Author: Charlie Garrett

Stairway. Wyoming Capitol.

Saturday, 8 June 2024

And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. Acts 28:8

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 Greek, even if a tad clunky, more literally reads, “And it was, the father of Publius – afflicted with fevers and dysentery – who, lying toward Paul, having entered and having prayed, having laid the hands on him, healed him” (CG).

In the previous verse, Luke noted that there was a portion of land where the first of the island, Publius, lived. He invited Paul and others to stay with him for three days. Remembering that, it now says, “And it was.”

The Greek word egeneto is used to show the transition from one thing to another. In this, we can see that the divine hand is guiding the events of the matter. This transitional thought is then explained by Luke with the words, “the father of Publius – afflicted with fevers and dysentery.”

Publius has brought Paul, Luke, and whoever else was with them into his house. At some point, it was relayed to them that Publius’ father was sick. The word translated as “fever” is in the plural. This plural use of “fevers” is believed to indicate a recurrent fever.

As such, it was a malady that afflicted him regularly. Along with his fevers, he had a case of dysentery. It is a word found only here in the New Testament, dusenterion. Luke is giving a precise medical diagnosis of the situation.

Ellicott notes that the plural “fevers” in “combination with dysentery would, according to Hippocrates, who also uses the plural form (Aph. vi. 3), make the case more than usually critical.” In his situation, the verse uses multiple participles which makes the narrative quite exciting, “who, lying toward Paul, having entered and having prayed, having laid the hands on him, healed him.”

It is carefully noted that as soon as Paul entered, he prayed. At the same time, he laid hands on the sick man. All of this was done in a carefully recorded way to show an absolute connection between Paul’s actions and the man’s healing.

This is especially noted by Luke to show that Paul had subordinated himself to the Lord. It is likely that this was stated here to show the contrast to the initial claim of the locals, noted in the previous account just a couple of verses earlier, that he was called a god.

This verse parallels the account of Peter in Acts 9:32-35. For further insights concerning this, refer to James 5:14, 15. Also, notice the very close sequence of events in this account of Paul’s snake bite and then healing of this man in comparison to Mark 16:18.

In the previous verse, Publius was first noted in the Bible. Now, he is seen for the second and last time. This is actually noteworthy because, in just a couple of verses, it will say that the duration of their time on Malta is a full three months.

Life application: We are told here that Paul prayed, laid hands on the sick man, and he was healed. The next verse will speak about more healings. By incorrectly taking these verses in a prescriptive manner, many have assumed that we too have been given such powers without any limits at all.

They claim healing over others as if they have a right to demand things from the Lord, or as if they are divine conduits for the powers of healing to flow through them. This is completely contrary to what is actually the case. It is presumptuous and it is a sinful attitude.

Paul was unable to heal himself and several others as is clearly indicated in his epistles. And more, Scripture never indicates that we have been given the apostolic powers of healing.

Rather, we have been given the intelligence to produce medicines. Also, societies have developed institutions to educate people to be doctors and nurses. We have likewise been given the honor to pray for the healing of others. If it is in the Lord’s will to respond favorably, He will. But we should never claim such things as if we have the authority to tell the Spirit how and when to heal.

Use reason and intelligence when you pray for yourself and others. And, if you really want to be a part of the healing of others, go to school and learn how to do so. You can have a lifetime of positive effects on others, both physically and spiritually, if you are willing to put forth the effort.

Lord God, thank You for our doctors, nurses, and others who are in the business of healing others. And thank You that we can also come to You for healing when it is in Your will to respond. May we never accuse You in our hearts when others get sick and die, knowing that this is a fallen world. In Christ, however, we have an eternal hope of life and health ahead of us! Amen.

First responders flag – Wyoming Capitol.

Friday, 7 June 2024

In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. Acts 28:7

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 Greek more literally reads, “And in the surrounding area [lit: in the around that region], were parcels of the first of the island by name Publius, who having received us three days, lodged us hospitably” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul was seen to have not swollen up or keeled over from the snake bite. Because of this, the fickle islanders of Malta said he was a god. Now, Luke begins a new portion of the narrative, saying, “And in the surrounding area [lit: in the around that region].”

By God’s providence, they were shipwrecked in a particular place that would bring comfortable times to those who had been cast ashore. Despite the great trials and losses that were suffered by those who were shipwrecked, there would be a season of blessing to come upon them. This is first starting to be realized now because in that surrounding area, there “were parcels of the first of the island.”

