Acts (written)

Another capital done.

Thursday, 18 April 2024

And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. Acts 27:1

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

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

Much more literally, the words read, “And when our sailing away to Italy was decided, they delivered both Paul and certain others, prisoners, to a centurion by name Julius, of the Augustan cohort” (CG).

Chapter 26 ended with the words of Agrippa noting that if Paul had not appealed to Caesar, he could have been released. However, he did appeal, and so Chapter 27 begins with, “And when our sailing away to Italy was decided.”

The narrative includes the first-person pronoun “our.” This connects the account all the way back to Acts 21:17. What we can infer is that Luke was probably there with Paul the entire time that he was in Caesarea. He may have even used this time in the compilation of the Gospel of Luke.

As for the travel to Rome, how the decision to sail was made isn’t explained. It could be that it was cheaper, quicker, safer, requiring less manpower, or for some other reason. Probably it was just the common way of delivering prisoners from this area as it was a seaport.

The fact that other prisoners were on board with him lends itself to the thought of traveling by ship. They could be more easily contained than going by land. The word apopleo is used here. It is from a compound word exactly meaning “sail away.” This is the fourth and last time it is seen. All have been in Acts in connection with Paul’s travels. In preparation for this sailing away, it next says, “they delivered both Paul and certain others, prisoners.”

The word translated as “others,” as in “certain others, prisoners,” is heteros. It means “another of a different kind.” In other words, Paul is singled out from the rest. Translating this as “certain other prisoners,” as the NKJV does, fails to provide any distinction. However, in saying “certain others, prisoners,” it helps the mind consider that there is, in fact, a distinction.

The choice of words used by Luke carries a note of his being conducted to Rome for a different reason than the others. His innocence has already been established, but his appeal made his appearance before Caesar a requirement, regardless of his innocence or guilt. Understanding that, it next says, “to a centurion by name Julius, of the Augustan cohort.”

In the Greek, Luke uses four nouns and an adjective – centurion name Julius cohort Augustan. Therefore, a bit of insertion needs to take place for clarity. Julius is introduced here, and he is noted as a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.

There is much dispute as to exactly what this regiment is. The Greek reads, speirēs Sebastēs, or the cohort of Sebastos.  Sebastos means venerated or august. It is a title of the Roman emperors. Thus, secondarily, it signifies Augustan, imperial. Albert Barnes gives his thought on this band, which is as logical and probable as any other view –

“It was a division in the Roman army consisting of from 400 to 600 men. This was called ‘Augustus’ band’ in honor of the Roman emperor Augustus, and was probably distinguished in some way for the care in enlisting or selecting them. The Augustine cohort or band is mentioned by Suetonius in his Life of Nero, …”

Life application: Bible study is something that doesn’t just have to happen on Wednesday night at church. It can happen right in your own home each day as you pull out a commentary and read it along with the passage you are presently reading in the Bible.

As for Acts 27, there are 44 verses in the chapter. Following along for these 44 days with this commentary will provide insights into the contents of the chapter, the original Greek context of various words, the intent of the author, the life of Paul as he heads to Rome – including getting lost at sea in a great storm and getting shipwrecked on an island – and so much more. After that, Chapter 28 is comprised of just 31 more verses.

Be sure to spend the next 74 days with us as we search out the wonderful words of Scripture concerning the adventures of Paul as he shares the gospel to the Gentile world.

Lord God Almighty, what a wonderful gift Your word is. Thank You for the exciting details of people who have gone before, and of stories of times past, that lead us to a better understanding of Your great work of redemption as it is revealed in and through the Person of Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, Lord, thank You for this precious gift. Amen.

Wisconsin Women’s Memorial. Keeping them barefoot…

Wednesday, 17 April 2024

Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Acts 26:32

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

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

In the previous verse, those gathered after the trial had said, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.” In this verse, it starts, “Then Agrippa said to Festus.”

