Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 16]
7 throws further light on the point.
16:7 {Over against Mysia} (\kata t•n Musian\). This was an
ill-defined region rather north and west of Phrygia. The Romans
finally absorbed most of it in the Province of Asia. {They
assayed to go into Bithynia} (\epeirazon eis t•n Bithunian
poreuth•nai\). Conative imperfect of \peiraz•\ and ingressive
aorist passive infinitive of \poreuomai\. Now Bithynia is
northeast of Mysia and north of Galatia (province). Clearly Luke
means to say that Paul had, when hindered by the Holy Spirit from
going west into Asia, gone north so as to come in front of
Bithynia. This journey would take him directly through Phrygia
and the North Galatian country (the real Gauls or Celts). This
is, to my mind, the strongest argument for the North Galatian
view in these verses 6,7. The grammar and the topography bring
Paul right up to Bithynia (north of the old Galatia). It is
verses 6,7 that make me pause before accepting the plausible
arguments of Ramsay for the South Galatian theory. In itself the
problem is nothing like so important or so determinative as he
makes it. But shall we smash Luke's grammar to pieces to bolster
up a theory of criticism? {And the Spirit of Jesus suffered them
not} (\kai ouk eiasen autous to pneuma I•sou\). The same Spirit
who in verse 6 had forbidden going into Asia now closed the
door into Bithynia. This expression occurs nowhere else, but we
have the spirit of Christ (Ro 8:9) and the Spirit of Jesus
Christ (Php 1:19). \Eiasen\ is first aorist active indicative
of \ea•\, old verb to allow.
16:8 {Passing by Mysia} (\parelthontes t•n Musian\). Literally,
passing alongside or skirting Mysia, neglecting it without
preaching there. Strictly they passed through part of it to reach
Troas. {To Troas} (\eis Troiada\). This city, named Alexandria
Troas after Alexander the Great, was the seaport of Mysia, though
a Roman colony and not counted as part of either Asia or
Bithynia. New Ilium, on the site of the old Troy, was four miles
farther north. It was the place to take ship for Philippi. Twice
again Paul will be here (2Co 2:12; Ac 20:6).
16:9 {A vision} (\horama\). Old word, eleven times in Acts, once
in Mt 17:9. Twice Paul had been hindered by the Holy Spirit
from going where he wanted to go. Most men would have gone back
home with such rebuffs, but not so Paul. Now the call is positive
and not negative, to go "far hence to the Gentiles" (22:21). He
had little dreamed of such a call when he left Antioch. Paul's
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