Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Acts 19:21 - 19:22
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_19:21-22
21Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." 22And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
Act_19:21
NASB "Paul purposed in the spirit"
NKJV "Paul purposed in the Spirit"
NRSV "Paul resolved in the Spirit"
TEV, NJB "Paul made up his mind"
TEV (footnote)"Paul, led by the Spirit, decided"
Here is a combination of God's sovereignty and mankind's freewill. It is uncertain whether this use of the term "spirit" refers to:
1. the Holy Spirit or
2. the human spirit (cf. Act_7:59; Act_17:16; Act_18:25; Rom_1:9; Rom_8:16; 1Co_2:11; 1Co_5:4; 1Co_16:18; 2Co_2:11; 2Co_7:13; 2Co_12:18; Gal_6:18; Php_4:23).
If it is the Holy Spirit, this is another example of divine leadership combined with appropriate human response.
Luke often has a brief comment to introduce events which occur later in his account. It is surely possible that Luke has Paul deciding to go to Jerusalem as a result of God's leading (i.e., die, Act_19:21; see full note at Act_1:16), not as the result of the riot caused by Demetrius and the guild of silversmiths in Ephesus (cf. Act_19:23-41).
▣ "I must also see Rome" Paul needed (dei) to visit the church at Rome (cf. Act_9:15; Rom_1:10) on his way to Spain (cf. Rom_15:24; Rom_15:28). He wanted them to know him and support his mission work. He also wanted to add his blessing/gift to their situation.
Act_19:22 "Erastus" There is a man by this name mentioned in Rom_16:23. He is called the city treasurer of Corinth. This name occurs again in 2Ti_4:20. It may refer to the same person, but this is uncertain.
▣ "he himself stayed in Asia for a while" The gospel had gloriously spread, affecting and converting the province (cf. 1Co_16:9).