Author: Charlie Garrett

Seasonal Seafoods, Washington State.

Friday, 5 May 2023

Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. Acts 16:24

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).

In the previous verse, after Paul and Silas were beaten with many stripes, they were thrown into prison and the jailor was told to keep them secure. Now, Luke says, “Having received such a charge.”

It is referring to the jailor. His job was to obey the magistrates without questioning the propriety or impropriety of the situation. If he was told to keep them securely, this is what he was to do. Therefore, “he put them into the inner prison.”

Luke’s noting of this is to highlight the degradation suffered by Paul and Silas at the hands of the people of Philippi. To understand this, one needs to understand the layout of the Roman prison. Of the arrangement of the prisons in the Roman empire, Vincent’s Word Studies quotes Rev. John Henry Newman’s “Callista,” saying: “The state prison was arranged on pretty much one and the same plan through the Roman empire, nay, we may say throughout the ancient world. It was commonly attached to the government buildings, and consisted of two parts. The first was the vestibule, or outward prison, approached from the praetorium, and surrounded by cells opening into it. The prisoners who were confined in these cells had the benefit of the air and light which the hall admitted. From the vestibule there was a passage into the interior prison, called Robur or Lignum, from the beams of wood which were the instruments of confinement, or from the character of its floor. It had no window or outlet except this door, which, when closed, absolutely shut out light and air. This apartment was the place into which Paul and Silas were cast at Philippi. The utter darkness, the heat, and the stench of this miserable place, in which the inmates were confined day and night, is often dwelt upon by the martyrs and their biographers.”

Remembering that Paul and Silas were uncondemned Romans, the treatment would be absolutely insufferable. However, after the terrible beating they received, they were probably in no shape to even talk, much less argue over their treatment. Only after a period of sitting and resting could they muster the strength to hold a conversation. In this tragic state and place, it next records, “and fastened their feet in the stocks.”

The Greek literally reads “upon the wood.” Vincent’s Word Studies notes that it was an instrument of torture having five holes, four for the wrists and ankles and one for the neck. In this case, only the feet are noted as being fastened.

Life application: To get an understanding of what Christians around the world endure regarding punishment and even martyrdom, take time to read the testimonies in the Voice of the Martyrs. They can be read online, and their magazine can be ordered for those in the church to read. The amount of agony and humiliation suffered by believers in the world today is beyond the comprehension of most of those in the church.

And yet, these people are willing to suffer in these ways rather than deny their affiliation with the exalted name of Jesus. Unlike them, churches and denominations in the Western world are filled with people who presume to openly and flippantly violate Scripture. They ignore the doctrines and teachings set forth in the word of God, they claim prosperity and ease, they welcome perversion of every sort, and they gladly follow society as it morally spirals out of control.

Should bearing the title of “Christian” start to cost those who attend such churches, it is unlikely that even a small percent of them would continue to do so. Are you ready to lose everything to be faithful to the title that you claim, that of being a Christian?  Western society is heading in that direction. You should be prepared now to take your stand and hold fast to your faith. It may be that you will have to decide where your allegiances truly reside.

Heavenly Father, help us to stand strong and remain faithful to Jesus through whatever trial or test that may arise. This life is really not that important when we have eternity ahead of us because of what He has done. So, Lord, strengthen us when it is needed. May our lives be faithfully lived out, regardless of the cost we must bear. Amen.

Capitol Rotunda

Thursday, 4 May 2023

And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Acts 16:23

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).

In the previous verse, Paul and Silas had their clothes torn off them and they were beaten with rods. With that, it next says, “And when they had laid many stripes on them.”

The fact that they were Romans was not yet known. It is probable that even if they called out that they were, they had no chance to be heard. The onrush was too sudden and the turmoil because of the rushing crowd was too great. They were manhandled, stripped, and then the lictors came and immediately started beating them with the rods. The description “many stripes” means that there was an enormous number of them.

