Acts 16:12

King James Version (KJV)

And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

And from thence to Philippi - This was a town of Macedonia, in the territory of the Edones, on the confines of Thrace, situated on the side of a steep eminence. It took its name from Philip II., king of Macedon. It is famous for two battles, fought between the imperial army, commanded by Octavianus, afterwards Augustus, and Mark Antony, and the republican army, commanded by Brutus and Cassius, in which these were successful; and a second, between Octavianus and Antony on the one part, and Brutus on the other. In this battle the republican troops were cut to pieces, after which Brutus killed himself. It was to the Church in this city that St. Paul wrote the epistle that still goes under their name. This place is still in being, though much decayed, and is the see of an archbishop.

The chief city of that part of Macedonia - This passage has greatly puzzled both critics and commentators. It is well known that, when Paulus Aemilius had conquered Macedonia, he divided it into four parts, μερη, and that he called the country that lay between the rivers Strymon and Nessus, the first part, and made Amphipolis its chief city, or metropolis; Philippi, therefore, was not its chief city. But Bishop Pearce has, with great show of reason, argued that, though Amphipolis was made the chief city of it by Paulus Aemilius, yet Philippi might have been the chief city in the days of St. Paul, which was two hundred and twenty years after the division by P. Aemilius. Besides, as it was at this place that Augustus gained that victory which put him in possession of the whole Roman empire, might not he have given to it that dignity which was before enjoyed by Amphipolis? This is the most rational way of solving this difficulty; and therefore I shall not trouble the reader with the different modes that have been proposed to alter and amend the Greek text.

And a colony - That is, a colony of Rome; for it appears that a colony was planted here by Julius Caesar, and afterwards enlarged by Augustus; the people, therefore, were considered as freemen of Rome, and, from this, call themselves Romans, Acts 16:21. The Jewish definition of קלניא kolonia (for they have the Latin word in Hebrew letters, as St. Luke has it. here, κολωνια, in Greek letters) is, a free city, which does not pay tribute.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

And from thence to Philippi - The former name of this city was Dathos. It was repaired and adorned by Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, and after him was called Philippi. It was famous for having been the place where several battles were fought during the civil wars of the Romans, and, among others, for the decisive battle between Brutus and Antony. At this place Brutus killed himself. To the church in this place Paul afterward wrote the Epistle which bears its name.

Which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia - This whole region had been conquered by the Romans under Paulus Aemilius. By him it was divided into four parts or provinces (Livy). The Syriac version renders it “a city of the first part of Macedonia,” and there is a medal extant which also describes this region by this name. It has been proposed, therefore, to alter the Greek text in accordance with this, since it is known that Amphipolis was made the chief city by Paulus Aemilius. But it may be remarked that, although Amphipolis was the chief city in the time of Paulus Aemilius, it may have happened that in the lapse of 220 years from that time Philippi might have become the most extensive and splendid city. The Greek here may also mean simply that this was the first city to which they arrived in their travels.

And a colony - This is a Latin word, and means that this was a Roman colony. The word denotes “a city or province” which was planted or occupied by Roman citizens. It is a strong confirmation of the fact here stated by Luke, that Philippi had the rank and dignity of a Roman colony, as coins are still extant, in which Philippi is distinctly referred to as a colony. Such coins exist from the reign of Augustus to the reign of Caracalla.

Certain days - Some days.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The removals of ministers, and the dispensing the means of grace by them, are in particular under Divine conduct and direction. We must follow Providence: and whatever we seek to do, if that suffer us not, we ought to submit and believe to be for the best. People greatly need help for their souls, it is their duty to look out for it, and to invite those among them who can help them. And God's calls must be complied with readily. A solemn assembly the worshippers of God must have, if possible, upon the sabbath day. If we have not synagogues, we must be thankful for more private places, and resort to them; not forsaking the assembling together, as our opportunities are. Among the hearers of Paul was a woman, named Lydia. She had an honest calling, which the historian notices to her praise. Yet though she had a calling to mind, she found time to improve advantages for her soul. It will not excuse us from religious duties, to say, We have a trade to mind; for have not we also a God to serve, and souls to look after? Religion does not call us from our business in the world, but directs us in it. Pride, prejudice, and sin shut out the truths of God, till his grace makes way for them into the understanding and affections; and the Lord alone can open the heart to receive and believe his word. We must believe in Jesus Christ; there is no coming to God as a Father, but by the Son as Mediator.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

12. From thence. At Neapolis they probably left their ship and went overland to their immediate goal, Philippi.

Philippi. Originally known as Krenides, “place of small fountains,” the city was rebuilt by Philip of Macedon (359-336 b.c.), father of Alexander the Great, and named in his honor. Between Neapolis and Philippi there lay a range of mountains, in which were rich deposits of gold and silver.

