Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 16]
Philippi.
16:16 {A spirit of divination} (\pneuma puth•na\). So the correct
text with accusative (apparition, a spirit, a python), not the
genitive (\puth•nos\). Hesychius defines it as \daimonion
manikon\ (a spirit of divination). The etymology of the word is
unknown. Bengel suggests \puthesthai\ from \punthanomai\, to
inquire. Python was the name given to the serpent that kept guard
at Delphi, slain by Apollo, who was called \Puthios Apollo\ and
the prophetess at Delphi was termed Pythia. Certainly Luke does
not mean to credit Apollo with a real existence (1Co 8:4). But
Plutarch (A.D. 50-100) says that the term \puth•nes\ was applied
to ventriloquists (\eggastrimuthoi\). In the LXX those with
familiar spirits are called by this word ventriloquists (Le
19:31; 20:6,27, including the witch of Endor 1Sa 28:7). It is
possible that this slave girl had this gift of prophecy "by
soothsaying" (\manteuomen•\). Present middle participle of
\manteuomai\, old heathen word (in contrast with \proph•teu•\)
for acting the seer (\mantis\) and this kin to \mainomai\, to be
mad, like the howling dervishes of later times. This is the
so-called instrumental use of the circumstantial participles.
{Brought} (\pareichen\). Imperfect active of \parech•\, a steady
source of income. {Much gain} (\ergasian poll•n\). Work,
business, from \ergazomai\, to work. {Her masters} (\tois kuriois
aut•s\). Dative case. Joint owners of this poor slave girl who
were exploiting her calamity, whatever it was, for selfish gain,
just as men and women today exploit girls and women in the "white
slave" trade. As a fortune-teller she was a valuable asset for
all the credulous dupes of the community. Simon Magus in Samaria
and Elymas Barjesus in Cyprus had won power and wealth as
soothsayers.
16:17 {The Most High God} (\tou theou tou hupsistou\). Pagan
inscriptions use this language for the Supreme Being. It looks
like supernatural testimony like that borne by the demoniacs to
Jesus as "son of the Most High God" (Lu 8:28. Cf; also Mr
1:24; 3:11; Mt 8:29; Lu 4:41, etc.). She may have heard Paul
preach about Jesus as the way of salvation. {The way of
salvation} (\hodon s•t•rias\). A way of salvation, strictly
speaking (no article). There were many "ways of salvation"
offered to men then as now.
16:18 {She did} (\epoiei\). Imperfect active, kept it up for many
days. The strange conduct gave Paul and the rest an unpleasant
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