SEV Biblia, Chapter 19:31
Tambin algunos de los principales de Asia, que eran sus amigos, enviaron a l rogando que no se presentase en el teatro.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 19:31
Verse 31. Certain of the chief of Asia] tinev twn asiarcwn; Some of the Asiarchs. The Asiarchs were those to whom the care and regulation of the public games were intrusted: they were a sort of high priests, and were always persons of considerable riches and influence. These could not have been Christians; but they were what the sacred text states them to have been, autw filoi, his friends; and foreseeing that Paul would be exposed to great danger if he went into the theater, amidst such a tumultuous assembly, they sent a message to him, entreating him not to go into danger so apparent. Query: Did he not go, and fight with these wild beasts at Ephesus? 1 Cor. xv. 32.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 31. And certain of the chief of Asia , etc.] Or the Asiarchs; these were not princes of Asia, rulers or governors of provinces, or cities, or civil magistrates; but priests who presided over the games and diversions at the theatre, and had the management and command of things there. Such an one was Philip the Asiarch, the church of Smyrna makes mention of in their account of the sufferings and martyrdom of Polycarp f985 , whom the people entreated that he would send out the lion to Polycarp; that is, out of the theatre which he had the command of; but he replied he could not do it, because he had finished the theatrical exercises: from whence it appears that he was the governor of the theatre, and had his title of Asiarch from thence, as these men had, wherefore this word should not be rendered, the princes of Asia, as by the Vulgate Latin; nor the chief of Asia, as by the Syriac and Arabic versions, and by ours, but rather the Asian priests. The Ethiopic version not knowing who should be meant by them, only reads, and some of Asia. Which were his friends ; they had a good opinion of the apostle, and a good liking of his doctrines, and wished well to his person, and were concerned for his safety; though they might not have been really converted, and truly disciples, as those in the preceding verse; for otherwise one would think they would have relinquished their office and place. These sent unto him , messengers or letters, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre ; they observed to him the danger he would expose himself to, and entreated he would show a greater regard to his life than to risk it in such a manner, a life might be so useful to many; and though they were the governors at the theatre, yet such was the rage and fury of the mob, that it was not in their power to restrain them from doing mischief, till such time as they were appeased.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 21-31 - Persons who came from afar to pay their devotions at the temple of Ephesus, bought little silver shrines, or models of the temple, to carry home with them. See how craftsmen make advantage to themselves of people's superstition, and serve their worldly ends by it. Men ar jealous for that by which they get their wealth; and many se themselves against the gospel of Christ, because it calls men from all unlawful crafts, however much wealth is to be gotten by them. There ar persons who will stickle for what is most grossly absurd, unreasonable and false; as this, that those are gods which are made with hands, i it has but worldly interest on its side. The whole city was full of confusion, the common and natural effect of zeal for false religion Zeal for the honour of Christ, and love to the brethren, encourag zealous believers to venture into danger. Friends will often be raise up among those who are strangers to true religion, but have observe the honest and consistent behaviour of Christians.
Greek Textus Receptus
τινες 5100 X-NPM δε 1161 CONJ και 2532 CONJ των 3588 T-GPM ασιαρχων 775 N-GPM οντες 5607 5752 V-PXP-NPM αυτω 846 P-DSM φιλοι 5384 A-NPM πεμψαντες 3992 5660 V-AAP-NPM προς 4314 PREP αυτον 846 P-ASM παρεκαλουν 3870 5707 V-IAI-3P μη 3361 PRT-N δουναι 1325 5629 V-2AAN εαυτον 1438 F-3ASM εις 1519 PREP το 3588 T-ASN θεατρον 2302 N-ASN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
31. Of the chief officers of Asia (twn Asiarcwn). The Asiarchs. These were persons chosen from the province of Asia, on account of their influence and wealth, to preside at the public games and to defray their expenses.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
19:31 {Certain also of the chief officers of Asia} (tines de kai twn asiarcwn). These "Asiarchs" were ten officers elected by cities in the province who celebrated at their own cost public games and festivals (Page). Each province had such a group of men chosen, as we now know from inscriptions, to supervise the funds connected with the worship of the emperor, to preside at games and festivals even when the temple services were to gods like Artemis. Only rich men could act, but the position was eagerly sought. {Being his friends} (ontes autwi filoi). Evidently the Asiarchs had a high opinion of Paul and were unwilling for him to expose his life to a wild mob during the festival of Artemis. They were at least tolerant toward Paul and his preaching. "It was an Asiarch who at Smyrna resisted the cry of the populace to throw Polycarp to the lions" (Furneaux). {Besought him} (parekaloun auton). Imperfect active, showing that the messengers sent had to insist over Paul's protest. "{Not to adventure himself}" (me dounai heauton). It was a hazard, a rash adventure "to give himself" (second aorist active infinitive of didwmi). Just this sense of "adventure" with the idiom occurs only here in the N.T., though in Polybius V., 14, 9. But the phrase itself Paul uses of Jesus who gave himself for our sins (#Ga 1:4; 1Ti 2:6; Tit 2:14). It is not the first time that friends had rescued Paul from peril (#Ac 9:25,30; 17:10,14). The theatre was no place for Paul. It meant certain death.