The meaning of “first” is the principal man of the island. The adjective used to describe the person is protos. It means the first, or chief, and thus he is “the first man.” Ellicott notes –

“The term is found both in Greek and Latin inscriptions, at Malta, of the time of Augustus, as an official title.”

Score another point for Luke’s accuracy. He is the chief ruler or magistrate appointed to oversee the population. Luke then notes, “by name Publius.”

This man’s name is a Latin one, literally: Poplios. It is known that Malta was rendered under the province of Sicily and so he would have been over the island, but under the Sicilian proconsul.

What we see in him then is a person who has received his job through appointment and not through a family line. This is indicated even more poignantly by the fact (as will be seen) that his father is there. He would not be the chief man if the position was based on family. This man is said to have “received us three days.”

It is a new word in Scripture, anadechomai. It comes from ana, up or upwards, and dechomai, to receive or welcome. Thus, HELPS Word Studies says it signifies to “receive up to the limit” and thus “to welcome with gladness.”

They were whole-heartedly and enthusiastically received up by the chief man of the island. It is agreed that this did not mean the entire host from the ship, but rather a select few.

Despite being a prisoner, Paul was a Roman citizen and stood in high favor with Julius. Luke was a physician and, thus, a man of respect. It is probably these three and maybe a limited number of others who were brought in as guests for those three days until other arrangements could be made. . this time, Luke notes that he “lodged us hospitably”

The word translated as “hospitably,” philophronós, is an adverb found only here. It literally means, “acting from a mind-set of personal affection” HELPS Word Studies. In other words, this was not a formal thing that was required by custom, but an invitation because of truly having come to like them. It was probably brought on by the words of Julius to Publius about the exceptional character of Paul and Luke.

Life application: Luke writes in the first-person plural concerning this visit. Thus, he was there, and it is absolutely certain that Paul, as will be seen, was there as well. Because Paul was there, Julius would have been there also, being the lead soldier and personally responsible for Paul.

Nothing is said here, or anywhere else, about Julius being converted to the Christian faith. However, it is unlikely that he was not fully aware of every nuance of what it meant to be a Christian by the time his supervision of Paul was ended. He personally saw prophecies uttered and fulfilled. He will see miracles of healing in the verses ahead. If anyone ever knew it, certainly Julius did, since Paul would not have been silenced over his proclamation of the gospel, etc.

Because of this, either Julius was converted and that is purposefully left out of the narrative for whatever reason Luke deemed necessary, or the heart of Julius was soft towards Paul and hard toward the message Paul proclaimed.

The latter is not unusual. There are people who have remained friends for years, even friends of pastors and preachers, who find the faith of their good friend curious and maybe even a bit comical. And yet, they stay fast friends through it. And how many times has there been an effect on the stout unbeliever later in life?

We cannot know what effect we will have on others by giving the gospel and then simply sharing our lives together with those we know whether they readily accept our words at the start or wait decades to yield. We don’t need to beat our faith into others. We simply need to share it and then let our lives be a testimony to those we know.

Let us never tire of living out the gospel that we have received. When the ball drops in the life of others, and it always does, they will know who to turn to if they are willing to once again hear the good news in their time of need.

Lord God, may our faith be on display at all times for others to see and remember what we believe. But we need to first let them know what our faith entails. So, Lord, give us boldness to first share the message, and then to live it out from day to day from that point on. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Piece of support section of Twin Towers.

Thursday, 6 June 2024

However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. Acts 28:6

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 reads, “And they expected him about to be inflamed or to fall down dead suddenly. And they, upon much anticipating, and seeing nothing unusual happening to him, having turned about, they declared him to be a god” (CG).

Paul was just bitten by a viper, which he shook off into the fire and suffered no harm. Now, Luke continues with, “And they expected him about to be inflamed.”

It is a unique word in Scripture, pimpremi. It is the usual medical word for inflammation in ancient Greek. It literally signified “to fire,” and thus a burning inflammation which includes swelling. They were sure Paul was a goner, so they watched, expecting him to be inflamed “or to fall down dead suddenly.”

This is the third and last use of katapiptó, to fall down, in the New Testament. All three uses come from Luke’s writings. Those on the island were aware of this particular viper and knew its effects. Hence, they fully expected Paul to keel over and die.

Luke uses the word aphnó, suddenly, to describe their expectation. This is the third and last time it is used. It referred to the sudden coming of the Spirit in Acts 2:2 which was accompanied by sound and wind. It also referred to a sudden earthquake in Acts 16:26 when Paul and Silas were in prison and their chains were loosed.

