Acts 21:1-3 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course to Coos… Note — I. THE SOCIAL LOVE GENERATED BY THE GOSPEL. There is an affection which man has for man, an affection of animal sympathy, personal interests, mental reciprocities. But the social love generated by Christianity is of a higher character. It is — 1. Strong. So strongly did it bind Paul and the Ephesians together, that they had to "tear themselves asunder." The parting scene on the Tyrian shore, and the tears wept on leaving Caesarea, also indicated the strength of Christian love. The love which genuine Christians have for each other is not the thread of a passing sentiment, but a golden chain which binds all in an indissoluble unity of thought, aspiration, interest, and pursuit. 2. Hospitable. Paul a guest in Philip's house! This is one of the Divine marvels which sometimes occur in the history of men. The name of Saul at one time was a terror to the heart of Philip (Acts 8:3-5). What a change the gospel has accomplished. He from whose presence he rushed as from a fiend, he now entertains as a brother. 3. Tender. Christianity quickens the sensibilities. In nearly all the partings recorded in these verses there were tears. 4. Religious (ver. 5). Christian love turns to God as the open flower to the sun. The best way of serving one's friends is to commend them "to God," as Paul did, and to "the word of His grace." II. THE FALLIBILITY OF HUMAN AFFECTION. The good men of Tyre loved Paul, yet they sought to dissuade him from duty; so also did the good men of Caesarea. So urgent and powerful were they that Paul exclaims, "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart?" In both cases they quoted the Holy Spirit's influence. Paul was deeply moved, but not mastered. All their arguments were the arguments of mistaken love. The mistaken kindness of parents has ever proved the greatest curse to children. Never does the devil act so mightily as when his errors are urged by the arguments of those who love us most. Let us learn to act in relation to this as Christ acted in relation to Peter (Matthew 16:23). III. THE UNCONQUERABLENESS OF A CHRIST-INSPIRED PURPOSE. Mighty as was the influence which love brought to bear upon Paul, it could not break his purpose (ver. 13). This was not a caprice, wish, intention formed in haste, a resolution based on expediency, but a determination based on the strongest convictions of his judgment, backed by the whole current of his sympathies, and deeply rooted in him by the Spirit of Christ. Such a purpose cannot be broken; it defies opposition, it removes mountains. IV. THE SUBLIMEST VICTORY OVER SOUL (ver. 14). 1. "The will of the Lord be done," does not mean, "We must bow to necessity." Many men are brought to do this who have no Christianity. The ungodly father, when life has fled from his child; the reckless speculator, when he has wrecked his fortune; the criminal in the hand of justice, say, when all hope is gone, "The Lord's will be done." In their case it means despair. But here it is a cordial acquiescence, and implies a belief — (1) That there is a God. (2) That that God has a will in relation to individuals. (3) That the working out of that will is the best thing. 2. This is the sublimest conquest over souls. It is a conquest over — (1) The folly of souls. The greatest folly in the universe is to oppose the will of God. The wisest thing is to acquiesce in that Will which is all-wise, all-good, all-mighty. (2) Over the wickedness of souls. Opposition to the Divine will is the very essence of all sin. (3) Over the misery of souls. Opposition to the Divine will is hell. Obedience is heaven. The sublimest victory in the universe is this victory, for which Christ and His followers are fighting. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: |
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