Festus had asked for advice and an opinion on the matter of Paul. That has now been rendered by Agrippa and it will give Festus the statement he needed to include with Paul’s continued evaluation in the Roman court. The mutually agreed decision was that he was innocent. And more, Agrippa next says, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Paul was innocent and should be walking free at this very moment. That could not yet happen, however. But at least Festus had something to include in the letter that would accompany Paul’s case as it went to Caesar. He could say exactly what Agrippa had stated, thus excusing Paul’s being sent to Rome as a legal technicality based on the appeal to Caesar.

Obviously, the appeal was the right thing to do for several reasons. The first is that it kept Paul from being released and put back in peril of the Jews. Second, it allowed for this very trial of Chapter 26 to have been held. Third, this will now allow for the continued spreading of the gospel along the way to Rome as well as into the areas of Rome by Paul (as will be seen in the next two chapters). Fourth, the trial before Agrippa brought the issue of Christianity to the forefront of the courts in the land of Israel.

No Jew could come forward and accuse the converts of being a subversive heretical sect in a Roman trial. The precedent has thus far been set and the Christian way of faith has found a legal footing in the courts of Rome. It would likewise be found legal in the final court of Caesar.

Any Caesar who came later, and who persecuted the Christians, would be found to be persecuting an established and already accepted faith within the empire. The work of Paul, by the direction of the Lord, ensured that everything was set to proceed in the most marvelous way for the expansion of the faith which is found in Jesus Christ.

Life application: When we see Christians persecuted for their faith, we might ask where the sense in their persecution rests. How could God allow them (or us!) to be treated so shamefully? Although it is a completely different context in which Jesus was speaking, the words remain true in other contexts as well when He said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.”

In the end, if we are saved, it may be troubling, painful, terrifying, and so forth to see Christians persecuted and tortured, but what happens to our bodies is actually very temporary and passing. In the end, the Spirit has given true believers life. They will be raised, and they will be given eternal joy in the presence of the Lord.

Paul is one such example, but the record of faithful martyrs for Christ has continued on unabated for two millennia. Those who truly are to be pitied are those whose faith is misdirected in heretical sects and false religions who die for their faith. They are the ones who will be eternally separated from God.

When a true Christian is persecuted, we can know that their troubles will be temporary and, in the end, he will be vindicated by the Lord who watches over those who are His. Let us take heart in this and remember that God has a plan that is being worked out. Paul’s trials are leading to a furtherance of the gospel. Ours, if they come, will serve their own purpose in meeting God’s plans and purposes.

Heavenly Father, may our lives be used to glorify You at all times, even if suffering comes. Help us to keep our thoughts on what is eternal as we pass through this troubled and fallen world. We have a job to do in sharing the gospel and in being a witness to Your presence in our lives. Be with us and sustain us through our days. Amen.

Wisconsin.

Monday, 15 April 2024

When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; Acts 26:30

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, “And he, having said these, the king arose, and the governor, and Bernice, and those sitting with them” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul had just concluded his words to those gathered in the court. With his words complete, this verse starts with, “And he, having said these.”

These words are not in the Alexandrian text and are thus excluded from modern translations that use that source. Instead, it simply goes to the matter of the rising of the officials. Luke records that, saying, “the king arose, and the governor, and Bernice, and those sitting with them.”

The order of rank is the order in which they rose. First the king, then the governor, then Bernice, wife of the king. After that, all those other less distinguished fellows sitting with them. At the standing of the king, the trial was ended.

As for the final words of Paul from the previous verse, the word desmos, chains, will be used in an ironic manner in just a few more moments.

Life application: There is usually a set order in how such gatherings are conducted. It is not uncommon for someone to come before the arrival of the highest officials and tell others when they should stand, when they should sit, and so forth. This is to maintain a set dignity and to pay honor and respect to whoever is considered the greatest within the gathering.

In Luke 9, Jesus said –

“Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. ⁴⁷ And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, ⁴⁸ and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.” Luke 9:46-48

The world runs by its own standards, and these vary within societies. But it is often the case that Jesus is not on the minds of the leaders. The life of Jesus is one that was of submission. He submitted Himself to the will of His Father. He submitted Himself to a physical human form. He submitted Himself as a baby under the care of fallible parents. He submitted Himself under the authority of the Law of Moses.