The islanders were expecting something just as sudden with Paul, however, Luke next records, “And they, upon much anticipating.”

The word translated as “anticipating” was a word known in Greek medical writings. It signifies to watch in expectation where mental direction is employed. The people were keeping an eye on Paul, fully expecting him to have one of these symptoms. But Luke continues the thought with, “and seeing nothing unusual happening to him.”

Here, the words translated as “nothing unusual” were also used by physicians to indicate unusual symptoms of a disease, including something fatal or deadly. The use of these medical terms gives a good indication of the authenticity of Luke’s authorship.

He was a carefully observant man who was able to see the same traits in others as they watched for such symptoms as well. Because nothing untoward came upon Paul, Luke next records of the people, “having turned about, they declared him to be a god.”

These words include another word unique in Scripture, metaballó. As a paraphrase, it signifies to change one’s mind, but a literal translation is “to turn round” or “to turn about.” Just as a person will turn around to face another direction, so a person turns about in his mind when he changes his mind.

Instead of thinking of Paul as a murderer, they suddenly realized that he was instead rather extraordinary. Taking things a bit too far, however, they ascribed deity to him. It could be that they may have been thinking of the Greek deities like Apollo or Aesculapius who are depicted as subduing serpents.

Their minds surely raced, looking for a suitable conclusion. How could any mortal be bitten by a poisonous serpent and show no signs of it harming him?

Life application: This verse shows the fickle nature of the people which is found in all people everywhere. It is highlighted in Acts 14 as well but in the opposite sense. There, it said –

“Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!’ ¹² And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. ¹³ Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out ¹⁵ and saying, ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, ¹⁶ who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. ¹⁷ Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.’ ¹⁸ And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
¹⁹ Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.” Acts 14:11-19

In the eyes of those at Lystra, he went from being a god to being a dead man. On Malta, he went from being a dead man to being a god. In the case of their suddenly exclaiming Paul a god, their superstitions cannot be considered uncommon even in today’s world. We simply package them up differently.

It is human nature to want to deify things we don’t understand. But as Christians, we need to remember that there is one God. All else is a part of creation. We are never to ascribe deity to any created thing, we are to refrain from idolatry, and we are to promote God to His rightful position in our words to others.

In doing these things, we will be acting properly in the presence of our Creator.

Lord God Almighty, You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. You are magnificent in Your being and You are caring for Your creatures. May we respond to You accordingly, giving You alone our heartfelt worship and adoration. Yes, glory to You, O God, in the highest! Amen.

A couple of eagles. Obvious stuffed after a big meal.

Wednesday, 5 June 2024

But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. Acts 28:5

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 literal rendering of the Greek is, “He indeed then, having shaken off the beast into the fire suffered nothing evil” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul had a viper latch onto his hand, and because of this, the people accused him of being a murderer whom justice had not allowed to live. However, Luke next records, “But he shook off the creature into the fire.”

Here is a word found for the second and last time, apotinassó. It signifies to brush away or shake away. The only other use was in Luke 9 –

“Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. ⁵ And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off [apotinassó] the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” Luke 9:4, 5

Luke’s words concerning Paul seem almost casual as if he was shaking the dust off his garments after a long walk in the wilderness. Despite it having been a viper and the people being sure he would keel over from the poison, he not only shook it off, but Luke next says, “and suffered no harm.”

The words here again imply that the snake was poisonous. Were it not so, there would be no need to give the details as they are recorded. As noted previously, these words are certainly given as a fulfillment of Mark 16:18.

Those words, as recorded in Mark, were spoken to those present with Christ. There is no reason to assume that they go any further than them. Snake-handling churches, poison-drinking churches, and the bizarre antics in charismatic churches have mistakenly and inappropriately taken such things out of context.

As a witness to this fact, one can take a bottle of poison into a snake handling church, and they won’t drink it. One can take a snake into a poison drinking church, and they won’t handle it. And one can take either into a charismatic church, and the people will quickly exit the building. This is all hubbub involving terrible theology. The Bible bears witness to the miracles promised to the apostles. There is no need to go beyond that.

Life application: Why anyone feels the need to force the speaking of tongues is beyond comprehension. And yet, this is the standard in churches that supposedly speak in tongues. People have to be coaxed into doing what they would normally not do.

Does the Spirit need to be forced? Rather, the Spirit of God will overshadow, clothe, or come upon people in Scripture, guiding them without being forced to do so. As previously mentioned, snake handlers in churches die from time to time. The Spirit obviously wasn’t condoning their actions if He allowed the people to die from what was, supposedly, a demonstration of His presence.