This can be determined by Paul’s Jewish heritage in relation to what he says in his epistles. First, Paul acknowledges that he was beaten by the Jews with rods in 2 Corinthians 11:41, saying, “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.”

This was the standard punishment under the law where it says –

“If there is a dispute between men, and they come to ^[a]court, that the judges may judge them, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked, ² then it shall be, if the wicked man deserves to be beaten, that the judge will cause him to lie down and be beaten in his presence, according to his guilt, with a certain number of blows. ³ Forty blows he may give him and no more, lest he should exceed this and beat him with many blows above these, and your brother be humiliated in your sight.” Deuteronomy 25:1-3

Normally, to ensure the law was not violated, one less than forty was given. This is why Paul says, “forty stripes minus one.” Though not a part of the law, it was a safeguard to ensure the law was not inadvertently desecrated. In 2 Corinthians 11:23, he noted that he was “in stripes above measure.” His words may be referring to this beating at Philippi which would then mean “above the measure of the law.” That is only an inference, and he may be talking about a cumulative measure over his lifetime. However, he does note this in 1 Thessalonians –

“For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. ² But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.” 1 Thessalonians 2:1, 2

In his words to those in Thessalonica, he is referring to this account in Acts 16. Saying that they “were spitefully treated” is probably his way of conveying two thoughts. The first is that they were Romans and yet were subject to punishments that were not allowed without being first condemned. The second thought is that of what the Law of Moses says concerning being beaten with rods, “lest he should exceed this and beat him with many blows above these, and your brother be humiliated in your sight.”

The Jewish law concerning rods had a reason behind it, which was to avoid shame and humiliation. The Romans had no such law. Therefore, there was no regard to humiliating a fellow human in this manner. Paul’s words to the Thessalonians seem to convey that what Moses forbade, the Romans meted out to him and Silas with glee but also illegally.

With that, Luke next records that “they threw them into prison.” It will be noted in verse 16:33 that the jailer will wash their stripes. This means that not only were they beaten relentlessly, but their wounds were not treated in any manner before being cast into prison.

Though it is unstated, it is unlikely that they received their clothes, meaning their outer garments, back. Such a mob would probably have taken them and torn them to pieces or ran off with them. Hence, the need to wash their stripes would have been even more necessary. Though speculation, it is quite possible. With that, Luke continues, saying, “commanding the jailer to keep them securely.”

The idea here seems twofold. First, though punished, it would ensure that they would not continue to teach their customs any further. Second, it is likely that they were looking for a reason to have an actual trial where they could be subject to further Roman punishment under the law. The jailer was given full charge over them, he was liable to Rome for the security of those under him, and there would be little hope for Paul and Silas to escape either the prison or future punishment.

Life application: What happened to Paul and Silas was unfair according to the laws of Rome. And yet, the Lord allowed it to happen. It is not uncommon for bad things to happen to believers, just as they would happen to anyone in the world. Quite often, this is the case even when they have done nothing wrong.

One of the first things to come out of believes’ mouths at such times is, “Why did God allow this to happen to me?” This assumes that believers should somehow be immune from the evils of the world. But the Bible never speaks in this manner. As long as we are in this world, we are subject to the same evil events that happen to anyone. We may get in an accident, get robbed, lose a child, fall on an escalator and break our back, or one of an infinite number of other tragedies that befall people around the world.

We cannot blame God for such things. It is a fallen world. Our interactions in this world mean that we are subject to the same troubles as anyone else in the world. Our response to such things should be to get closer to the Lord, not distance ourselves from Him. We should long for the home He has promised to us, not dwell in our misery in this place that is not truly our home.

Keep this in mind. Whenever trouble comes, as is sure to occur, we should lean on the Lord even more. Hold fast to the promises that are yet ahead and don’t hold fast to that which is fleeting, fallen, and fading away.

