Ac 9:31. FLOURISHING STATE OF THE CHURCH IN PALESTINE AT THIS TIME.
31. Then had all the churches rest--rather, "the Church," according
to the best manuscripts and versions. But this rest was owing not so
much to the conversion of Saul, as probably to the Jews being engrossed
with the emperor Caligula's attempt to have his own image set up in the
temple of Jerusalem [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 18.8.1, &c.].
throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria--This incidental notice
of distinct churches already dotting all the regions which were the
chief scenes of our Lord's ministry, and that were best able to test the
facts on which the whole preaching of the apostles was based, is
extremely interesting. "The fear of the Lord" expresses their holy
walk; "the comfort of the Holy Ghost," their "peace and joy in
believing," under the silent operation of the blessed Comforter.
JFB.
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