ACC ~ Acts 16 v6 - 10

OVERVIEW:

In Acts 16:10 we have the first occurrence of what modern commentators term the “we source.” Luke is probably drawing on his own travel journal. The episode’s message is that the Christian disciple must wait patiently on the guidance of the Spirit, or perhaps this is another instance of showing how the Holy Spirit has this work of the body of Christ under his authority. For some undisclosed reason Paul is prevented from preaching in the province of Asia (CHRYSOSTOM), though Bede surmises the reason to be God’s mercy, since Asia was not ready and would have rejected the gospel. Chrysostom sees this event of Paul being turned away from Asia as evidence that he was largely proceeding as he thought best, in what Chrysostom likes to term a human manner. Ammonius, however, provides an example of a very different mentality, one foreign not only to us but even to those who preceded and followed him. He sees here evidence that Paul was always led by the Spirit and avoids the sort of confident speculations into reasons that we see in Bede. Our commentators are also intrigued by the manner of direction given to Paul. Chrysostom sees this dream as more human than divine and thus as showing a growing docility and obedience in Paul to what the Spirit wanted. Bede understands the Macedonian man to be the guardian angel of Macedonia. In this line, Origen, whose comments are taken from a homily on the angels’ appearance to the shepherds at Christ’s birth, reflects on how God ministers to us through various types of shepherds, one of which was the angel-shepherd responsible for Macedonia.

16:6 | Phrygia and Galatia

THE LORD WITHDREW HIS SERVANT FROM ASIA. BEDE: Truly “terrible” is the Lord “in his councils upon the sons of men.” The one who promised that he would follow the master through everything was not granted permission, and another man who had been ordered to follow did not receive the delay he asked for in order to bury his father. Paul, who was fighting against [Christ], was attracted in spite of himself. Cornelius, who devoted himself to prayers and almsgiving, was shown the way of salvation as his reward. And God, who knows hearts, on account of his kindness, withdrew [his] teacher from Asia lest, if what is holy were given to dogs, the error of their wicked hearts “might be judged more reprehensible on account of their disregard of his preaching.” On the other hand the Macedonian legate, whom we believe to have been the angel of that people, asked the apostles, who were concerned with other matters, that crumbs of the Lord’s bread might be offered to them. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 16.6-9.

16:7 | The Spirit of Jesus

THE APOSTLES FOLLOWED HUMAN CUSTOMS. CHRYSOSTOM: The text does not say why they were prevented but only that they were prevented. It teaches us that we only have to obey and not to enquire about the reasons, and it shows us that they did many things according to human customs. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 16.7.

UNQUESTIONING OBEDIENCE. AMMONIUS: It should be noted that the apostle did nothing according to his own will. Rather, whatever he did or did not do, it was under the impulse of the Spirit. Therefore it is dangerous to despise what was done by Paul or investigate what was directed by the Spirit. Consequently, we ought not to ask why the Spirit did not allow Paul to preach in Asia. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 16.8.

16:9 | Paul Sees a Vision

NOT A VISION OF ANGELS. CHRYSOSTOM: “When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us.” Look, no longer through an angel, as it was with Philip and Cornelius. But how? Through a vision it appears to him, in a manner now more human, no longer as divine. For where obedience came more easily, revelation was of a more human sort; where much force was needed, of a more divine sort. Thus when he was only urged to preach, a dream appeared to him; but when he could not bear not to preach, it was the Holy Spirit who revealed it to him. So it was with Peter. “Arise, go down.” For the Holy Spirit did not work what was easy; a dream was enough in his case. Also for Joseph, who obeyed readily, it was in a dream, but for others, including Cornelius and Paul himself, it was in a vision. And notice how it says “a man of Macedonia was standing beseeching him and saying.” Not “ordering” but “beseeching,” that is, on behalf of the very people in need of caring. What does “concluding” mean? It means they made an inference. From the fact that Paul saw him and not someone else, that Paul was “forbidden by the Holy Spirit” and that they were at the borders—from all this they reached their conclusion. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 34.

GOD’S SHEPHERDS. ORIGEN: Listen, shepherds of the churches! Listen, God’s shepherds! His angel always comes down from heaven and proclaims to you, “Today a Savior is born for you, who is Christ the Lord.” For, unless that Shepherd comes, the shepherd of the churches will be unable to guard the flock well. Their custody is weak, unless Christ pastures and guards it along with them. We just read in the apostle, “We are coworkers with God.” A good shepherd, who imitates the good Shepherd, is a coworker with God and Christ. He is a good shepherd precisely because he has the best Shepherd with him, pasturing his sheep along with him. For, “God established in his church apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers. He established everything for the perfection of the saints.” Let this suffice for a simpler explanation.

But we should ascend to a more hidden understanding. Some shepherds were angels that governed human affairs. Each of these kept his watch. They were vigilant day and night. But, at some point, they were unable to bear the labor of governing the peoples who had been entrusted to them and accomplish it diligently. When the Lord was born, an angel came and announced to the shepherds that the true Shepherd had appeared. Let me give an example. There was a certain shepherd-angel in Macedonia who needed the Lord’s help. Consequently, he appeared to Paul in his dreams as a Macedonian man “and said, ‘Cross over to Macedonia and help us.’” Why do I speak of Paul, since the angel said this not to Paul but to Jesus who was in Paul? So shepherds need the presence of Christ. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 12.2-3.