SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:31
Y dijo: ¿Y cmo podr, si alguno no me enseare? Y rog a Felipe que subiese, y se sentase con l.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 8:31
Verse 31. How can I, except some man should guide me?] This is no proof that "the Scriptures cannot be understood without an authorized interpreter," as some of the papistical writers assert. How could the eunuch know any thing of the Gospel dispensation, to which this scripture referred? That dispensation had not yet been proclaimed to him; he knew nothing about Jesus. But where that dispensation has been published, where the four Gospels and the apostolic epistles are at hand, every thing relative to the salvation of the soul may be clearly apprehended by any simple, upright person. There are difficulties, it is true, in different parts of the sacred writings, which neither the pope nor his conclave can solve; and several which even the more enlightened Protestant cannot remove; but these difficulties do not refer to matters in which the salvation of the soul is immediately concerned: they refer to such as are common to every ancient author in the universe. These difficulties, being understood, add to the beauty, elegance, and justness of the language, thoughts, and turns of expression; and these, only the few who are capable of understanding are able to relish. As to all the rest, all that relates to faith and practice, all in which the present and eternal interest of the soul is concerned, "the wayfaring man, though a fool, (quite illiterate,) shall not err therein." That he would come up, and sit with him.] So earnestly desirous was he to receive instruction relative to those things which concerned the welfare of his soul.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 31. And he said, how can I, except some man should guide me ? etc.] Which shows that he was of an excellent spirit and temper; since instead of answering in a haughty and disdainful manner, as great men are too apt to do; and instead of charging Philip with, impertinence and insolence, in interrupting him whilst reading, and putting such a question to him, he expresses himself with great and uncommon modesty; with a sense and confession of his ignorance and incapacity and of the necessity and usefulness of the instructions of men, appointed of God to open and explain the Scriptures: and though he wanted such a guide, and could have been glad of one, yet he was willing to use all diligence himself in reading, that he, might, if possible, come at some knowledge of the truth; which was very commendable in him; and no doubt but the spirit he was in was much owing to his reading the word, and to the Spirit of God disposing his mind in this manner: and he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him ; which is an instance of his great humanity and courteousness, and of his meekness and condescension, as well as of his vehement thirst after the knowledge of the Scriptures; he concluding, or at least hoping by Philips question, and by the air and look of the man, that he was one that might be useful to him this way.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 26-40 - Philip was directed to go to a desert. Sometimes God opens a door of opportunity to his ministers in very unlikely places. We should stud to do good to those we come into company with by travelling. We shoul not be so shy of all strangers as some affect to be. As to those of whom we know nothing else, we know this, that they have souls. It is wisdom for men of business to redeem time for holy duties; to fill u every minute with something which will turn to a good account. I reading the word of God, we should often pause, to inquire of whom an of what the sacred writers spake; but especially our thoughts should be employed about the Redeemer. The Ethiopian was convinced by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, of the exact fulfilment of the Scripture was made to understand the nature of the Messiah's kingdom an salvation, and desired to be numbered among the disciples of Christ Those who seek the truth, and employ their time in searching the Scriptures, will be sure to reap advantages. The avowal of the Ethiopian must be understood as expressing simple reliance on Chris for salvation, and unreserved devotion to Him. Let us not be satisfie till we get faith, as the Ethiopian did, by diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, and the teaching of the Spirit of God; let us not be satisfied till we get it fixed as a principle in our hearts. As soon a he was baptized, the Spirit of God took Philip from him, so that he saw him no more; but this tended to confirm his faith. When the inquire after salvation becomes acquainted with Jesus and his gospel, he wil go on his way rejoicing, and will fill up his station in society, an discharge his duties, from other motives, and in another manner tha heretofore. Though baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, with water, it is not enough without the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Lord, grant this to every one of us; then shall we go on our wa rejoicing __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
ο 3588 T-NSM δε 1161 CONJ ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S πως 4459 ADV-I γαρ 1063 CONJ αν 302 PRT δυναιμην 1410 5739 V-PNO-1S εαν 1437 COND μη 3361 PRT-N τις 5100 X-NSM οδηγηση 3594 5661 V-AAS-3S με 3165 P-1AS παρεκαλεσεν 3870 5656 V-AAI-3S τε 5037 PRT τον 3588 T-ASM φιλιππον 5376 N-ASM αναβαντα 305 5631 V-2AAP-ASM καθισαι 2523 5658 V-AAN συν 4862 PREP αυτω 846 P-DSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
31. How can I (pwv gar an dunaimhn)? Lit., for how should I be able? the for connecting the question with an implied negative: "No; for how could I understand except," etc.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:31 {How can I, except some one shall guide me?} (pws gar an dunaimen ean me tis hodegesei me?). this is a mixed condition, the conclusion coming first belongs to the fourth class (undetermined with less likelihood of being determined) with an and the optative, but the condition (ean, instead of the usual ei, and the future indicative) is of the first class (determined or fulfilled. Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1022), a common enough phenomenon in the _Koin_. The eunuch felt the need of some one to guide (hodegew from hodegos, guide, and that from hodos, way, and hegeomai, to lead).
