Author: Charlie Garrett

Fancy marble work, West Virginia Capitol.

Sunday, 14 January 2024

This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. Acts 23:27

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, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The words are filled with participles, excitedly filling the statement with action. It more literally reads, “This man, having been seized by the Jews, and being about to be killed by them, having come with the detachment, I rescued him, having learned that he is Roman” (CG).

In the previous verse, Claudius Lysias, the Roman commander, opened his letter to Felix the governor. He now enters into the main details of the reason for that letter, beginning with, “This man.”

In the Greek, Paul is identified as ton andra touton, “the man, this.” Bengel sees this as a way of granting a title of honor. It is again used as the letter closes out in verse 30. The reason for this particular expression is explained by the end of the verse when he is identified further as being Roman. Of him, the letter continues, “having been seized by the Jews.”

It was the Jews who seized Paul and started hurling accusations at him. They got into such a lather that he was “about to be killed by them.” The situation practically turned into a riot as the temple doors were shut.

Once it was seen that they were about to kill Paul, the Roman garrison was notified, and the soldiers acted, “having come with the detachment.” Were they not to have come immediately, Paul surely would not have survived. However, the commander briefly states, “I rescued him.”

Of this word, while citing Bengel, Vincent’s Word Studies says –

“Bengel says, ‘a lie.’ Lysias wishes to make the impression that Paul’s citizenship was the cause of his rescuing him; whereas he did not know of this until afterward. He says nothing about the proposed scourging.”

That untruth is seen in the final words of the verse, “having learned that he is Roman.”

It is not a noun, “a Roman.” Rather, it is an adjective, “Roman.” He is highlighting the honor of the state of citizenship and how he carefully defended that aspect of the culture, regardless of any other traits. It would be like saying, “I was willing to defend the citizenship itself, whether he was my best friend or a personal enemy.”

Although this isn’t at all what happened with respect to Paul’s Roman citizenship, it is intended to show the commander’s passion for protecting Romans and to preempt any negative comments by Paul concerning his treatment. In essence, he has completely buried his illegal actions towards Paul and is hoping that his wording in this letter will keep them forever buried. Unfortunately, he didn’t know that Luke was such a minute chronicler of the events of life.

Life application: Claudius Lysias has presented his actions in the most favorable light, even if they were not completely true. This will continue to be seen in his brief letter. His words are recorded and placed in Scripture for every person who has ever read the Bible to see.

How would we act if we knew that every word we spoke and deed we did were being recorded for others to see? Would we say things a little bit differently? Would we refrain from doing certain things and be sure to do other things that we would otherwise leave undone?

If we really believe that God is the judge of all men and is omniscient, then our words and deeds are, in fact, being recorded. If we can capture millions of live stream cameras 24 hours a day and keep those recordings in storage for future playback, how much more can we know that God is able to replay every moment of our existence before us!

This thought should not scare us, but it should alert us to the fact that God is there and everything we think, say, and do is known to Him. From that knowledge, we should endeavor to live our lives appropriately before Him. Everything we do will be brought to light when we stand before Him –

“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. ¹¹ Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-11

We believed the gospel. The same God, who we believe read our hearts at that time, is the God who is now monitoring our lives in Christ for eternal rewards. Let our hearts be faithful, and may our actions be in accord with His will, as is set forth for us in Scripture. On the day when we are presented before the Judge, may rewards abound because of it.

Heavenly Father, thank You for having heard us on the day we believed the gospel. At that time, You sealed us with Your Spirit and granted us eternal life. Help us to remember that You are still listening and hearing. May our lives now be filled with the same faith that we professed on that day. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Another special seating area, West Virginia Senate.

Saturday, 13 January 2024

Claudius Lysias,
To the most excellent governor Felix:
Greetings.
 Acts 23:26

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, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The narrative previously noted that the commander wrote a letter to Felix, the governor. The introductory salutation of that letter now begins, saying, “Claudius Lysias.”

By giving his name here, we finally learn the commander’s identity. Until this point, he has been referred to many times as the chiliarchos, a commander over a thousand men, and simply translated as “the commander” in these commentaries.

