Author: Charlie Garrett

Fancy chandeliers at Washington State Capitol.

Friday, 30 June 2023

But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Acts 18:6

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

The verbs are in the wrong tense in the NKJV. The verse reads, “And they opposing and blaspheming, having shaken out the garments, he said to them, ‘Your blood upon your head. I am clean. From now, to the Gentiles I will go’” (CG).

In the previous verse, it noted that Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and so he testified to the Jews about Jesus being the Christ. Now Luke continues saying, “And they opposing and blaspheming.”

The word translated as opposing signifies strong opposition such as opposing the entire makeup of something, organized resistance such as a particular battle array during warfare, people being opposed to something in both principle and in practice, etc. Because the verb is plural, it reveals that this was not an isolated instance. Rather, it was a concerted effort that was brought against him.

The word translated as blaspheming, blasphémeó, signifies the refusal to acknowledge good or to speak profanely of sacred things. In this case, they opposed Paul’s message by treating his word about Jesus with contempt. TheJews took Jesus’ sacred name and the gospel and vilified them. Because of this, Paul’s response was, “having shaken out the garments.”

To understand the meaning of this act, a short passage from Nehemiah will explain –

“Then I said, ‘What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies? ¹⁰ I also, with my brethren and my servants, am lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop this usury! ¹¹ Restore now to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also a hundredth of the money and the grain, the new wine and the oil, that you have charged them.’
¹² So they said, ‘We will restore it, and will require nothing from them; we will do as you say.’
Then I called the priests, and required an oath from them that they would do according to this promise. ¹³ Then I shook out the fold of my garment and said, ‘So may God shake out each man from his house, and from his property, who does not perform this promise. Even thus may he be shaken out and emptied.’” Nehemiah 5:9-13

The act by Paul would have been perfectly understood by them. He was symbolically asking the Lord to shake them out of their offered inheritance among the saints. This act is not unlike that directed by Jesus in the synoptic gospels. When the message was rejected in a particular city, He told His disciple to shake the dust off their feet and move on. They were symbolically indicating they would have nothing further to do with such a group of people. Along with Paul’s symbolic act, “he said to them, ‘Your blood upon your head.’”

This would also have been perfectly understood by his hearers. In Matthew 27, at the crucifixion of Jesus, it said –

“Then the governor said, ‘Why, what evil has He done?’
But they cried out all the more, saying, ‘Let Him be crucified!’
²⁴ When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.’
²⁵ And all the people answered and said, ‘His blood be on us and on our children.’
²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.” Matthew 27:23-26

The idea then is that of blood guilt. The Jews who condoned the crucifixion of Jesus had His blood guilt upon them. Those in Corinth had their own blood guilt upon them because of sin. By rejecting the offering of God through the giving of Jesus, their blood guilt remained. This is what Jesus was referring to in John 8 –

“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘I am going away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come.’
²² So the Jews said, ‘Will He kill Himself, because He says, “Where I go you cannot come”?’
²³ And He said to them, ‘You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. ²⁴ Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.’” John 8:21-24

Understanding this, Paul next proclaimed, “I am clean.” The meaning is, he did not bear any responsibility for their blood guilt. It was his task to share the message of Jesus. He did that but they rejected the offer of reconciliation. He could not force the matter upon them. As such, their guilt remained while Paul was clean in regard to their coming torment. This is not unlike the word of the Lord to Ezekiel –

“Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand. ²¹ Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man that the righteous should not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live because he took warning; also you will have delivered your soul.” Ezekiel 30:20, 21

With his proclamation of being clean stated, he then turned to the most degrading thing that could alight upon their ears, saying, “From now, to the Gentiles I will go.” The words are similar to those of Acts 13 –

“Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us:
“I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.”’” Acts 13:46, 47

The Jews had counted themselves unworthy of eternal life through acceptance of God’s offer of reconciliation. Paul, still adamant that this was the true message, said he would now carry it to the Gentiles. The implication is that the Gentiles who received the word would be accepted by God while these Jews would be rejected. The word would be unconscionable to them. But it was already a word spoken out by Jesus concerning Gentiles –

“Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, ⁶ saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.’
⁷ And Jesus said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’
⁸ The centurion answered and said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, “Go,” and he goes; and to another, “Come,” and he comes; and to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it.’
¹⁰ When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! ¹¹ And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. ¹² But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ ¹³ Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.’ And his servant was healed that same hour.” Matthew 8:5-13

As for Paul’s words now, they don’t mean that he wouldn’t go to the Jews at all anymore. Rather, he would no longer go to them in Corinth. He had proclaimed, they had rejected, and he was through with them.

