SEV Biblia, Chapter 19:41
Y habiendo dicho esto, despidió la concurrencia.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 19:41
Verse 41. He dismissed the assembly.] thn ekklhsian. Another proof that the word ekklhsia, which we generally translate church, signifies an assembly of any kind, good or bad, legal or illegal. 1. How forcible are right words! From the conduct of this prudent, sensible man, we may learn how much influence persons of this character may have, even over the unbridled multitude. But, where the civil power associates itself with the lawless might of the many, THERE must be confusion and every evil work. What a blessing to the community is the civil law! Were it not for this, the unthinking multitude would destroy others, and at last destroy themselves. Law and justice are from God; and the civil power, by which they are supported and administered, should be respected by all who regard the safety of their persons or property.
2. Though the ministry of St. Paul was greatly blessed at Ephesus, and his preaching appears to have been very popular, yet this sunshine was soon darkened: peace with the world cannot last long; the way of the Lord will always be opposed by those who love their own ways.
3. How few would make an outward profession of religion, were there no gain connected with it! And yet, as one justly observes, religion is rendered gainful only by some external part of it. For this very reason, the external part of religion is always on the increase, and none can find fault with it without raising storms and tempests; while the internal part wastes and decays, no man laying it to heart. Demetrius and his fellows would have made no stir for their worship, had not the apostle's preaching tended to discredit that by which they got their wealth. Most of the outcries that have been made against all revivals of religion-revivals by which the Church has been called back to its primitive principles and purity, have arisen out of self-interest. The cry of, the Church is in danger, has been echoed only by those who found their secular interest at stake; and knew that reformation must unmask them and show that the slothful and wicked servants could no longer be permitted to live on the revenues of that Church which they disgraced by their lives, and corrupted by their false doctrines. He that eats the Church's bread should do the Church's world: and he that will not work should not be permitted to eat.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 41. And when he had thus spoken , etc.] Or delivered this oration, made use of the above arguments, reasonings, and expostulations: he dismissed the assembly ; he ordered them to break up, and every one to return home in peace, and go about his own business; and thus Paul, and his companions, were delivered from an imminent danger they were exposed to.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 32-41 - The Jews came forward in this tumult. Those who are thus careful to distinguish themselves from the servants of Christ now, and are afrai of being taken for them, shall have their doom accordingly in the grea day. One, having authority, at length stilled the noise. It is a very good rule at all times, both in private and public affairs, not to be hasty and rash in our motions, but to take time to consider; and alway to keep our passions under check. We ought to be quiet, and to d nothing rashly; to do nothing in haste, of which we may repent a leisure. The regular methods of the law ought always to stop popula tumults, and in well-governed nations will do so. Most people stand i awe of men's judgments more than of the judgement of God. How well it were if we would thus quiet our disorderly appetites and passions, by considering the account we must shortly give to the Judge of heaven an earth! And see how the overruling providence of God keeps the publi peace, by an unaccountable power over the spirits of men. Thus the world is kept in some order, and men are held back from devouring eac other. We can scarcely look around but we see men act like Demetriu and the workmen. It is as safe to contend with wild beasts as with me enraged by party zeal and disappointed covetousness, who think that all arguments are answered, when they have shown that they grow rich by the practices which are opposed. Whatever side in religious disputes, or whatever name this spirit assumes, it is worldly, and should be discountenanced by all who regard truth and piety. And let us not be dismayed; the Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters he can still the rage of the people __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ταυτα 5023 D-APN ειπων 2036 5631 V-2AAP-NSM απελυσεν 630 5656 V-AAI-3S την 3588 T-ASF εκκλησιαν 1577 N-ASF
Robertson's NT Word Studies
19:41 {Dismissed the assembly} (apelusen ten ekklesian). The town-clerk thus gave a semblance of law and order to the mob by formally dismissing them, this much to protect them against the charge to which they were liable. this vivid, graphic picture given by Luke has all the earmarks of historical accuracy. Paul does not describe the incidents in his letters, was not in the theatre in fact, but Luke evidently obtained the details from one who was there. Aristarchus, we know, was with Luke in Caesarea and in Rome and could have supplied all the data necessary. Certainly both Gaius and Aristarchus were lively witnesses of these events since their own lives were involved.