Lord God, please be with us as we walk in this darkened world. Though troubles are sure to come, guide us and remind us of Your presence with us. In this, we will be comforted in our afflictions and able to bear them as we look forward to our true home. Amen.

50MT Nuke ready for launch.

Wednesday, 3 May 2023

Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. Acts 16:22

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, the claim against Paul and Silas was that they taught customs that were not lawful for Romans to receive or observe. Now, Luke continues, saying, “Then the multitude rose up together.”

These words set the tone for what is about to happen. Luke uses a word found only here in the Bible, sunephistémi. It comes from two words signifying “together” and “to set upon.” Hence, we are being told that all who were there listening to the charges against them rose up as one.

Remembering that this is a Roman colony, the people would be zealous to uphold the law that had been broken by rushing to punish the offenders. That is seen in the next words, “against them.”

The entire crowd of Roman citizens came against these “Jews” who had come to bring their illegal influences upon their supposedly superior society. However, in the irony of the day, and much like mob thinking throughout history, they were proceeding to violate the law in their zeal to protect their law. This wasn’t just the common citizens, however. Instead, it next says, “and the magistrates.”

It is those mentioned in verse 16:20 to whom Paul and Silas were first brought to. It is these men who were bound by the law to protect those within their jurisdiction, until a proper trial had been held, who also joined in the moblike attack against Paul and Silas. Of these men, it says they “tore off their clothes.”

Rather, the use of a participle translates as “having torn off their clothes.” The action is taken and awaits the next action in the narrative which is “and commanded them to be beaten with rods.” Here, the verb is imperfect, “and were commanding to beat them with rods.” It wasn’t just one magistrate that called out for it, nor was it a single call.

Instead, the use of the plural verbs indicates that all the magistrates were complicit in the act of tearing off their garments and of calling repeatedly for the lictors to come and beat them. The word rhabdizó is introduced here. It signifies to beat with rods. It will only be seen again in 2 Corinthians 11:25. There, Paul is probably partially referring to this event here in Acts 16 –

“From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods [rhabdizó]; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; ²⁶ in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁷ in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— ²⁸ besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?” 2 Corinthians 11:24-29

Life application: It is often questioned why Paul did not appeal to his Roman citizenship to avoid being punished in this illegal manner. The words of the verse seem to explain the matter. They were brought before the magistrates and were accused as “Jews” (verse 19:20). Luke records the words of accusation and then he notes the onrush of the multitude against Paul and Silas.

The indication is that there was not even time to appeal to the magistrates before the subsequent events took place. They were attacked, had their clothes torn off them, and were beaten. In such an instance, there is little chance of any appeals of Paul and Silas either being heard or listened to. This is especially so with the illegal involvement of the magistrates.

This same type of thing will occur later in Acts while Paul is in Jerusalem. The difference will be that two groups of people will be present, the Jews who would not see reason (like the Romans now in Philippi), and the impartial Romans who were charged with controlling the crowds. As there is only one type of crowd without any impartial restraining force here, Paul and Silas fell to the unjust actions of the crowd.

This is a problem with having law. Unless there is an impartial and reasonable system to regulate it, things will inevitably get out of hand. If those who are charged with upholding the law fail to do so, mob rule will result. If those who are charged with upholding the law participate in violating the law, the rights of those under the law will be ignored.

Both have occurred in the recent past. In 2020, riots throughout the United States were allowed to continue without restraint, bringing destruction, loss, and death to its citizens. In early 2021, the government planted instigators within rallying citizens to foment an uprising. Those citizens, since then, have had no reasonable say in the events that have subsequently transpired.

The point of these examples is that when something curious occurs, like when Paul and Silas are illegally beaten, look to the surrounding text to get a sense of why this is so. Paul and Silas were identified within a Roman colony as “Jews.” In Acts 18:2, it will be noted that all the Jews were commanded to depart from Rome. Here in the Roman colony described, the same prevailing disdain for Jews would arise.

