Daily Writing

Wisconsin Capitol.

Wednesday, 20 March 2024

“My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. Acts 26:4

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

More literally, it says, “Therefore, indeed, the manner of my life from youth, having been from the beginning in my nation, in Jerusalem, all the Jews know” (CG).

Paul had just asked for Agrippa to patiently hear him as he gave his defense, knowing that Agrippa was an expert in all customs and questions concerning the Jews. With that having been stated, he next says, “Therefore, indeed, the manner of my life from youth.”

The word translated as “manner of life” is biósis. It is a noun derived from the verb bioó, to live. It is only found here in the New Testament. We use the term “bio” in the same way today: life; biological, biography, etc. In using this word, he then further defines his manner of life with the words “having been from the beginning.”

There are articles in the Greek of this verse that are not normally translated into English. Each word he has spoken so far has been intended to give a more precise statement concerning his upbringing. For example, someone might say, “I was a surfer, a surfer from my youth, even for as long as I can remember.”

This is Paul’s way of establishing the surety of the life he lived in the eyes of Agrippa. Therefore, any changes to this will be all the more remarkable. In other words, when he gets to the explanation of his conversion, it will indicate a sudden, abrupt change in a person who was very focused in one direction his whole life.

Most people would tend to follow the same precise pattern unless there was a marked occurrence that subsequently changed their lives. To further bolster this deeply ingrained image of who he was, he then continues with “in my nation, in Jerusalem.”

He continues making a poignant statement concerning his state, now adding the special location which would only refine that state into who he eventually would become. Once again, it would be like saying, “I was a surfer, a surfer from my youth, even for as long as I can remember. It was in Hawaii, on the North Shore, at Waimea Bay.”

Paul will speak of his life in this early capacity elsewhere, such as in Galatians 1:14 and Philippians 3:5-6. His words to Agrippa are carefully stated to ensure the king is aware of exactly who Paul was as he grew. Thus, the change in him will be all the more remarkable when it is presented. Understanding that, he then finishes the thought with, “all the Jews know.”

It is a confirmatory statement that his words are truthful and can easily be verified. Saying, “all the Jews” doesn’t mean the entire nation of Jews. Instead, it is a phrase limited in its meaning and which refers to the leaders of the nation. Similar terminology is used in Mark 7:3; John 2:20, 3:25, 5:15; etc.; and in 1 Thessalonians 2:14.

Life application: Paul was set on a course of life that was unlikely to change. However, the Lord stepped in and revealed Himself to Paul. From that time on, the direction of his steps was completely different. He made a complete break from his old ways and set his eyes solely on Jesus.

Although we haven’t seen Jesus personally, as believers, we have met Him through His word. If we believe He has saved us, then why would we be any different than Paul in our attitude? Was the change in Paul any different than the change in us? He was lost, and then he was saved. We were lost, and then we were saved.

Do we really need a visual appearance of Jesus to spur us on to do great things? If so, why? What was lacking in our conversion? And if not, are we pursuing Jesus with all of who we are? If not, why are we not doing so?

None of us should say, “My conversion wasn’t that special and so my walk doesn’t need to be so great.” You are an individual, only you received your conversion, and only you can use your personal conversion and your new life for the glory of God. Therefore, use it! Bring God glory with every step you take. Have faith in all you do. And be grateful from moment to moment that you were saved by the precious blood of Jesus.

Lord God, may we be willing to work out our salvation with our eyes fixed and focused on Jesus. Help each one of us to do our utmost with the salvation You have granted us because of Your great love, grace, and tender mercy. May we strive to do great things in return for what You have done for each of us. Amen.

Wisconsin Capitol.

Tuesday, 19 March 2024

“especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. Acts 26:3

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

More literally, the Greek reads, “Especially, you being a knower of all the customs of Jews, and also of questions. Therefore, I implore you patiently to hear me” (CG).

Paul had just noted that he was prepared to answer concerning all of the things that the Jews had accused him of. Now, he gives a reason why this was so, saying, “Especially, you being a knower of all the customs of Jews.”