He also submitted Himself to the Jewish authorities and even the Roman authorities. This went to such an extreme that He allowed Himself to be beaten, rejected, and crucified. To this day, He implicitly submits Himself to each person who hears the gospel, giving them the opportunity to accept or reject His grace.

He doesn’t force His goodness and His offering of eternal life on anyone. Paul acknowledged this by telling his hearers in this court that he “was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19). In other words, Paul could have retaken the reins of his life, rejecting Jesus.

Jesus, by giving every person the chance to accept or reject Him, has put Himself in the position of least of all. And yet, He is the Creator and Redeemer of humanity. Someday, every person who has made their decision will be judged according to the decision he has made. Paul notes this in Philippians 2 –

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11

The God we serve graciously gives us the choice to live out our lives as we wish. When He sends judgment, it is often to correct us and turn us back to Him. At times, judgment is made final for those who have gone so far that there is no longer a remedy for them. This is true, for example, of the flood of Noah or Sodom and Gomorrah. But even that judgment is a self-inflicted wound.

Consider these things. Consider the goodness of God in Christ. He was willing to suffer for us so that we could be spared what we actually deserve. The great and exalted Lord of lords has done it all. Call out to Him for salvation, and in your salvation be continuously renewed in His goodness. Hooray for Jesus!

Lord God, how difficult it is to admit that we are sinners in need of a Savior. And how incredible is the way in which we are saved. The cross is the ultimate expression of Your goodness to the people of the world. May we cling to the cross all our days as we await the return of our glorious Lord – Jesus. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THRIFT. Wisconsin Capitol.

Sunday, 14 April 2024

And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:29

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 would be, “And Paul said, I would wish to God, also in little and in much, not only you but also all those hearing me this day to become what manner I also am, besides these bonds” (CG).

Agrippa had just responded to Paul concerning what he had heard, saying, “In a little, you persuade me to become a Christian!” With that, Luke next records, “And Paul said, I would wish to God, also in little and in much.”

It is similar to our saying that “in any way, shape, or form.” The NIV assumes it is referring to time. Others take it to mean little and much discourse. Whatever Paul’s exact intent, it was his hope as they listened, they would be converted and become like him.

Further, his response to the king’s words could be either dismissive or a response based on a misunderstanding of what the king’s intent really was. Whatever the king’s intent was, Paul’s was clear. It was Paul’s great desire that what he next says would be realized, which is that “not only you but also all those hearing me this day.”

Paul is speaking to Agrippa, but he is appealing to all in the room who are attending. He was willing to continue to work towards the conversion of anyone who listened and for whatever time it would take. This was his passionate appeal for any and all who heard him “to become what manner I also am.”

Paul says this with the intent that they would be converted to Christ, devote their lives to Him, and be willing to stand before anyone and proclaim what He was willing to proclaim. Despite this, he adds in the carefully selected words, “besides these bonds.”

Paul’s hope was that they could do what he was doing and be like him in his life, but to do so freely and without the constraints that kept him bound and imprisoned. As for his appeal to the people, it is reminiscent of that made by Elijah in 1 Kings 18:21 and also of the words of Jesus in Revelation 3:16.

He desired that the people would not halter between two opinions and not be lukewarm in their zeal, but to believe and to carry that belief into lives of action.

Life application: People need Jesus. Paul was unashamed of his bonds, and he was willing to proclaim Jesus to those who were there to judge him. Whatever they could do to him was inconsequential in relation to what God would reward him with.

He understood that this life is merely a steppingstone to glory. If we could just have this same attitude, we wouldn’t be living as if one foot was here and the other was in heaven. Rather, we would consider that we are already seated in the heavenly realms in Christ. Positionally, it is a done deal. Therefore, what can man do to us?

Let us consider this and be willing to speak out concerning the good news we possess. People need Jesus. Let us tell people about Jesus. Someday, our time to do so will be through. Let us use the day while it is light. May it be so, to the glory of God who has saved us.