Life application: The opposing and blaspheming of Jesus by the Jews continues to this day. His name is generally held in contempt by Jewish society and especially so among the more religious sects. However, this does not mean that we shouldn’t at least attempt to evangelize them.

As will be seen in the coming verses, just because the Jews of Corinth rejected the message of Jesus, this was not a universal rejection. Some will hear and heed. So be sure to tell the good news to any person that may come across your path. The Lord will deal with those who reject Him. There is no need to feel the guilt of not at least trying on that day.

Precious Lord God, so many are opposed to the wonderfully good news of Jesus. Sometimes, it seems like it isn’t worth the effort to engage a certain group or family because of their resistance to You, but we don’t know if there is a tender heart among them unless we step forward and speak. So, Lord, help us to do this. It is never a wasted effort. Yes Lord, embolden us for the task. Amen.

Some spot in the Washington State Capitol.

Thursday, 29 June 2023

When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 18:5

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, 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 of this verse should read, “And when both Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the Spirit, fully testifying to the Jews: Jesus is the Christ” (CG). The previous verse noted Paul having reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks. With that stated, Luke now records, “And when both Silas and Timothy came down.”

Paul was in Corinth, living with Aquila and Priscilla. He had gone to the synagogue and reasoned with those who attended each Sabbath. However, with the coming of Silas and Timothy, there is a notable change in the dynamics of what takes place. These two had come down “from Macedonia.”

The actual movement of Silas and Timothy is a bit hard to follow. Although unlikely, they may have met Paul and returned to Macedonia or they may have remained in Macedonia. The last time the two of them were mentioned were in Acts 17:14, 15 while they were in Berea. It is probable that both remained in that area until this point. Once they found that Paul had gone to Corinth, they went there to meet him.

It is believed that 1 Thessalonians was probably written around this time and was then carried back to Thessalonica with whoever accompanied Silas and Timothy. The letter would have been spurred on by the report received by Paul from these two. It is of note that there are some similar thoughts presented in 1 Corinthians 15 and in 1 Thessalonians 4 concerning the return of the Lord and the glorification of the saints. Similarities concerning spiritual gifts are also notable between the two epistles.

With the arrival of these two, it next says that “Paul was pressed in the Spirit.” This seems to indicate that the arrival of Silas and Timothy is what urged Paul to a more direct approach concerning his words about Jesus. He had been in the synagogues reasoning from Scripture, but now with his two companions at hand, he became more emboldened than ever to simply proclaim Christ.

It seems that up to this point, he had tried to reason with his audience, but now he felt that they simply needed to hear the proclamation. Enough reasoning from Scripture had taken place and it may have devolved into an academic study rather than a gospel presentation. Their arrival seems to have changed this. This is probably because of the words of Silas and Timothy about the state of the believers in Macedonia.

In other words, those in Macedonia had readily accepted the words of Paul and they had also remained strong in their faith after his departure. Paul was pressed in his spirit to have the same zeal grow within this congregation as well. The word used to describe this is sunechó. It signifies to press together, confine, compel, afflict, etc. The actual meaning will depend on the context. However, it conveys a very strong emotion or feeling.

In this state, it next says he was “fully testifying to the Jews.” The word diamarturomai means more than to testify, but to testify all the way through. Paul bore witness and fully defended his stand on the matter that “Jesus is the Christ.”

Some translations, such as the KJV and others, unfortunately read “Jesus was Christ.” Jesus was, is, and ever will be. Saying “was” completely eradicates the idea of the eternal nature of what is presented. The verb is present tense in the Greek and should be rendered as such. And more, various translations, the KJV included, leave off the article by saying, “Jesus was Christ.”

The definite nature of the proclamation by Paul indicates that Jesus wasn’t just a Christ, but the Christ. He is the fulfillment of the messianic expectations and the One who had fulfilled them all. He continued in that position at the time of Paul’s words, and He continues in that position to this day.

Life application: The subtleties of the word require careful study. Although most translations get the point across about what is being conveyed, they can easily be twisted if someone really wanted to press a matter. Saying “was” in this verse can lead someone to make a faulty statement about the nature of Christ. This is especially so when it is claimed that the translation is perfect and exactly as God intended (as claimed by KJV adherents).