The word translated as “knower” is gnóstés. It is a noun used only here in the New Testament. It is derived from the verb ginóskó, to know or perceive. Paul understood that Agrippa was perfectly familiar with the aspects of the law and of the traditions which were built upon the law. This is summed up in the word translated as “customs,” which signifies the habits, institutes, rites, and so forth.

Paul found this pleasing because he was not talking to an uninformed audience as had been the case for the past two years. Rather, he finally had someone who could more fully grasp what he was doing, and he could convey this knowledge to the governor accordingly.

If nothing else, he could validate to the governor that what he was up to was not contrary to these customs. Further, he continues with, “and also of questions.”

The “questions” would be those areas that were subject to debate, just as Christians have. This is especially true in the matters by which the Pharisees and the Sadducees were divided. In this, Paul will speak not only as one who was a Pharisee with a hope but as a converted believer who possessed the surety of that hope.

As this was so, he would be careful to detail what he believed, why he believed it, why it was a rational point of debate, etc. As this may take time to fully express, he continues further with, “Therefore, I implore you patiently to hear me.”

Here is another word found only once in Scripture, makrothumós. It is a compound word derived from makros, of long duration or length, and thumos, an outburst of passion or wrath. As such, it is Paul’s way of petitioning for Agrippa to not blow up at him quickly, but to be patient and longsuffering as he detailed his journey of faith in Christ.

Therefore, he is asking for Agrippa’s patient ear, something he would get neither from his foes who opposed him nor from a non-Jew who would be wholly uninterested in such matters. The latter will be perfectly evident from Festus’s response to Paul’s discourse in Acts 26:24.

Life application: If one understands his audience, it is a great help to prepare words in advance for communicating what must be said. If you are preaching to a familiar crowd, you don’t need to explain yourself or what your intent is. However, you may still have to explain at some point during your talk the details of something more complicated that they may not have heard of before.

If you are talking to a crowd wholly unfamiliar with your subject matter, it may be best to start with a simple illustration concerning what you will be speaking of, building upon that so that your audience doesn’t get lost.

Obviously, if you are speaking to children, you need to talk on a level that they can grasp. This basic level of instruction may also be needed for politicians, especially those on the left, as well.

Whatever the state of the audience, being familiar with it and accommodating to their level of understanding is a key ticket to having them grasp what is being conveyed. Paul is taking advantage of this approach by speaking to Agrippa on a level that he is able to understand.

Whether Agrippa agrees with his viewpoint or not, at least Paul will be able to convey what he believes, why he believes it, and how his actions have been in accord with the customs and laws of his people and of Roman society. We, too, should speak in such a manner to ensure our thoughts are being properly conveyed to those we address.

Lord God, the world has an incredible number of languages. Within those language groups are more divisions of thought, such as customs, laws, rites, rituals, etc. Unless we can properly relate to those people, how can we adequately communicate the gospel to them? Lord God, we pray for our missionaries who are in so many places around the world, asking that You give them wisdom and ability to effectively do their jobs through rightly understanding their target audiences. Thank You, O God. Amen.

Wisconsin Capitol Facade.

Monday, 18 March 2024

“I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, Acts 26:2

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The NKJV reverses the order of the words, thus confusing the flow of thought. A literal translation would be, “Concerning all which I am accused by Jews, King Agrippa, I have deemed myself blessed before you, being about to defend myself today” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul was given the right to speak to the gathered council. From there, he stretched out his hand to do so. With that, he begins his words, saying, “Concerning all which I am accused by Jews, King Agrippa.”

There is no article before “Jews.” He makes an overall statement about any Jew who has come forth to make an accusation against him, and any others who might find fault in him at any point in time.

His words indicate that he is not an enemy of his own people in any way, shape or form. This is especially pertinent because Agrippa is a Jew. Paul’s people have united against him, but their stand has no merit. Having said that, he continues his opening address, saying, “I have deemed myself blessed before you.”

