John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And he went into the synagogue , etc.] Of the Jews at Ephesus, for it seems to have been a private house, where he had met with the twelve baptized disciples, and had laid his hands on them; and these being Jews, as it seems most likely, by their having been baptized into Johns baptism, the apostle went along with them to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his usual custom; having a very great desire, and an affectionate concern, for the welfare of his countrymen the Jews: and spake boldly for the space of three months ; that is, he used great freedom of speech, and showed much courage and intrepidity of mind, in preaching the Gospel at the synagogue every sabbath day as it returned, during this space of time; some manuscripts read, three days: disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God ; the kingdom of the Messiah, the Gospel dispensation, the doctrines and ordinances of the Gospel, and the Gospel church state, often signified by the kingdom of God, and of heaven, in Scripture; and concerning the glory of a future state, the way and right unto it, and meetness for it; and these things he reasoned upon in such a strong and nervous manner, and made use of such powerful arguments, in proof and demonstration of them, as were very persuasive, and engaged many to believe them, and give their assent unto them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-12 - When arguments and persuasions only harden men in unbelief an blasphemy, we must separate ourselves and others from such unhol company. God was pleased to confirm the teaching of these holy men of old, that if their hearers believed them not, they might believe the works.
Greek Textus Receptus
εισελθων 1525 5631 V-2AAP-NSM δε 1161 CONJ εις 1519 PREP την 3588 T-ASF συναγωγην 4864 N-ASF επαρρησιαζετο 3955 5711 V-INI-3S επι 1909 PREP μηνας 3376 N-APM τρεις 5140 A-APM διαλεγομενος 1256 5740 V-PNP-NSM και 2532 CONJ πειθων 3982 5723 V-PAP-NSM τα 3588 T-APN περι 4012 PREP της 3588 T-GSF βασιλειας 932 N-GSF του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
19:8 {Spake boldly} (eparresiazeto). Imperfect middle, kept on at it for three months. Cf. same word in #18:26. {Persuading} (peiqwn). Present active conative participle of peiqw, trying to persuade (#28:23). Paul's idea of the Kingdom of God was the church of God which he (Jesus, God's Son) had purchased with his own blood (#Ac 20:28, calling Christ God). Nowhere else had Paul apparently been able to speak so long in the synagogue without interruption unless it was so at Corinth. These Jews were already interested (#18:30).