The thought can be rectified by reading other statements in the Bible, but not everyone is going to be so diligent to study the word. This is why there are so many aberrant cults and sects out there. People trust without verifying. When this happens, anything can be injected into their minds concerning what the word is conveying. Read the word! Study the word! Be willing to spend your time researching things from the word that catch your eye.

Don’t implicitly trust. Instead, verify! Show yourself approved. With this, the Lord will be pleased.

Great and awesome God, Your word is so very precious. Help us to seek it out and contemplate it day and night. Even when we are working or on a vacation, we can still think about what Your word told us during our morning study. There is always time to think about what You are telling us. Thank You, O God, for Your precious word. Amen.

Skylight, Washington Stae Capitol

Wednesday, 28 June 2023

And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. Acts 18:4

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

The verse more literally reads, “And he was reasoning in the synagogue on every Sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks” (CG). The previous verse noted the fact that Paul and Aquila were tentmakers. It may seem a sudden diversion to go from that thought directly into this one, but it really isn’t.

Luke is conveying to his reader that Paul didn’t just lounge around all week waiting for the Sabbath. Rather, when he was not involved in telling people about Jesus, he faithfully worked with his hands to support himself. When he wasn’t working, however, Luke records, “And he was reasoning in the synagogue.”

The verb, being imperfect, reveals the ongoing nature of the matter. He made this his usual practice. He worked when it was time to work and then he went to the synagogue and reasoned with those there “on every Sabbath.”

The Sabbath is the Jewish day of rest. It is the end of the week, falling on Saturday. When Paul wasn’t making tents, he was taking the day off and going to the synagogue, reasoning with those there and “persuading both Jews and Greeks.”

As the synagogue was open on the Sabbath, that is the time when the Scriptures could be opened and searched out. It was the time when the Jews were gathered, along with any proselytes and even any Greeks Paul may have encountered and told about Jesus. The word used to describe the Greeks means any Greek speaking person, not just proselytes.

Nothing is said about this synagogue being like those in Berea. There, they were said to have “searched the Scriptures daily” to find out if what Paul was saying matched what the word of God said.

Despite this, at least in Corinth they reasoned once a week when the synagogue was opened.

Life application: It is not uncommon for Jews and Judaizers to point at verses like this one and say, “See, Paul always kept the Sabbath and so should you.” That is not a well-thought-out argument and it does not pass the smell test. First, the place where the scrolls of Scripture were kept was at the synagogue. Therefore, it was necessary to meet there on the Sabbath. But Paul would also have met there any other days when they were open, as was evidenced already with the synagogue in Berea.

Second, the Book of Acts is a descriptive account of what occurred. It does not prescribe anything. As this is so, it is an illegal move in hermeneutics to impose a standard on believers based on what is recorded there. It is true that one can determine from some accounts what is normative and likely to be continued apart from Acts, but going to the synagogue on the Sabbath, though recorded time and again, cannot be considered a normative practice if that is the only day that the Scriptures can be reasoned over.

Third, and most importantly, Paul clearly refutes this inane argument numerous times in his prescriptive epistles. He does this in Romans 14:5, throughout the book of Galatians, Colossians 2:16-19, etc. If you want proper instruction on what is prescriptive, go to the epistles. If you don’t want to get drawn away into the cult of works, know what is said in those epistles and stay away from Judaizers and Hebrew Roots Movement adherents, along with any others who would impose mandates from the Old Testament Scriptures.

Heavenly Father, You have given us freedom to worship You in spirit and in truth. Please keep us far from those who would put us back under the bondage of legalism and false worship. Thank You that we have an intimate connection with You, anytime and in any place, because we are in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Special floor medallion, Washington State Capitol.

Tuesday, 27 June 2023

So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. Acts 18:3

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, 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 because being of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul found Aquila and Priscilla. Now it records, “And because being of the same trade.”

It is a word found only once in Scripture, homotechnos. One can look at the word and get a sense of its meaning. It signifies being of the same trade or craft. Alfred Edersheim, in his commentary on Jewish social life, noted that Jewish guilds always kept together, whether on the street or in a synagogue. Because of this, he would have easily come upon Aquila and Priscilla. In meeting them, they obviously found each other agreeable, and so “he stayed with them and worked.”