His first name, Claudius, is Roman. It was probably a name he assumed from Emperor Claudius, maybe when he received his citizenship. The second name appears to be Greek and was probably his name before becoming a citizen. Thus, he was probably originally a Greek or from the various Greek speaking peoples within the empire. He next writes, “To the most excellent governor Felix.”

The title “most excellent,” kratistos, is the same title that Luke gave to Theophilus at the beginning of the book of Luke. It will be used two more times, both in Acts and both spoken during formal discourse with the appointed governor. The word is an adjective coming from kratos, a word signifying might, strength, dominion, power, etc. Thus, it literally means “strongest.”

As for the word translated as governor, it is hégemón. It is the source of our word hegemony. In classical Greek, it is used to refer to various leadership positions. The verse ends with “Greetings.”

The word used, chairó, is the same as was used in Acts 15:23 and in James 1:1 in the introduction of those letters. This letter may have been sent unsealed. Thus, it might have been read by Paul. It may have even been that he read it as the commander wrote it out. Or it may be that Paul or Luke was provided a copy of it in Caesarea. Thus, the substance of the letter has been recorded in Scripture.

Life application: This is a very short and simple verse, and yet it has details that give us a fuller understanding of how things were at the time of the apostles. Knowing the meaning of the words used can help us to piece together how people interacted, what words were commonly used in various settings (such as the introductory greeting to letters), what type of lines of authority existed, and so forth.

When you come to short, seemingly insignificant verses like this, don’t just quickly brush past it. Instead, take time to consider how such interactions are similar or different to how our modern world is structured. Quite often, we can see that things were not all that different in the past.

Though time is marching on, the human race remains in pretty much the same state that it has always been in. Until the return of Jesus, it will be so. Societies will evolve and devolve in a manner not unlike those recorded in the Bible. The main thing that directs them is their relation to laws intended to govern the sinful traits of man.

When societies punish wrongdoing in a just and fair manner, they will tend to prosper. When they treat their citizens in a respectful way, there will be harmony. Etc. However, when society moves away from such things, chaos begins to enter, and societal breakdown occurs. These things can be seen in Scripture, in the writings of societies, and in the way societies are moving before our eyes.

When Jesus comes for His people, a new order of things will come about. Someday, a perfect government without any sin will be realized. It will have perfect harmony, and there will be eternal communion and fellowship with our Creator. This is what God has done for us. It is now offered to us through the giving of Jesus. Hallelujah!

Thank You, O God, for the precious hope we possess. Someday, we will no longer have to deal with our fallen nature. We will be granted a new direction and an eternal state of joy and fellowship in Your presence. How we long for that day. We possess this hope and are highly anticipating its coming about. Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen.

Roof of West Virginia Senate, I beleive.

Friday, 12 January 2024

He wrote a letter in the following manner: Acts 23:25

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, 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 says, “Having written a letter, having this form:” (CG).

In the last verse, the commander ordered that beasts were to be provided to set Paul on in order to conduct him to Felix the governor safely. Now, it says, “Having written a letter, having this form:”

It seems like a curious few words to make into a single verse, but it is not without importance. First, Luke uses the word tupos which indicates a representation of something else. In other words, this letter is in the same form as the original, but it was not an exact copy.

Tupos is “originally: the mark of a blow, then a stamp struck by a die, (a) a figure; a copy, image, (b) a pattern, model, (c) a type, prefiguring something or somebody” (Strong’s).

Hebrews 8:5 and 1 Peter 5:3 show good uses of this word for us to understand –

“For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; ⁵ who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, ‘See that you make all things according to the pattern [tupos] shown you on the mountain.’” Hebrews 8:4, 5

“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples [tupos] to the flock; ⁴ and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” 1 Peter 5:2-4

As for the letter Luke now refers to, both the author of the letter and its recipient were Roman citizens. Because of this, the letter was probably written not in Greek but in Latin. Therefore, the letter, as explained by Luke, would be a translation of what was said, not a direct copy of it. Hence, it is a type or form of the original.

Life application: The Bible was written in several different languages. There is only one way to exactly convey the original language, which is to read and understand it in that language. But that would mean everyone would need to be proficient in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, something totally unnecessary.

