Acts 13:2

“As they ministered to the Lord, etc.] That is, the five prophets and teachers before mentioned; and whose ministry lay in preaching the Gospel, teaching the people the doctrines of it, and expounding prophecies, and also in prayer; to which latter the Syriac version restrains their ministry, rendering it, “as they prayed to God”; but the phrase seems to be more extensive: “and fasted”; which the Jews were much used to, and the believing ones had not yet left it off; their custom was to fast on Mondays and Thursdays: (See Gill on “<421812>Luke 18:12”). Whether it was on one of those days, that these men were ministering and fasting, is not certain; but this we may be sure of, it was not on…”

“As they ministered to the Lord--The word denotes the performance of official duties of any kind, and was used to express the priestly functions under the Old Testament. Here it signifies the corresponding ministrations of the Christian Church. and fasted--As this was done in other cases on special occasions (Act 13:3, Act 13:14, Act 13:23), it is not improbable that they had been led to expect some such prophetic announcement at this time. the Holy Ghost said--through some of the prophets mentioned in Act 13:1. Separate me--So Rom 1:1. for the work whereunto I have called them--by some communication, perhaps, to themselves: in the case of Saul at least, such a designation was indicated from…”

“As they ministered to the Lord - It is probable that this took place on some day set apart for fasting and prayer. The expression “ministered to the Lord” means as they were engaged in prayer to the Lord, or as they were engaged in divine service. The Syriac thus renders the passage. The Holy Ghost said - Evidently by direct revelation. Separate me - Set apart to me, or for my service. It does not mean to ordain, but simply to designate, or appoint to this specific work. For the work whereunto I have called them - Not the apostolic office, for Saul was called to that by the express revelation of Jesus Christ Galatians 1:12, and Barnabas was not an apostle. The “work” to which they were now…”

“Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them - This was not ordaining them. St. Paul was ordained long before, and that not of men, neither by man: it was only inducting him to the province for which our Lord had appointed him from the beginning, and which was now revealed to the prophets and teachers. In consequence of this they fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, a rite which was used not in ordination only, but in blessing, and on many other occasions. Acts 13:3”

“they: Act 6:4; Deu 10:8; Sa1 2:11; Ch1 16:4, Ch1 16:37-43; Rom 15:16; Col 4:17; Ti2 1:11; Ti2 4:5, Ti2 4:11 fasted: Act 13:3, Act 10:30; Dan 9:3; Mat 6:16, Mat 9:14, Mat 9:15; Luk 2:37; Co1 7:5; Co2 6:5, Co2 11:27 the Holy: Act 10:19, Act 16:6, Act 16:7; Co1 12:11 Separate: Act 22:21; Num 8:11-14; Rom 1:1, Rom 10:15; Gal 1:15, Gal 2:8, Gal 2:9; Ti2 2:2 the work: Act 9:15, Act 14:26; Mat 9:38; Luk 10:1; Eph 3:7; Ti1 2:7; Ti2 1:11; Heb 5:4 Acts 13:3”