Act 9:15, 22:8-9, 14-15, 26:17-18 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 15. Go thy way . This is often the only answer that we obtain to the suggestion of our doubts and hesitations about duty. God tells us still to do what he requires, with an assurance only that his commands are just, and that there are good reasons for them. A chosen vessel . The usual meaning of the word vessel is well known. It usually denotes a cup or basin , such as is used in a house. It then denotes any instrument which may be used to accomplish a purpose, perhaps particularly with the notion of conveying or communicating. In the Scriptures it is used to denote the instrument or agent which God employs to convey his favours to mankind; and is thus employed to represent the ministers of the gospel, or the body of the minister, ; comp. . Paul is called chosen because Christ had selected him, as he did his other apostles, for this service. . To bear my name . To communicate the knowledge of me. Before the Gentiles . The nations; all who were not Jews. This was the principal employment of Paul. He spent his life in this, and regarded himself as peculiarly called to be the apostle of the Gentiles, . And kings . This was fulfilled, . And the children of Israel . The Jews. This was done. He immediately began to preach to them, @Ac 9:20-22 . Wherever he went, he preached the gospel first to them, and then to the Gentiles, . (e) "he is a chosen vessel" (f) "before the gentiles" (g) "kings" (h) "the children of Israel"

Acts 9:15

Verse 15. Go thy way. This is often the only answer that we obtain to the suggestion of our doubts and hesitations about duty. God tells us still to do what he requires, with an assurance only that his commands are just, and that there are good reasons for them.

A chosen vessel. The usual meaning of the word vessel is well known. It usually denotes a cup or basin, such as is used in a house. It then denotes any instrument which may be used to accomplish a purpose, perhaps particularly with the notion of conveying or communicating. In the Scriptures it is used to denote the instrument or agent which God employs to convey his favours to mankind; and is thus employed to represent the ministers of the gospel, or the body of the minister, 2Cor 4:7, 1Thes 4:4; comp. Isa 13:5. Paul is called chosen because Christ had selected him, as he did his other apostles, for this service. Jn 15:16.

To bear my name. To communicate the knowledge of me.

Before the Gentiles. The nations; all who were not Jews. This was the principal employment of Paul. He spent his life in this, and regarded himself as peculiarly called to be the apostle of the Gentiles, Rom 11.13, 15:16, Gal 2:8.

And kings. This was fulfilled, Acts 25:23, 26:1-32, 27:24.

And the children of Israel. The Jews. This was done. He immediately began to preach to them, @Ac 9:20-22. Wherever he went, he preached the gospel first to them, and then to the Gentiles, Acts 13:46, 28:17.

(e) "he is a chosen vessel" Acts 13:2, Rom 1:1, 1Cor 15:10, Gal 1:15 Eph 3:7,8 (f) "before the gentiles" Rom 11:13, Gal; 2:7,8 (g) "kings" Acts 25:23 (h) "the children of Israel" Acts 20:23

Acts 22:8-9

Verse 8.

Acts 9:3 and Acts 9:4-7. Verse 9.

Acts 9:3, and Acts 9:4-7.

Acts 22:14-15

Verse 14. Shouldest know his will. His will in the plan of salvation, and in regard to your future life.

And see that Just One. The Messiah. Acts 3:14. As Paul was to be an apostle. and as it was the peculiar office of an apostle to bear witness to the person and deeds of the Lord Jesus, Acts 1:21; Acts 1:22, it was necessary that he should see him, that thus he might be a competent witness of the resurrection.

Shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. Shouldest hear and obey his commands.

(a) "see" Acts 21:18, 1Cor 9:1, 15:8 (b) "Just One" Acts 3:14, 7:52 (c) "voice" 1Cor 11:23, Gal 1:12 Verse 15. For thou shalt be his witness, etc. As an apostle to testify to all men that the Messiah has come, that he has died, that he has risen, and that he is the Saviour of the world.

Of what thou hast seen and heard. Of the remarkable proof which has been furnished you of the Divine mission and character of the Lord Jesus.

(d) "thou shalt" Acts 23:11, 16:16

Acts 26:17-18

Verse 17. Delivering thee from the people. From the Jewish people. This implied that he would be persecuted by them, and that the Lord Jesus would interpose to rescue him.

And from the Gentiles. This also implied that he would be persecuted and opposed by them ---a prospect which was verified by the whole course of his ministry. Yet in all he experienced, according to the promise, the support and the protection of the Lord Jesus. This was expressed in a summary manner in Lk 9:16.

Unto whom now I send thee. Acts 22:21. As the opposition of the Jews arose mainly from the fact that he had gone among the Gentiles, it was important to bring this part of his commission into full view before Agrippa, and to show that the same Saviour who had miraculously converted him, had commanded him to go and preach to them.

(a) "unto whom" Acts 22:21, Rom 11:13 Verse 18. To open their eyes. To enlighten or instruct them. Ignorance is represented by the eyes being closed, and the instruction of the gospel by the opening of the eyes. See Eph 1:18.

And to turn them from darkness to light. From the darkness of heathenism and sin, to the light and purity of the gospel. Darkness in an emblem of ignorance and of sin; and the heathen nations are often represented as sitting in darkness. Mt 4:16; Jn 1:4; Jn 1:6.

And from the power of Satan. From the dominion of Satan. Comp. Col 1:13, 1Pet 2:9; Jn 12:31; Jn 16:11. Satan is thus represented as the prince of this world; the ruler of the darkness of this world; the prince of the power of the air, etc. The heathen world, lying in sin and superstition, is represented as under his control; and this passage teaches, doubtless, that the great mass of the people of this world are the subjects of the kingdom of Satan, and are led captive by him at his will.

Unto God. To the obedience of the one living and true God.

That they may receive forgiveness of sins. Through the merits of that Saviour who died; that thus the partition wall between the Jews and the Gentiles might be broken down, and all might be admitted to the same precious privileges of the favour and mercy of God. Acts 2:38.

And inheritance. An heirship, or lot, (κληρον;) that they might be entitled to the privileges and favours of the children of God. Acts 20:32.

Which are sanctified. Among the saints; the children of God. Acts 20:32.

(b) "open their eyes" Isa 35:5, 42:7, Eph 1:18 (c) "turn them" Lk 1:79, Jn 8:12, 2Cor 4:6, 1Pet 2:9 (d) "power of Satan" Col 1:13 (e) "forgiveness of sins" Lk 1:77, Eph 1:7, Col 1:14 (f) "inheritance" Eph 1:11, Col 1:12, 1Pet 1:4 (g) "sanctified" Jn 17:17, Acts 20:32, 1Cor 1:30, Rev 21:27 (h) "faith" Eph 2:8, Heb 11:6