Acts 16:10

Immediately. Because of the urgency of the call, Paul made immediate preparations to enter Macedonia. Having been previously hindered from preaching, doubtless he was more than ordinarily eager to tell others of Christ.

We. The beginning of the first “we” passage in Acts (vs. 10-17). The other passages occur in chs. 20:5 to 21:18; 27:1 to 28:16. Mostly they concern journeys, and infer that the author was Paul’s traveling companion on those occasions (see Vol. V, p. 663). When a narrative is being related in the third person, and the first person of the pronoun is suddenly introduced, the inference is plain that the author has become an actor in the events recorded. Most commentators conclude that Luke, the author of the Acts (see Introduction), joined the missionary party at Troas, rather than that he wrote artificially from the point of view of Silas or Timothy. Since Luke does not mention his own conversion, it is reasonable to suppose that it had taken place some time before this junction at Troas. Since he includes himself in the phrase “the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel,” Luke must also be counted as one of the evangelists.

Endeavoured. Rather, “sought.” The seeking would be as to ways and means of getting across the Aegean to Europe.

To go. Literally, “to go out,” or “forth,” from Asia into Macedonia, which hitherto was unknown to the missionaries. It should be realized, however, that the distinction between Asia and Europe did not exist in Paul’s day. The same Greek culture covered both areas and produced a common mold.

Assuredly gathering. Gr. sumbibazo (see on ch. 9:22). Here sumbibazd may be translated “concluding.” The evangelists used sanctified reason to help decide what was God’s will for them.