Lord God, give us the wisdom to consider our position in Christ and the gumption to then tell others about it. We have been redeemed. We are on the road to eternity with You. Nothing will change that, and so help us to express this to others while we have the time. May we not be slack in doing so. Yes, Lord, give us wisdom in this. Amen.

Marble and stuff. Wisconsin Capitol.

Saturday, 13 April 2024

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Acts 26:28

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 reading is much sparser in content, “And Agrippa to Paul: ‘In a little, you persuade me to become a Christian!’” (CG).

Paul just asked Agrippa if he believed the prophets. He then immediately answered his own question, acknowledging that the king did. With that, a response comes from the king, “And Agrippa to Paul: ‘In a little, you persuade me to become a Christian!’”

Agrippa’s response shows full well that he was aware of the entire situation, exactly as Paul had said. He uses the term “Christian.” So far, it has only been used once, in Acts 11:26, concerning the believers in Antioch, where the term was first used.

That term, however, had obviously become well known enough to become common, even by the king himself. It is believed by some that the term “Christian” is used in a negative sense and only later would it come into a positive one. It is assumed by some scholars that in each of the three times it is used in the Bible, it is stated as a term of derision. It is last used in 1 Peter 4:16.

Regardless of this, though, this is one of the highly debated verses in the Book of Acts. The words are difficult for even the greatest Greek scholars to be adamant about. The KJV inserts a presupposition and says, “…almost you persuade me.” Other versions say, “Do you think in such a short time you can persuade me…?” or “In brief, you are doing your best to persuade me…” One paraphrase says, “…you are making short work of my conversion: you are persuading me to become a Christian as suddenly as you yourself did.” Another scholar, considering the negative connotation of the word “Christian,” paraphrases this, “Thou wilt soon have me one of that despised sect.”

The Pulpit Commentary gives more ideas with these words – “Another difference of opinion is whether the words of Agrippa are to be taken ironically, or sarcastically, or jestingly, or whether they are to be taken seriously, as the words of a man shaken in his convictions and seriously impressed by what he had heard. The whole turn of the narrative seems to favor the latter view. Another view, started by Chrysostom, is that Agrippa used the words in one sense, and St. Paul (mistakenly or advisedly) took them in another.”

Finally, another scholar finds the intent to be, “By your appeal to the prophets you press me hard; you have got me into a corner. I am in a στενοχωρία, a narrow room; ‘I hardly know how to get out of it.’”

Reading all of these and considering each doesn’t get us any closer to knowing exactly what he meant. This includes adding in Paul’s coming response. Normally, it would show exactly what Agrippa was thinking, but as the Pulpit Commentary said, Paul may have simply ignored the response and restated it in order to continue to impress upon Agrippa the surety of his own convictions.

I have given the most literal translation and inserted an exclamation point. This could then be the king’s note of surprised rebuke, a highly dubious sense of questioning, or even an adamant confirmation that he could actually be swayed by Paul. An exclamation point allows for any of these options and more, just as the brevity of the wording does.

Life application: The Bible shows quite clearly that when the gospel is preached and the word is believed, salvation occurs. This is evidenced in Acts 10 at the conversion of Cornelius and those with him. It is also implied in Paul’s words in the following verses –

The gospel: “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4

A response of faith: “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14

We have no idea what Agrippa’s heart accepted. If he believed with his words being a confirmation of that belief, then he was saved. If the record of his life after this is one of never living the way he should, that does not negate that he was saved, and that God sealed him with a guarantee of that salvation.

That is true for every person attending the court at that time. It is God who reads the heart of man. It is God who accepts the faith of a person. And it is God, who cannot err, who seals that person with the seal of the Holy Spirit. If you are fighting against the doctrine of eternal salvation, you are fighting against God’s decision, which He alone has the right to make.

Don’t fight against God. Straighten out your doctrine to align with His word and His will.

Lord God, how faithful You are to Your unfaithful people. May we be sound in our thinking and reasonable in our theology. What You determine is an eternal decree. Help us to understand this and accept it. Your faithfulness is in no way negated by our unfaithfulness. You are the great and covenant-keeping Lord our God. Hallelujah and Amen!