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Act 13:15. Τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν, the reading) the customary reading, whereby Moses’ writings used to be read through on the Sabbaths in the course of the year; and readings (lessons) in the earlier and latter prophets, consonant with the Mosaic lessons, used to be subjoined. “Elias in Thisbi, upon the word פטה [from which the lessons are called Haphtara], shows that the reading of the prophets arose after the times of Antiochus Epiphanes, and not earlier, when the reading of the law was openly and severely forbidden; but that it was retained subsequently.”-L. de Dieu.-οι ἀρχισυνάγωγοι, the rulers of the synagogue) who kept themselves (had their place) in a different part of the synagogue. The several synagogues had a ruler for each: therefore the term in this place is taken in a wider sense, as ἀρχιερεῖς in the plural. See Rhenferd. op. philol. p. 430.-εἰ ἔστι, if there be, if ye have any) It is not all who are the fit persons to speak, nor at all times. [And it is in no small degree truly conducive to edification, when the province of discussing a subject is always committed to those, to whom it is most seasonable (fit) to commit it, and that too with the understanding, that these very persons are not to proceed further than so long as their speech flows freely. When the condition of the Church at the time is poor (when there are few, if any, possessing the word of edification), it is right that God should be implored in prayer, that He would deign to come to the relief of man’s need.-V. g.] This pair of men never wanted words to speak.-ἐν ὑμῖν, among you) It may have been already made evident, by various indications, that they were fit persons to speak.-παρακλήσεως, of exhortation) from which the name Barnabas is derived [= Son of paraclesis, consolation, or exhortation, ch. Act 4:36].