Luke doesn’t dwell on the reason for this, but it is evident that this was their means of living. Paul didn’t sponge off of those he evangelized. Instead, he worked with his own hands. He says as much elsewhere –

“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. ³⁴ Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. ³⁵ I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:33-35

Also –

“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, ⁹ not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 7-10

Paul also refers to his work in 1 Corinthians 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 2:9. His work in this manner should not be surprising as a large number of Jews throughout history have had particular skills that they possessed and worked with. Jesus Himself is noted by the word tektōn, translated by most as a carpenter, but which very well may have indicated a stonemason. As for Paul and Aquila, it next says, “for they were tentmakers by trade.”

The word is skénopoios, and it is also only found here in the New Testament. It comes from skéné, tent, and poieó, to make. As for the work itself, Ellicott says –

“The calling was one which St. Paul had probably learnt and practised in his native city, which was noted then, as now, for the rough goat’s-hair fabrics known to the Romans, from the name of the province, as Cilicium (= sack-cloth). The material was one used for the sails of ships and for tents, and on the whole, though some have supposed that leather was used for the latter, it seems more probable that this was the material which St. Paul worked at. It may be added that Pontus, from which Aquila came, was also famous for the same manufacture, the material in each case being furnished by the goats which fed upon the slopes of the Taurus, and the mountain ranges of that province.”

Vincent’s Word Studies disagrees with this and says, “Not weavers of the goat’s-hair cloth of which tents were made, which could easily be procured at every large town in the Levant, but makers of tents used by shepherds and travellers. It was a trade lightly esteemed and poorly paid.” Even if the job was one looked down on, this did not appear to bother Paul in the least.

Life application: It is common in today’s churches that the pastor is paid entirely by the church. This includes his housing and many other fringe benefits. However, smaller churches may have pastors that might not live very well or who have to work other jobs to pay the bills. But there is nothing wrong with this. If one truly loves preaching, then having an extra job or two throughout the week should be considered a blessing and an honor. As Paul says –

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸ And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8

The idea of working in a trade is not unique to the Christian faith, Maimonides says that “the wise generally practice some of the arts, lest they should be dependent on the charity of others.” Likewise, Vincent’s Word Studies notes, “It was a Rabbinical principle that whoever does not teach his son a trade is as if he brought him up to be a robber. All the Rabbinical authorities in Christ’s time, and later, were working at some trade. Hillel, Paul’s teacher, was a wood-cutter, and his rival, Shammai, a carpenter. It is recorded of one of the celebrated Rabbis that he was in the habit of discoursing to his students from the top of a cask of his own making, which he carried every day to the academy.”

The roots from which the church sprang did not feel it was abasing to do such menial tasks. If Paul could do it and still work tirelessly in the mission field, it should be a badge of honor for pastors, preachers, evangelists, and missionaries to work with their own hands as well.

Lord God, Your word says that in having food and clothing it should be a source of contentment. We may need a dose of this ourselves in a world where we have to have more and more all the time. Help us to be productive, not feeding off of others, and willing to toil to whatever extent is necessary for this to come about. May it be so, to Your glory. Amen.

Super fancy alcove. Washington State Capitol.

Monday, 26 June 2023

And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. Acts 18:2

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, 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, Paul departed Athens and went to Corinth. Now it says, “And he found a certain Jew.”

Rather, being an aorist participle, it reads, “And having found a certain Jew.” Luke is preparing the next thought through the use of the participle. With the knowledge that Paul has come across this individual, Luke next records, “named Aquila.”

Rather than a verb, the word is a noun and would more rightly read, “by name Aquila.” On the name, Ellicott says, “The name presents some interesting associations. Strictly speaking, the Greek form is Ahylas, but this is undoubtedly the transliterated form of the Latin Aquila (= Eagle). The name appears in a yet more altered form in Onkelos, the traditional writer of one of the Targums, or Paraphrases of the Law, then current among the Jews. In Aquila, one of the later translators of the Old Testament into Greek, himself also born in Pontus, and possibly … identical with Onkelos, we get the Greek form again.”

This individual, Aquila, is seen at other points in Paul’s writings as being his friend, such as in Romans 16:3; 2 Timothy 4:19; and 1 Corinthians 16:19. Aquila means Eagle. Despite being a Jew by birth, he became a convert to Christianity. It next says that he was “born in Pontus.”