In this case, an entire multitude has arisen as one, the magistrates were there inciting the crowd by tearing off their clothes, and the lictors are being ordered to beat these men by those magistrates. If you wonder why Paul and Silas were beaten, or if you wonder how hundreds of US citizens who did nothing wrong are still sitting in government prisons awaiting trials on charges that came about by events instigated by the government, you will see that nothing changes in the human heart when law is involved.

Man is being taught a lesson in the pages of Scripture. The law, because it is administered by fallible humans, and because it is set forth to regulate fallible humans, is like an enemy to man. What humanity needs is the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Human systems, no matter how well-intentioned, will never produce a perfect society. Thus, we as Christians await our eternal home where righteousness will rule forever and ever. May that day be soon.

Lord God, the world is fallen and broken. Without Your intervention in our affairs, only chaos and death will be the eventual result. This is proven again and again in both Scripture and history. May the day be soon when Your glorious kingdom will rule forever and ever. Yes, may that day be soon. Amen.

I think it was the Pentagon I was trying to get a picture of. Nowadays, we call it Woke Warrior World.

Tuesday, 2 May 2023 

“and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” Acts 16:21

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 and Silas were taken to the magistrates and were accused of exceedingly troubling the city. Now, that continues, saying, “and they teach customs.” Rather, the word is kataggelló. It signifies to openly declare or proclaim.

The missionaries weren’t teaching yet but were proclaiming Christ in anticipation of converts. Hence, they were being charged with open incitement of the people. As for the word “customs,” it is ethos and signifies “an unwritten custom; behavior based on tradition (a habit) fixed by the religious social life of a nation” (Helps Word Studies).

The accusation is shrewdly made. Those who brought Paul and Silas forth did so because they had lost their source of revenue. They didn’t care diddly about what was being proclaimed. Rather, they were vindictively seeking to have the source of their loss punished. By making this accusation, they were making a claim that could be legally applied. With that, their words continue, saying, “which are not lawful for us.”

Again, the thought is mistranslated. The verb is singular. Rather than “are,” it reads, “which it is not lawful for us.” The thought, being presented in the singular, is tied to the next words, “being Romans.”

Being a Roman colony, the worship of the citizens was restricted. Rome normally did not interfere in the private religious practices of the people they subjugated, but they did regulate what Roman citizens could apply to their religious life. Albert Barnes, citing Cicero, says, “No person shall have any separate gods, or new ones; nor shall he privately worship any strange gods, unless they be publicly allowed.”

It is this charge, therefore, that is being levied against Paul and Silas. They were supposedly infecting citizens of Rome by proclaiming something unlawful for Romans “to receive or observe.”

The word “receive” gives the sense of welcoming with personal interest. The word “observe” signifies “to do.” The claim is that those things which could not be entertained by Roman citizens were being proclaimed to have them invited into their regular lives, making them a part of their religious practices.

Life application: The excuse used in this verse is still used constantly by those who reject the gospel. When evangelizing someone, you might be told, “My family would never accept this,” or “My culture is set, and we cannot accept such a teaching.” Such statements are as common as mangos in Malaysia. But they are normally just excuses intended to divert attention away from the main issue.

If the gospel is properly preached, it includes the idea that sin is the problem. When someone hears that Christ died for his sins, it 1) means that he is a sinner, and 2) that Jesus has solved the problem for him.

The first idea is often repugnant to some. “I’m not a sinner.” Some people simply don’t want to admit their state of imperfection. The second idea is often repugnant to others. “I can take care of my own issues so that God will like me.” They may admit having sin, but they also want to be their own savior. To yield oneself to another is to admit that the problem is bigger than the individual can handle.

Either way, the fallback is to ignore or misdirect from the main issue. To do this, the matter is obfuscated by introducing family, social, cultural, or national customs as a reason that they don’t want to continue the conversation. One must be ready to directly address this type of issue if a successful gospel presentation is to come about.

