Acts 19:30

And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. Acts 19:30

The verbs in the NKJV need a tune-up – “And Paul, desiring to enter to the people, the disciples would not allow him” (CG).

In the previous verse, the city of Ephesus was seized with the rising disturbance initiated by the words of Demetrius. Eventually, they seized Gaius and Aristarchus as they rushed into the theater. With that, it next says, “And Paul, desiring to enter to the people.”

As is Luke’s custom, the use of participles brings action to the narrative, as if it is occurring in front of our eyes. Paul probably wanted to stand up and give the gospel to the entire city. It would save a lot of time to do it this way, but it would also bear the possibility of physical harm.

This wasn’t as important to him as getting the word out, so setting his own safety aside and appealing to the masses would take the pressure off Gaius and Aristarchus and place it on him. Paul had rushed into the middle of a group of excited people in the past (e.g. Acts 14:14) and he will do it again later in Acts (such as Acts 21:39).

He saw incidents such as this as opportunities to speak to more people at once about the wonderful saving message of Jesus. Regardless of bodily harm, this was his driving passion. In this case, however, “the disciples would not allow him.”

In 1 Corinthians 15:32, Paul says –

“If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’”

The incident now being recorded might be what he was referring to. Ephesus was a large city and there were probably not a lot of wild beasts running around. Rather, he is either using the meaning figuratively to speak of wild, raging people, or he may be referring to his desire to enter the theater. Such a theater would, at times, be used for actually fighting wild beasts. As such, he may have been saying, “I was willing to enter the theater and fight for the gospel in that setting.”

Regardless of the situation, his words in 1 Corinthians 15 are likely figurative in nature. In this case, however, the disciples were sure he would be harmed, so they restrained him. This will continue to be seen in the next verse.

Life application: Paul was restrained from entering by people that could perceive the danger of the situation. He probably didn’t care about that, but they did. As such, they kept him from what he wanted.

Despite him being an apostle and they being his disciples, they were willing to set this type of authority aside for the greater good. There may be times when a church sees a pastor being overzealous for an issue. His care may be to get the word out, but they may perceive a danger that he is unwilling to acknowledge. As such, it becomes their responsibility to take the reasonable avenue and restrain him.

Despite being the pastor for instruction and leading, he is just a guy. His ability to grasp all of what is going on around him is limited. There may be a point, therefore, that stopping him for the sake of safety may be just the thing needed at the time. Just as the pastor looks out for his flock, those of the church should look out for him.

Lord Jesus, You have appointed leaders in Your church to guide the people in spiritual matters. But You have also placed people under their care that may have the ability to assist them in ways they cannot even imagine. So, Lord, help us to use our abilities to assist and protect those appointed over us. May Your wisdom guide us all our days. Amen.