the brethren." He entered this Paris of the old world to fight the battles alone, and the antagonism was immense; and he left it with numerous converts and a prosperous Church. The members of that Church were "his brethren": he loved them. The two letters which he afterwards wrote to them show the depth of his affection. Yet he leaves them at the call of duty. 2. His separation from his dearest companions at Ephesus — Priscilla and Aquila. It must have been not a little painful to a man of Paul's tender sensibilities, to separate from those with whom he had been so closely and so lovingly connected. 3. His departure from Ephesus in opposition to the earnest request of his friends (ver. 20). "Whosoever loveth father and mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me." Paul proved himself worthy of Christ. III. IN HIS CONSECRATION TO DUTY. 1. He felt that God's will called him to Jerusalem now. "I must by all means keep this feast." He had no doubt about the Divine will upon this point, and hence he was prepared to make any sacrifices to carry it out. 2. He was willing to return to Ephesus, if it were God's will. Consecration to the Divine will, which was the very spirit of his life, was the philosophy of his greatness. Deo volente. This should always be the devout proviso in all our plans. Conclusion: The following remarks of Gerok are worth quoting: 1. No hostile hatred restrains him where the Lord sends him (ver. 19). 2. No brotherly love retains him when the Lord calls him away (ver. 20). 3. No place is too distant to him; he hastens when the Spirit draws him thither (ver. 21). 4. No place is too pleasant to him; he takes his leave when the Lord cannot use him there (ver. 22). I must go to Jerusalem, the watchword of a pilgrim of God, by which he breaks through all the temptations of the world, in love and suffering, from friend and foe. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. |
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