His words demonstrate a cheerfulness that ran through him, as if a man who knew that this trial had no bearing on his final destiny. Instead, it was merely a way-station on the way to his desired evangelism in Rome. And even that was only a small portion of the race he was running on his way back to Christ who had appeared to Him on the road to Damascus.

All of this brought about a sense of joy that he could convey in his words to Agrippa. He was prepared to convey his thoughts to those he stood before, but especially Agrippa. With that stated, he next tells why he felt so blessed. He says this came about because he was “being about to defend myself today.”

A defense is exactly what he would be giving. Both in verse 1 and 2, the word apologeomai is used. It is His apologetic discourse which concerned the charges mentioned in Acts 24:5, 6, and which he had already answered on several occasions. In fact, the term apologeomai was used in Acts 24:10 when he first defended himself before Felix two years earlier.

His speech now will carry the same general substance that it did when he stood on the stairs in Jerusalem in Acts 22, but there will be less of a defense concerning apostasy and it will be more directed to his commission as an apostle and the divine assistance he received along the way.

Life application: To this day, Paul is maligned by his own people. The stain of being some type of heretic has been multiplied throughout the millennia so that, like Jesus, he is considered an absolute pariah to those who refer to him and his writings.

But, surprisingly, there are those who claim they follow Jesus and yet they reject Paul and his writings. What this means is that they are following “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4), and they have believed a different, meaning a false, gospel (Galatians 1:6-8). Adherents to this type of doctrine pick which books of the Bible they will adhere to or even which parts of books (such as Acts) they will accept.

They have, in their own deluded thinking, become the arbiters of God’s word. This is a sad place to be. But it is actually not as uncommon as it might seem. Their ideas are extreme and obviously false, but the same is true with any teaching that ignores even a single prescriptive precept.

For example, the pastoral epistles are clear and explicit about who can be a pastor or deacon and who is excluded. And yet, those prescriptive precepts are ignored by innumerable denominations and churches. Is that stand really any different than that of those who reject any of Paul’s writings? It may be less extreme, but it is still a pick and choose methodology that is harmful to the church.

Once any part of Scripture is taken out of its proper context we begin to fall into error. Let us be people who carefully consider context. Once the context is understood, we must then willingly be obedient to the precepts set forth within that context. In this, we will be people whose doctrine and adherence to that doctrine is fully pleasing to God.

Glorious Lord God, may we carefully and meticulously consider Your word as we read and study it. From there, may we apply its precepts to our lives in the manner which You have determined for us. May we rest in the grace of our Lord and Savior, never assuming that we can do better than He did by reinserting the law which He alone fulfilled and annulled. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Wisconsin State Capitol.

Sunday, 17 March 2024

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.”
So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: Acts 26:1

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

A more literal translation would be, “And Agrippa said to Paul, ‘It is permitted for you to speak for yourself.’ Then Paul, made his defense, having stretched out the hand” (CG).

The previous verse ended Chapter 25 with Festus noting that it was unreasonable to send a prisoner without specifying charges against him. Now, Chapter 26 begins with, “And Agrippa said to Paul.”

Scholars state that Agrippa was not in a superior position to Festus, but rather a different type of position. Therefore, his speaking first isn’t a yielding to his status. Instead, Agrippa, as the one who has requested the audience (25:22), and as the one who has been petitioned for assistance in the matter (25:26), is the one to grant Paul permission to speak. Understanding that, Agrippa says, “It is permitted for you to speak for yourself.”

Agrippa, having previously noted to Festus that he wanted to hear Paul, eagerly hands over to the chained apostle the right to speak. There is no introductory statement, no question added concerning the words of Festus, and no repetition of any of the charges of the Jews. One gets the sense that Agrippa truly was excitedly curious about Paul and what he had to say.

Having given the platform to Paul, it next says, “Then Paul, made his defense, having stretched out the hand.”

This stretching forth of the hand has already been seen by Paul in Acts 21:40 and by Alexander in Acts 19:33. Barnes notes, “This was the usual posture of orators or public speakers. The ancient statues are commonly made in this way, with the right hand extended. The dress of the ancients favored this. The long and loose robe, or outer garment, was fastened usually with a hook or clasp on the right shoulder, and thus left the arm at full liberty.”

