Acts 16:16-25 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us… I. IN THE PURSUANCE OF ITS PURPOSE. Mercenariness in truth was the demon which inspired her. In pursuing its sordid aim we discover — 1. The prostitution of mind. This young woman's sympathies and talents were consecrated to the greed of her masters. Mammon ever hires the genius of the world for its service. A more terrible sight than this can scarcely be witnessed. 2. The practice of falsehood. This woman pretended to withdraw the veil of the future for money. Men build up their fortunes by falsehoods. Lies are considered the life of trade. 3. Religious profession. To impose upon the spectators, she professed almost a reverence for the apostles. Perhaps she had sufficient prescience to see that their mission would be successful, and that her declaration of their success would heighten her reputation and increase her authority. Alas! avarice uses religion for its own ends, puts on its garb, uses its vocabulary, and kneels to its heroes. II. IN THE FRUSTRATION OF ITS PURPOSE (ver. 18). Does this mean the exorcising of a personal spirit of evil who had taken possession of her? or does it mean the expulsion of the spirit of evil from her? I incline to the latter opinion, and regard Paul as effecting her conversion. This he did, as all conversions are accomplished, "in the name of Jesus Christ," and at once — "in the same hour." The change which Paul effected in her now interfered with the gains of her masters. Observe — 1. The vindictiveness of this frustrated avarice (ver. 19). Selfish men will oppose any enterprise, however divine, that interferes with their gains. Vested interests are the great antagonists of truth everywhere. 2. Its hypocrisy. Did they say, these men have interfered with our traffic? This would have been truth. No; they prefer a false accusation. These wounded grubs would be thought patriotic heroes. 3. Its power. These rich men had sufficient power to move the multitude in their favour, and to command the magistrates to do their work (vers. 22, 23). Such was the power which avarice had in Philippi eighteen centuries ago, and such is the power, alas! which it has ever wielded, and still wields. It can move magistrates and monarchs. "Money answereth all things," "and the love of it is the root of all evil." (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: |
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