The chief city of that part. This phrase presents some difficulties. Philippi was not the chief city of any one of the four subdivisions of the Roman province of Macedonia (see on v. 9), the chief cities being Amphipolis, Thessalonica, Pella, and Pelagonia. However, there is no definite article in the Greek, hence it is possible that Luke meant simply to say that it was a chief town of the district and not the official capital. The adjective prÅÂtos, “first,” here translated “chief,” was often found on coins of cities that were not capitals. It is also possible that he was using the word meris, translated “part,” or “district,” in the sense of “borderland,” and that it was the first city of that frontier district, either as the most important or as the first to which travelers would come from Thrace. This was precisely the position of Philippi, which had been garrisoned as a Roman outpost, because of the restless tribes in Thrace.

Colony.Philippi had become a Roman colony after the defeat of Brutus and Cassius by Octavian and Antony in 42 b.c. After the Battle of Actium, 31 b.c., this status was strengthened, and the city’s full title, as shown on coins that have been found, came to be Colonia Augusta Julia Philippensis. A Roman colonia bore little relation to our modern concept of a colony. It was a portion of conquered territory assigned to Roman citizens, who were often veteran soldiers. These were sent out under the authority of Rome, and marched to their destination like an army, to reproduce an equivalent to Roman civil and social life. These colonies were often on the frontiers as a protection, and as a check upon local provincial magistrates. The names of the colonists were retained on the lists of the tribes of Rome. They took with them their Latin language and their Roman coinage. Oftentimes their chief magistrates were appointed from the mother city, and were independent of the governors of the province where the colony was planted. In this way the colony was closely united with Rome. These colonies were sometimes described as the “bulwarks of an empire” (Cicero De Lege Agraria ii. 27. 73; Loeb ed., Speeches, vol. 3, p. 449) or “miniatures, as it were, and in a way copies” of the people of Rome (Aulus Gellius Attic Nights xvi. 13. 9; Loeb ed., vol. 3, p. 181). The spirit of a colony was therefore intensely Roman. Thus in this Macedonian city Paul, himself a Roman citizen, came directly in contact with a flourishing example of Roman imperial organization.

Certain days. See on ch. 9:19. Here the phrase seems to refer to less than one week, for it appears that the Sabbath in ch. 16:13 was their first in Philippi.

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 211-20

This chapter is based on Acts 16:7-40.

The time had come for the gospel to be proclaimed beyond the confines of Asia Minor. The way was preparing for Paul and his fellow workers to cross over into Europe. At Troas, on the borders of the Mediterranean Sea, “a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” AA 211.1

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Ellen G. White
Education, 70

Yet there is a future joy to which Paul looked forward as the recompense of his labors—the same joy for the sake of which Christ endured the cross and despised the shame—the joy of seeing the fruition of his work. “What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?” he wrote to the Thessalonian converts. “Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20. Ed 70.1

Who can measure the results to the world of Paul's lifework? Of all those beneficent influences that alleviate suffering, that comfort sorrow, that restrain evil, that uplift life from the selfish and the sensual, and glorify it with the hope of immortality, how much is due to the labors of Paul and his fellow workers, as with the gospel of the Son of God they made their unnoticed journey from Asia to the shores of Europe? Ed 70.2

What is it worth to any life to have been God's instrument in setting in motion such influences of blessing? What will it be worth in eternity to witness the results of such a lifework? Ed 70.3

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Cross References

Philippi

Acts 20:6

Philippians 1:1

1 Thessalonians 2:2

Paul's Journeys

The Second Missionary Journey of Paul

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Acts 16:12