Being an adjective and a noun, it would most closely be translated as a Pontian native. Pontus was mentioned in Acts 2:9 as one of the locations where the Jews had gathered from while in Jerusalem at Pentecost. Thus, it could be that he was a convert at that time. It was a province of Asia Minor, situated north of Cappadocia. It was bound on the west by Paphlagonia. Together, Pontus and Cappadocia constituted one Roman province. Peter directed one of his epistles to this area in 1 Peter 1:1.

Of Aquila, it next says, “who had recently come from Italy.” Here is an adverb found only this once in Scripture, prosphatós. That comes from the adjective, prosphatos, also found only once in Scripture. That word literally means “freshly killed.” Therefore, in Hebrews 10:20, it describes “‘the new road’ Christ has successfully inaugurated (the NT era) by the sacrifice of Himself.” (HELPS Word Studies). Therefore, this adverb signifies lately or recently.

The reason for his having left Italy will be explained in the next few words. For now, it continues by saying, “with his wife Priscilla.” The name Priscilla is a diminutive form of Prisca. She will be called Prisca in Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 2 Timothy. Prisca is a Latin name meaning Ancient or Longevity.

With these two noted, it next says, “because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome.” Literally, it says, “because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to be separated from Rome.” Of this, the Pulpit Commentary says, “Suetonius mentions the fact, but unfortunately does not say in what year of Claudius’s reign it took place. His account is that, in consequence of frequent disturbances and riots among the Jews at the instigation of Chrestus, Claudius drove them from Rome.”

With that note, scholars then assume that it was because of the spread of Christianity, taking Chrestus as a variant spelling of Christ. In other words, it was because of the new faith in Christ that was being proclaimed. The assumption then is that conflicts arose between the Jews and the Romans as well as between believers and nonbelievers. In order to regain control of the situation, the Jews were expelled from Rome.

This is defended by variant spellings of the name of Christ that has been found elsewhere. Because of this, lengthy commentaries are then written to defend this scenario. This is possible as Aquila and Priscilla were believing Jews. However, these commentaries ignore the words spoken to Paul in Acts 28 – at Rome – which tend to reveal a curiosity by the Jews about Christianity because they had heard about it but were not well-schooled in what it proclaimed.

It seems unlikely that those Jews, having returned to Rome at a later date, would be willing to entertain Paul’s words if they had been kicked out of Rome because of Christianity some years earlier.

What seems likely is that Chrestus was a Jew who stirred up the other Jews for some unknown reason, causing them to be separated from Rome. Regardless of the actual reason for the expulsion, it occurred. Having been expelled from Rome, Aquila and Priscilla left Italy together and Paul found them in Corinth where Luke next records, “and he came to them.

Having found them, he joined with them. The reason for this will be explained in the next verse. It is the start of a new friendship for Paul as he continues his missionary work, establishing the gospel and continuing to develop churches into places of sound doctrine and a right understanding of the work of Jesus Christ.

As for the verse itself, based upon the evaluation of it, a more literal rendering of it would be, “And having found a certain Jew, by name Aquila, a Pontian native, recently having come from Italy, also Priscilla his wife – because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to be separated from Rome – he came to them.”

Life application: Like with the life of Joseph, for whatever reason the Jews were separated from Rome, good came out of what would have otherwise been considered evil to Aquila and Priscilla. Together with Paul, they were able to live and work as they developed their lives in Christ. They will travel to Ephesus with Paul and, as noted above, Paul will refer to them in his epistles, even as late as his second epistle to Timothy.

We may find events that arise in our lives troubling, but later we find out that what happened was actually for a good reason. As believers, this will always be the case, even if we never discover the reason for it in this life. We are sons of God through adoption. As this is so, we must believe that He always has the best in mind for us.

Therefore, when things seem completely upturned and contrary to what we think is best, let us place the matter in the Lord’s hands and faithfully acknowledge that we trust Him to do what is right. In this, we will be demonstrating faith in Him and His intentions for us. It may be difficult to do but let us strive to have this attitude at all times.

Lord God, we know that because of Jesus, You have the very best intention for us. Help us in times of weakness, trouble, and trial, to stand fast on this thought and to remain confident of Your presence in our lives. Thank You that we have a sure and eternal hope because of Jesus. Yes, thank You for Your loving hand upon us. Amen.