As for Paul’s defense here, it is not one petitioning release. He was bound by law to go to Rome because of his appeal. Rather, he is repeating his case of innocence, knowing that it will be recorded for his trial in Rome.

Further, his appeal to Agrippa may ease the burden of other Christians in the future who would be subject to Agrippa’s rulings. A third reason is that Paul was an evangelist. What better opportunity to speak out the message of Christ? See Luke 21:12, 13 where Jesus spoke of exactly such an opportunity.

Life application: There are always times in life when it seems inconvenient to stop and tell someone about Jesus. We may be busy, we may have other things on our minds, etc. And yet, if we let the chance pass, we are bound to find out that whatever was distracting us wasn’t that big of a deal after all. But more, we will then consider that we missed our opportunity to tell that person about Jesus. The “I’ll get it next time” never happens.

The message of Jesus is the only message that can redirect a person from condemnation to salvation. Without it, they will be lost forever. Let us remember this and use every opportunity to share the good news.

Remember this from day to day. Redirect your mind to make sharing the gospel a priority. The more you do it, the more you will be willing to do it. Like everything else, such things take mental effort to do. However, as you continue to share the good news, it will become more and more natural until it becomes a part of your daily life. So get started and continue on!

Lord God, we often only get one chance to talk to a particular person. May we make talking about You a priority so that when we have that one-time meeting with someone, we at least can say we used it properly and told them what You have done for us. Help us not to be people who later regret neglecting this most important of all human interactions. It alone can make an eternal difference in their destiny. May we be willing to share it! Amen.

Plant urn, 1 each. Wisconsin Capitol.

Saturday, 16 March 2024

“For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.” Acts 25:27

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, Festus noted that he had nothing certain to write to Caesar concerning Paul. Hence, he was looking for something to write based on the examination. With that, he next says, “For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.”

Paul’s appeal to Rome placed Festus in a most embarrassing position. How could he send him to Rome without submitting a reason for sending him? Paul was tried by him, and yet he still found no way to specify any charges with which to justify elevating the matter to Caesar.

But Paul is the one who had appealed to Rome for his protection which was based on Festus’s suggestion to have him taken to Jerusalem for inquiry. As Jerusalem had no authority over him, and especially because they had failed to make any valid case against him, there was a vacuum left because of a person who had appealed to a higher authority, while at the same time, there was nothing with which to justify such an appeal.

For this reason, Festus’s words that it was “unreasonable to send” Paul as a prisoner to Rome are perfectly stated. Not only was it unreasonable, but it was also quite possibly career-ending for him. And yet, Paul had to be sent based on the decision of the trial.

Life application: It would make no sense for Festus to send Paul to Rome as a prisoner without charges laid against him. He would arrive in chains with a guard next to him, and they would ask, “What has this person done?” When the guard says, “I don’t know, they didn’t give me a reason,” it would cause a giant stir.

If you “send” the message of Jesus out to others, saying you are His bondservant, people may say, “Why are you telling me this? What authority over you does a dead guy have?” How are you going to explain Jesus’ authority to them?

It may seem like a silly proposition, but it is exactly why Peter says –

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15

Their response may be, “You claim to have a hope, you state that Jesus is your Lord, and you are His bondservant, and yet, you cannot explain why? What kind of hope is that!”

It is up to us to not only know these things are true but also how to explain to others that they are so. It can be hard at first. People ask unexpected questions that you may not be able to answer. You might feel silly when you cannot reply properly. But that is ok. The next time, you will be prepared for that answer. Another unusual question may arise, but don’t worry! Eventually, you will have an answer to every question that comes your way.

We all have to start somewhere, so don’t be afraid to start! Tell others about your hope. Unless they hear, they cannot also share in it.

Glorious Lord God, give us the inner desire to get the saving message of Jesus out to others. Help us not to be timid or reticent. Instead, may we be willing and ready. There are people who need to hear this word. May we be a part of sharing it. Yes, Lord, help us in this noble endeavor. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.