Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. Acts 19:21-22 ESV
After these events. Which events all of the events that happened in Ephesus over the course of nearly three years was Luke referring to? Paul’s stay in Ephesus was longer by a long shot than in any of his other missionary outposts.
Paul resolved. The ESV employs the English word resolved. Resolved is a strong word. Other translations (NKJV, KJV, NASB) use the word purposed (a little less strong than resolved). The NIV says decided, which is even weaker.
In the Spirit. Another difference in how (v.19) is translated has to do with the word, Spirit, or spirit. Was Paul’s resolve prompted by the Holy Spirit, or did it originate in Paul’s spirit? (Note the capitalization, or not, of the word, Spirit—capitalization is not in the Greek!)
What difference does any of this make? It points out the need to read (at least for serious study) the best word for word English translations of the Bible. But wait! Even reliable word-for-word English translations differ! This means that there are passages that are not absolutely clear regarding translation.
Some might conclude (quite foolishly) that there is no way of knowing what the Bible says or means. That is not true, and here is the #1 reason why: the differences do no violence to the meaning of the text. In other words, they do not change the fundamental meaning. As in Acts 19:21, the differences in translation may add or take away a nuance but they do not change what happened!
Lesson number one on this text: The Bible is reliably translated—in the recognized word-for-word translations of the Bible.
Lesson number two on this text: Do not formulate doctrine or dogmatic teaching based on words that are variously translated. Stick with the main point of the passage. (And this is especially true when reading narratives.)
That said, tomorrow we will make some applicational observations on the text.