How does one malign the Way (Acts 19:9)?

Acts 19: 9, But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. KJV

Family Bible Notes NT, Edwards - Acts 19:9

Divers were hardened; by resisting and rejecting the truth.

That way; the way of salvation which Paul preached.

The school; the room or place where Tyrannus taught. When the preaching of the gospel only hardens men, and leads them more bitterly to oppose the truth, it is sometimes best for ministers to leave them, and go where there is a greater prospect of success. The rejection of the gospel by some is thus made the occasion of salvation to others.

Paul preached boldly in the synagogue for three months. Although he was “using persuasion concerning the kingdom of God,” some hardened themselves and became real opposers.

Rather than wasting time with those who were “speaking injuriously about The Way,” Paul made arrangements to speak in a school auditorium. (Acts 19:8, 9) Those who wanted to make spiritual progress needed to make a move from the synagogue to the auditorium.

Paul may have spoken in that school auditorium daily from about 11:00 a.m. until about 4:00 p.m. (Acts 19:9,) Those were likely the quietest but hottest hours of the day when many stopped their work to eat and rest.

Imagine if Paul followed that rigorous schedule for two full years, he would have spent well over 3,000 hours teaching.

Here, then, is another reason why the word of Jehovah kept growing and prevailing. Paul was industrious and adaptable. He adjusted his schedule so that his ministry met the needs of the people in that community.

true Christianity is not a matter of outward appearance. In fact, in Christianity’s early days it was called “The Way,” because it was more than formal worship. (Acts 19:9, 23) It was a WAY OF LIFE permeated by the worship of God, guided by his spirit.

In its infancy Christianity was known as “The Way.” Thus we read that Saul of Tarsus who later became the Apostle Paul persecuted those “who belonged to The Way.” Opposers were said to speak “injuriously about The Way.”

there are those that go before a person and spread rumors and lies, there have also been those that pretend to be certain people and the allegations go after the ones they pretend to be

in the case in the book of acts Simon the sorcerer was a jewish apostate who went before the king to destroy the works of the apostle. before the apostle Paul could be known. thus maligning paul and the gosple of jesus to the king.

What this is describing is people mocking and speaking evil of the Gospel.

Since they were unwilling to listen and were making it difficult for others to do so, Paul and the others went elsewhere to talk.

There were hundreds if not thousands of different gods and goddesses that were worshiped at that time, and seeing as Paul was once a Mithra worshiper himself, he was probably mocked by those that didn't believe in his "new and improved" god. And since he couldn't take the heat--he left the kitchen.

The word in the original means cursed, or spoke evil of.

Throw away the NIV.

You refuse to listen or believe in God. He left the non believers behind because they just showed up to mock and waste his time; like the Atheist today.