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The foregoing chapter acquaints us with a very great and imminent danger which the apostle escaped at Ephesus, where he had like to have been torn in pieces by those heathenish idolaters; which gave him occasion to say, That after the manner of men he had fought with beasts at Ephesus. 1Co_15:32
In this chapter we find, that the apostle, yielding to the fury of his persecutors, prudently withdraws from Ephesus into Macedonia: yet not so much for his own safety, (for he was willing to die Christ's sacrifice, if he might live no longer Christ's servant,) as for the church's future advantage, that the disciples in Ephesus might be no farther persecuted upon his account.
Hence learn, That the ministers of the gospel may depart from a place and people, where their ministry has been very successful, when driven from thence by the fury of persecution. Thus St. Paul here obeyed the command of Christ elsewhere: When they persecute you in one city, flee to another, Mat_10:23.
Observe, 2. Though St. Paul withdrew from Ephesus, to allay the fury of persecution there; yet he left Timothy behind, to confirm and comfort the disciples as his substitute, and to strengthen them in the faith of the gospel, I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, &c. 1Ti_1:3
Observe, 3. The apostle no sooner escapes the fury of the Heathens at Ephesus, but he is in danger of his life at Macedonia, by his own countrymen the Jews, ver.3. The Jesus laid wait for him.
Well might the apostle say, he was in deaths often, in perils of robbers, in perils in the city, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils among false brethern, 2Co_11:26.
The wicked Jews, when they could not prevail against St. Paul by open force, contrive his ruin by secret treachery; but God gave him knowledge of their designs, and he avoided them, by turning another way.
Thence learn, That it is high presumption, and a bold tempting of God, to run headlong upon evident and imminent dangers; and not to improve all lawful means we can to prevent and decline them. To trust to means, is to neglect God; but to neglect the means for our own preservation, is to tempt God. St. Paul would not tempt God by running into dangers, though his cause was never so good.
Observe, 4. The persons are mentioned by name who accompanied the apostle, and administered unto him; to wit, Sopater, Arisarchus and Secundus, Gaius and Timotheus, Tychicus and Trophimus; these accompanied the apostle, not out of state, but for necessary service: to which may be added St. Luke; but, being the penman of this book, he declines mentioning of himself by name, though his praise will for ever be in the gospel, and ecclesiastical story.