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Selected Verse: Acts 19:38 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Ac 19:38	King James	Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
if Demetrius have a matter--of complaint. against any man, the law is open--rather, "the court days are being held." and there are deputies--literally "proconsuls" (see on Act 13:7); that is, probably, the proconsul and his council, as a court of appeal.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

if Demetrius have a matter--of complaint.

against any man, the law is open--rather, "the court days are being held."

and there are deputies--literally "proconsuls" (see on Act 13:7); that is, probably, the proconsul and his council, as a court of appeal.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Have a matter against any man - Have a complaint of injury; if injustice has been done them by anyone. The law is open - See the margin. Ἀγόραιοι Agoraioi ἄγονται agontai, that is, ἡμέραι hēmerai. There are court-days; days which are open, or appointed for judicial trials, where such matters can be determined in a proper manner. Perhaps the courts were then held, and the matter might be immediately determined. And there are deputies - Roman proconsuls. See the notes on Act 13:7. The cause might be brought before them with the certainty that it would be heard and decided. The Syriac reads this in the singular number "Lo, the proconsul is in the city." Let them implead one another - Let them accuse each other in the court. The laws are equal, and impartial justice will be done.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

Have a matter against any man - Have a complaint of injury; if injustice has been done them by anyone.

The law is open - See the margin. Ἀγόραιοι Agoraioi ἄγονται agontai, that is, ἡμέραι hēmerai. There are court-days; days which are open, or appointed for judicial trials, where such matters can be determined in a proper manner. Perhaps the courts were then held, and the matter might be immediately determined.

And there are deputies - Roman proconsuls. See the notes on Act 13:7. The cause might be brought before them with the certainty that it would be heard and decided. The Syriac reads this in the singular number "Lo, the proconsul is in the city."

Let them implead one another - Let them accuse each other in the court. The laws are equal, and impartial justice will be done.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
The law is open (ἀγοραῖοι ᾶγονται) Lit., the court-days are being kept. Rev., the courts are open. Compare Rev 17:5. Deputies (ἀνθύπατοι) Proconsuls, by whom Asia, as a senatorial province, was governed. See Introduction to Luke.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

The law is open (ἀγοραῖοι ᾶγονται)

Lit., the court-days are being kept. Rev., the courts are open. Compare Rev 17:5.

Deputies (ἀνθύπατοι)

Proconsuls, by whom Asia, as a senatorial province, was governed. See Introduction to Luke.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
There are proconsuls - One in every province. There was one at Ephesus.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

There are proconsuls - One in every province. There was one at Ephesus.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
If Demetrius - have a matter against any man - If it be any breach of law, in reference to Demetrius and the artists, the law is open, αγοραιοι αγονται; these are the terms of law, public courts, times of sessions or assize; or, rather, the judges are mow sitting: so the words may be understood. And there are deputies, ανθυπατοι, proconsuls, appointed to guard the peace of the state, and to support every honest man in his right: let them implead one another; let the one party bring forward his action of assault or trespass, and the other put in his defense: the laws are equal and impartial, and justice will be done to him who is wronged.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

If Demetrius - have a matter against any man - If it be any breach of law, in reference to Demetrius and the artists, the law is open, αγοραιοι αγονται; these are the terms of law, public courts, times of sessions or assize; or, rather, the judges are mow sitting: so the words may be understood. And there are deputies, ανθυπατοι, proconsuls, appointed to guard the peace of the state, and to support every honest man in his right: let them implead one another; let the one party bring forward his action of assault or trespass, and the other put in his defense: the laws are equal and impartial, and justice will be done to him who is wronged.

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