Charles Ellicott Commentary Acts 18:5

"But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ." — Acts 18:5 (ASV)

And when Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia.—We learn from 1 Thessalonians 2:18 that Timothy had come to Saint Paul at Athens but had been almost immediately sent back to Thessalonica to bring further news about the converts, for whose trials the Apostle felt so much sympathy and anxiety.

They brought a good report of their faith and love (1 Thessalonians 3:6), possibly also fresh proofs of their personal regard, and that of the Philippians, in the form of gifts (2 Corinthians 11:9). This may, however, refer to a later occasion. The First Epistle to the Thessalonians was probably sent back by the brethren who had accompanied Silas and Timothy on their journey to Corinth.

The reader will note the parallelism:

1. Between the passage in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, which discusses the Second Advent, and the teaching of 1 Corinthians 15:51–52;
2. And between the few words regarding spiritual gifts in 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21, and the fuller treatment of the same subject in 1 Corinthians 12-14.

Paul was pressed in the spirit.—The better manuscripts state, “he was constrained by the Word.” The words describe something of the same strong emotion as the “paroxysm” of Acts 17:16. The Word was within him as a constraining power, compelling him to give utterance to it. His heart was hot within him, and while he was musing the fire kindled (Psalms 39:4).

Whether there was any connection between the arrival of Silas and Timothy and this strong feeling is a question for which there is insufficient data to answer. It is hardly satisfactory to say, as has been suggested, that they probably brought financial supplies from Macedonia (2 Corinthians 11:9), and that he was therefore relieved from the obligation of working for his livelihood and able to devote himself more fully to the work of preaching. There is no indication of his giving up tent-making, and 1 Corinthians 9:1 is decidedly against it. A more probable explanation may be found in the strong desire—of which he says in Romans 15:23 that he had cherished it for many years—to see Rome and preach the gospel there. Now he found himself brought into contact with those who had come from Rome, who formed, in fact, part of its population, and the old feeling was stirred to a new intensity.