It is unreasonable to expect God to do things simply for show. There is no need to “prove” that God is among His people. If they are being obedient to His word and living rightly in His presence, He is there among them.

Be reasonable in your thinking, be diligent in your studies, and be ready to share the gospel with others at all times. Such things will be pleasing to God. But forcing yourself to speak in gibberish is not only ridiculous, it is unscriptural. Don’t get caught up in unsound theology. Rather, get caught up in the wonder of God’s precious word!

Lord God, may our conduct before You be sound, reasonable, and honoring of You. Help us to think rightly and clearly about You at all times, bringing honor to You and leading others to a desire to pursue You more and more all their days. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Eagle, one each. Wyoming Capitol.

Tuesday, 4 June 2024

So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” Acts 28:4

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).

A literal translation is, “And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said to one another, ‘This man is altogether a murderer, whom, having been saved from the sea, the justice has not permitted to live’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul went out gathering sticks to add to the bonfire. When he laid them on the fire, a viper came out and fastened on his hand. With that recorded, Luke next adds, “And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging from his hand.”

As is normally the case, it is a shocking sight to see a venomous snake. How much more when its fangs are embedded in the hand of someone? It is a sure sign that a great deal of misery and maybe even death lies ahead.

This is especially so because a snake may quickly bite, giving a small dose of poison, but a viper that latches onto someone will have time to pump all of its venom into its foe. This is the case with Paul. Therefore, “they said to one another, ‘This man is altogether a murderer.’”

As is common to most people of the world, when something bad happens, it is ascribed to karma or some other type of cosmic justice that keeps things in check. The Book of Job is a great study on this. In this case, the people saw the viper hanging from his hand, knew it was a poisonous snake that would kill him, and jumped to the conclusion that he must have deserved what had happened to him.

In this case, they made the illogical jump to the conclusion that he was a murderer. As such, they then said, “whom, having been saved from the sea, this justice has not permitted to live.”

Accepting that this was divine justice, though the sea failed to kill him, which was obviously (what else would one expect!) what should have been the case, the serpent was sent to complete the task. Of course, this was so! The tense of the verb, being aorist, states it as an accomplished fact. Literally “the justice to live not has permitted him,” or more directly, “he is dead.”

In their words, Justice, diké (deekay), is personified. Justice to these pagans was represented as a goddess, the daughter of Jupiter. It was her office to take vengeance or to inflict punishment for crimes. As such, they believed that the goddess, Justice, had rendered judgment and executed the criminal.

Life application: Though it may seem a bit superstitious to accept that the snake was a retributive punishment for some supposed crime of Paul, Jesus let those of Israel know that this thought is not entirely unfounded. In Matthew 5, while speaking to the people of Israel, we read His words, saying –

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ ²² But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” Matthew 5:21, 22

And again –

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ²⁸ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27, 28

One of the points of Jesus’ words is that God’s standard of measurement includes the thoughts and intents of the heart. If we are honest with ourselves, there isn’t one of us who has been perfect in such matters. Therefore, the standard of justice that God demands because of His own personal perfection has been violated. Because of this, we all are under a death sentence.

This doesn’t mean that we can expect a viper to come out and bite us, but it does mean that we can expect to be eternally separated from God for the corruption that exists within us. And more, we should accept that because of our corrupt state, we will have the resulting corruption of the world that surrounds us to afflict us at any given time.

Paul speaks of this in Romans. The perfect creation that God made was marred when man sinned. Now, the very forces of nature and the creatures in the world work against us at times. Time, along with the decay within us, also works against us, wearing us down. Our golden years are really not so golden, and death is only a heartbeat away.

Though we do not have to look at every catastrophe or accident as the hand of God actively working against us, looking to bring justice upon us, we can still know that this world is constructed in the way it is because of sin. And, therefore, we can expect bad things to happen at any given time.

Let us remember, however, that for those who are redeemed through Jesus, we have the expectation of a life that will be far more glorious than we can ever imagine. When we are removed once and forever from the presence of sin, things will be restored to a state that we cannot even conceive at this time. This is our great hope, and it has all been provided because of the goodness of God that is found in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lord God, may we hold fast to the hope set before us. Even in this terrible world of chaos and disaster, we see enough of the beauty and harmony of Your loving hand to assure us that something far better lies ahead for Your people. We know this is so and we long for that glorious day. Until then, may we never fail to praise You for Your goodness! Amen.