Act 20:1-2 | RWP | e4.org | After the uproar was ceased ( μετα το παυσασθα τον θορυβον ). Literally, after the ceasing (accusative of articular aorist middle infinitive of παυω , to make cease) as to the uproar (accusative of general reference). Noise and riot, already in ; ; ; ; and see in ; . Pictures the whole incident as bustle and confusion. Took leave ( ασπαμενος ). First aorist middle participle of ασπαζομα , old verb from α intensive and σπαω , to draw, to draw to oneself in embrace either in greeting or farewell. Here it is in farewell as in . Salutation in , . Departed for to go into Macedonia ( εξηλθεν πορευεσθα εις Μακεδονιαν ). Both verbs, single act and then process. Luke here condenses what was probably a whole year of Paul's life and work as we gather from II Corinthians, one of Paul's "weighty and powerful" letters as his enemies called them ( ). "This epistle more than any other is a revelation of S. Paul's own heart: it is his spiritual autobiography and apologia pro vita sua ."

‏ Acts 20:1-2

After the uproar was ceased ( μετα το παυσασθα τον θορυβον ). Literally, after the ceasing (accusative of articular aorist middle infinitive of παυω, to make cease) as to the uproar (accusative of general reference). Noise and riot, already in Mt 26:5; 27:24; Mr 5:38; 14:2; and see in Ac 21:34; 24:18. Pictures the whole incident as bustle and confusion.

Took leave ( ασπαμενος ). First aorist middle participle of ασπαζομα, old verb from α intensive and σπαω, to draw, to draw to oneself in embrace either in greeting or farewell. Here it is in farewell as in 21:6. Salutation in 21:7, 19.

Departed for to go into Macedonia ( εξηλθεν πορευεσθα εις Μακεδονιαν ). Both verbs, single act and then process. Luke here condenses what was probably a whole year of Paul's life and work as we gather from II Corinthians, one of Paul's "weighty and powerful" letters as his enemies called them (2Co 10:10). "This epistle more than any other is a revelation of S. Paul's own heart: it is his spiritual autobiography and apologia pro vita sua."

Those parts ( τα μερη εκεινα ). We have no way of knowing why Luke did not tell of Paul's stay in Troas (2Co 2:12f.) nor of meeting Titus in Macedonia (2Co 2:13-7:16) nor of Paul's visit to Illyricum (Ro 15:19f.) to give time for II Corinthians to do its work (2Co 13), one of the most stirring experiences in Paul's whole career when he opened his heart to the Corinthians and won final victory in the church by the help of Titus who also helped him round up the great collection in Achaia. He wrote II Corinthians during this period after Titus arrived from Corinth. The unity of II Corinthians is here assumed. Paul probably met Luke again in Macedonia, but all this is passed by except by the general phrase: "had given them much exhortation" ( παρακαλεσας αυτους λογω πολλω ). Literally, "having exhorted them (the Macedonian brethren) with much talk" (instrumental case).

Into Greece ( εις την Hελλαδα ). That is, Achaia (18:12; 19:21), and particularly Corinth, whither he had at last come again after repeated attempts, pauses, and delays (2Co 13:1). Now at last the coast was clear and Paul apparently had an open door in Corinth during these three months, so completely had Titus at last done away with the opposition of the Judaizers there.