Rather, through competent translation, the sense of the original is sufficiently conveyed. However, there are various ways of translating so that the original makes sense in a particular manner. If there are alliterations in the original language, they are there to excite the mind in a particular way.

However, a literal translation may not produce an alliteration. So, should it be more freely translated and include an alliteration to match, or should it be a literal translation that has no alliteration? Actually, either is sufficient as long as the original meaning is still understood. As some translations will follow one method and others will follow another, it is good to read many different translations and styles of translations.

In this, you can get a fuller appreciation of the content that was originally presented when it was first written. Never stop reading the word, and don’t get bogged down and captivated by a single translation. You will miss out on so very much if you do!

Glorious God, we are grateful to You for the wonderful word You have given to us. Thank You for the competent translators and expositors who convey to us what the original writings mean in our own languages. Your word is a treasure and exploring it is a joy. Please provide a special blessing today upon those who so faithfully and tenderly convey Your word to us. Amen.

Big wig seating or maybe visitor seating. West Virginia Senate.

Thursday, 11 January 2024

“and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” Acts 23:24

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, 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 provide beasts, that, having set Paul upon, they might bring safely unto Felix the governor” (CG).

In the previous verse, the commander directed that soldiers, horsemen, and spearmen be readied to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night. Now, his words continue, saying, “And provide beasts.”

The word kténos is used. It simply means a beast, as in a beast of burden. It could be a horse, a donkey, or a camel. Being with the Romans, it was probably either a horse or a donkey. Paul would not have to walk the long trek to Caesarea because it next says, “that, having set Paul upon, they might bring safely unto Felix the governor.”

Being on an animal and surrounded by almost five hundred soldiers, there would be very little chance any harm would come to him. Once safely out of the local area, many of the soldiers would return to Jerusalem, but those continuing on would guarantee his safe passage and delivery to Felix. As for this governor named Felix, a short description from Adam Clarke will suffice –

“This Felix was a freed man of the Emperor Claudius, and brother of Pallas, chief favourite of the emperor. Tacitus calls him Antonius Felix; and gives us to understand that he governed with all the authority of a king, and the baseness and insolence of a quondam slave. … He had, according to Suetonius, in his life of Claudius, chap. 28, three queens to his wives; that is, he was married thrice, and each time to the daughter or niece of a king. Drusilla, the sister of Agrippa, was his wife at this time; see Acts 24:24. He was an unrighteous governor; a base, mercenary, and bad man: see Acts 24:2.”

Life application: Imagine how safe Paul was as he was carried out of Jerusalem on his way to Caesarea. It is certain that no harm would come to him. And more, he had the assurance of the Lord Himself that he would be taken to Rome to testify concerning the risen Christ.

With such security, and with such a guarantee from the mouth of the Lord, he would have had no concerns at all as he traveled along the road out of Jerusalem. We all have trials and troubles in this life, some of them are greater than we might be able to bear at the moment. And some of them will lead to our death or the death of those we love.

But this is not the end of the story for those who know Jesus. We may have uncertainty about the immediate prospects in our lives but let us be as certain as Paul was that we will make it to our final destination. The Lord has spoken, and the promise is sure –

“‘Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know.’
⁵ Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’
⁶ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:1-6

This is a promise from Jesus Christ, the risen Lord and the eternal God. Yes, trials and troubles are the hallmark of our walk in this fallen world, but safe passage to the New Jerusalem is guaranteed. Even if the ride getting there is a bit bumpy, we shall arrive safely and be granted an eternal inheritance that will outshine any temporary darkness and difficulty we now face. Be confident in this.

O God, we are grateful to You for the assurance we possess because of the wonderful and exalted work of Jesus Christ our Lord. Though our trials are many and this earthly life is often difficult, we are confident that what has been promised shall be delivered. Thank You, O God, for this wonderful surety we can hold onto. Amen.

West Virginia Senate.

Wednesday, 10 January 2024

And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night; Acts 23:23

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, 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 would be, “And having called a certain two of the centurions, he said, ‘Prepare two hundred soldiers that they might go unto Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen; from the third hour of the night’” (CG).