Keep bringing the matter back to the main issue. Until someone realizes that sin is the problem and that he cannot fix it on his own, the matter cannot be resolved. Jesus is the answer. Keep proclaiming Jesus.

Lord God, there is a need in all people for the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood. Without His death, our sin remains unatoned for. There is nothing we can do to make up for our state. When we try, we place ourselves as our own redeemers. That is a sad place to be. Help us to properly explain to people that without Jesus, there is no hope. But with Him, eternal peace in Your presence is to be found. Amen.

Washington Monument in the distance.

Monday, 1 May 2023

And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; Acts 16:20

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 and Silas were dragged into the Agora where the authorities sat. With that, Luke next records, “And they brought them to the magistrates.”

Of the word translated as “magistrates,” Vincent’s Word Studies says –

“Their usual name was duumviri, answering to the consuls of Rome; but they took pride in calling themselves στρατηγοί [strategoi], or praetors, as being a more honorable title. This is the only place in the Acts where Luke applies the term to the rulers of a city.”

Luke’s careful recording of this shows his minute attention to detail. Philippi was a Roman colony. Therefore, it is likely that these were army officers who exercised both military and civil authority. Once brought before these men, they then stated their case, saying, “These men, being Jews.”

This was probably a special poke at them, and it may explain why Luke and Timothy were not nabbed. Though Timothy was circumcised by Paul because his mother was a Jew, he probably looked like any other Gentile in his conduct, dress, and demeanor. Luke was a Gentile. Hence, they would have been overlooked concerning what occurred. But Paul and Silas were Jews.

Around this time, the Jews had been banished from Rome by Emperor Claudius. No distinction between sects of Jews was made. Thus, even though they were followers of Christ, they fell under the greater umbrella of being Jews, as it is even today. As such, a more reliable case could be made against them than if Luke and Timothy were included in the matter. As for the accusation against Paul and Silas, the claim by their accuser is that they “exceedingly trouble our city.”

It is a word found only here in Scripture, ektarassó, coming from ek (out of) and tarassó (to agitate or stir up). Thus, it signifies to exceedingly trouble or agitate. The men are being accused of something leaning towards insurrection as if they wanted everyone agitated to the point where rioting or chaos would ensue. Although that is hardly the case according to the words of Luke, it would be a charge sufficient to get these men tossed into prison.

If Claudius found it acceptable to expel the Jews from Rome, and because this was a Roman colony, it would be simple and expedient to label these Jews as public agitators and have them punished for their perceived wrongdoing.

Life application: The believing Jews at this time were given grief in two directions at once. They received grief from their own countrymen in abundance. But they also received grief from those who found the Jewish people offensive for whatever reason.

Now, two thousand years later, this trend continues. Those Jews who have come to Jesus tend to get grief from their own countrymen at times. But there are many “Christians” who ridiculously reject their conversion as if God has abandoned Israel to the point where Jews are completely cast off from God’s grace.

Obviously, some Jewish converts have taken advantage of the situation by using their Jewishness to heavily profit from the broader Christian faith, claiming they are somehow specialists in Scripture simply because of their Jewish heritage. This becomes problematic for those who point out their faulty doctrine. Suddenly, it is they who are then attacked as if they are antisemites for daring to point out where these Jewish people are wrong.

To avoid such errors in thought, we all need to have at least a basic understanding of critical thinking. But mostly, we should be well-versed in Scripture. If so, we will not be duped by people who claim special insight into Scripture, but who are just opportunists trying to profit off the lack of biblical knowledge of others. At the same time, we can identify those teachers who are sound and stand behind them when they are erroneously accused of something simply because of their culture or heritage.

Lord God, please keep us from making incorrect judgments about people simply because of a particular trait they possess. Help us to evaluate all people based on how they present themselves in whatever subject they are being evaluated on, be it knowledge of Scripture or how they perform their jobs as a plumber or professor. Help us to always consider people fairly. Amen.