16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying 5 and singing hymns to God, 6 and the rest of 7 the prisoners were listening to them.
1 tn Or “masters.”
2 tn On this use of ἐργασία (ergasia), see BDAG 390 s.v. 4. It is often the case that destructive practices and commerce are closely tied together.
3 tn Grk “was gone, seizing.” The participle ἐπιλαβόμενοι (epilabomenoi) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
4 tn On the term ἕλκω ({elkw) see BDAG 318 s.v. 1.
5 tn Grk “praying, were singing.” The participle προσευχόμενοι (proseucomenoi) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
6 sn Praying and singing hymns to God. Tertullian said, “The legs feel nothing in the stocks when the heart is in heaven” (To the Martyrs 2; cf. Rom 5:3; Jas 1:2; 1 Pet 5:6). The presence of God means the potential to be free (cf. v. 26).
7 tn The words “the rest of” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
8 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the jailer) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
9 tn Or “and prostrated himself.”
sn Fell down. The earthquake and the freeing of the prisoners showed that God’s power was present. Such power could only be recognized. The open doors opened the jailer’s heart.