The commander, having received word about the plot against Paul, just dismissed Paul’s nephew. Now, it says, “And having called a certain two of the centurions.”

Luke notes that the commander called “a certain” two of the centurions. Although this could simply be two on duty at the time, the wording seems purposeful. The commander is calling forth two trusted centurions that he knows he can rely on. These certain two are called to make the preparations.

With these two noted, he then said to them, “Prepare two hundred soldiers.” This would seem in line with their title, “centurion.” They are designated over a hundred men each. Therefore, calling two hundred men would be expected. This was so “that they might go unto Caesarea.”

They were to prepare for a lengthy march. The distance from Jerusalem to Caesarea on the modern highway is about 75 miles. So, this is at least a two-day march. Along with these men, the commander next says, “and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen.”

Within a short time, they would have gathered a contingent of almost five hundred soldiers just to safely conduct Paul out of the city and to the city of Caesarea. It will be seen that the soldiers will accompany Paul as far as Antipatris (as will be noted in verse 32) and then return to the city. From there, only the horsemen would be needed to conduct him the rest of the way. The commander then notes that this contingent was to be needed “from the third hour of the night.”

What the third hour of the night means depends on what clock Luke is using for the account. If he was using Jewish reckoning, it would be around 9 to 10 pm. Either way, without anyone knowing of the plan, they would be safely out of the city before daybreak, and the plotting of the Jews would be a complete failure.

Of interest is the word translated as “spearmen,” dexiolabos. It is a word found only here in Scripture. It literally means “right-hand grabbers,” coming from dexios (the right hand, or on the right side) and lambanó (to take hold of). Not only is it not found anywhere else in the Bible, but it is not seen anywhere in classical Greek. The next time it will be seen will be in the 7th century.

Vincent’s Word Studies says, “The exact meaning is uncertain. Some explain it as those who take the right side of the prisoners whom they have in charge; others, those who grasp (their weapon) with the right hand; others, again, those who hold (a second horse) by the right hand. They are here distinguished from the heavy-armed legionaries and the cavalry. They were probably light-armed troops, javelin-throwers or slingers.”

Life application: The Lord obviously knew that almost five hundred men would be used to conduct Paul as he was taken to Caesarea. In Acts 8, Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, and then it says –

“Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰ But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.” Acts 8: 39, 40

The word used to describe Philip’s removal from the eunuch is harpazó, to seize or snatch by force. We are left with the sense that Philip was there, and then he was gone. From there, he was “found” at Azotus. The wording is telling us that something unique took place, and Philip was there, and then he wasn’t.

Why didn’t the Lord just do this with Paul instead of having almost five hundred men’s lives upheaved for an emergency trip to Caesarea? It’s the same place Philip was eventually led to. We can speculate all day long about the workings of God, but when something unusual happens in Scripture, we should take it as a reliable account of what occurred and not try to diminish what we are being told.

At the same time, we should not rely on sensationalism to spiff up the narrative either. There is a sense of great importance assigned to Paul because his message was one of the greatest importance. This is seen with all clarity in Acts 23:11, where the Lord stood by him to encourage him with the words “as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

The same is no less true today. If you are sharing the gospel, the Lord will be with you through the process. As long as you are needed to fulfill that purpose, He will see you through whatever trial is happening. At some point, your time will be over. These things are determined by God. Therefore, don’t be frustrated at the Lord over seemingly negative things that transpire.

If your church has a missionary who was killed while in the field, if your pastor gets cancer and dies, if your church is destroyed in a flood or a fire, the Lord knew these things. Look for His hand in what occurs and be willing to acknowledge that what He has decided is what is right. In the end, the words, “The Lord’s will be done,” are always true.

Whether you are taken in the rapture or die in your bed, the Lord is with you. Be of good cheer. If you are in Christ, the Lord is certainly with you.

Glorious Lord God, may we hold fast to the truth that You are with us and are aware of everything that transpires around us. Give us the wisdom to conduct our lives with this knowledge and display an attitude to those around us that we accept it is so. Help us to always be people of faith who live out our lives faithfully. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.