Acts 19:39

“But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. Acts 19:39

The words read, “If, however, you seek anything beyond, it will be solved in the lawful assembly” (CG).

In the previous verse, the recorder told the crowd what was proper concerning the matter they were gathered for and excited about. He continues his words to them now, saying, “If, however, you seek anything beyond.”

The word peran, or beyond, signifies over, on the other side, etc. For example, it is used when saying beyond the Jordan, beyond the sea, to the other side of the sea of Galilee, etc. In this case, the crowd has brought the matter between Demetrius and Paul forward. It was currently at a large gathering in the theater, and it needed to end there. However, he notes if there was anything beyond that point, either in time, place, or concerning the issue, “it will be solved in the lawful assembly.”

These words show that the assembly in the theater (ecclesia – verse 19:32) was not an authorized one. Instead, the term was used in a general sense. The clerk here notes that if there was anything that still needed to be addressed, it would have to be in an ecclesia that was obedient to the law. Also, the word translated as “solved” is epiluó. It is a verb giving the sense of unloosening. In other words, the issue at hand is like a tied knot that must be unloosened.

This is the job of the appropriate magistrates, not a crowd without authority or knowledge of the legal issues involved. The noun form of the word is found in 2 Peter 1:20, where it says, “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.” As for the verb used above, it is only found elsewhere in Mark 4, where it is translated as “explained” –

“And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.” Mark 4:33, 34

Just as Jesus “unloosened the knot” of the parables he spoke, the prophets of old could not form their own prophecies to unloosen the mind of God. Rather, God spoke through them as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Likewise, the matter between Demetrius and Paul, if it was not now settled by the recorder, would need to be taken before those who could properly unloosen it.

Life application: In seeing the use of the noun form of the word used here, Peter gives us insights into how prophecy is transmitted. The men of God of the past were given the words of God through a process that “unloosened” the mysteries necessary to understand what He is doing in the world concerning the redemptive narrative.

If you go on YouTube or some other internet forum and do a search for people who claim prophecy, you will find tens of thousands of people from all religions and all walks of life claiming they have had such secrets revealed to them.

Who are you going to believe? How can you determine if this one or that one is true or not? The Bible lets us know that what we have in it is sufficient for our doctrine, life, and religious practice. As this is so, the implication is that we do not need anything else revealed to us by God. It is easy to say, “That guy is a Hindu, and so his prophecies cannot be true,” but it should be just as clear to us that the people who claim to be Christians and who claim prophecy are also liars.

Their words are unnecessary for our walk with the Lord. They can only muddy the waters in which we tread. They cannot be accepted without causing some type of misdirection. Therefore, why listen to them? The plan has been set forth, it has been explained enough so that we have the broad outline we need, and it is sufficient for our time in this life. Be content with that.

Lord God, Your word is sufficient. Help us to accept this and to not search for something extra. That has caused too much damage in the church throughout the ages. Cults have sprung up, people have been misdirected, and souls have been lost. May we hold fast to Your word alone as we live out our lives in Your presence. Amen.