Acts (Written)

Trees.

Tuesday, 10 October 2023

Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. Acts 21:1

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, 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 the NKJV do not logically follow the Greek. It more closely reads, “And it was, at our sailing, having drawn away from them, having run a straight course from them, we came to Cos, and next to Rhodes. From there to Patara” (CG).

In the previous verse, the emotions of those gathered with Paul were described, and then they conducted him to the ship. With that remembered, Chapter 21 begins with, “And it was, at our sailing.”

The word for their setting sail has already been seen in Acts, but as a reminder, it conveys the idea of going up. In essence, the idea is to go up to the sea from the land. On the other hand, the idea of coming to land after a voyage is to go down to the land from the sea. With their departure upon the sea, Luke next records what that departure was like, saying, “having drawn away from them.”

The verb is apospaó. It signifies “away from” and “to draw” as in the drawing of a sword. The sense is that it was as if they were pulled away from those on the shore who were, in essence, still clinging to them. The emotion of the moment is reflected in the choice of words used by Luke. Once they were so drawn away, Luke describes the next three stages of the journey, beginning with, “having run a straight course from them, we came to Cos.”

This is the only time that Cos is mentioned in Scripture. Abarim notes, “It’s unclear where the name Cos originally came from, or even in which language it was conceived. But mythology held that it meant Number or Ratio.” Whatever its meaning, it was a straight run from Miletus to Cos. Luke then says, “and next to Rhodes.”

The name is also found only here in Scripture. It is from the same root as Rhodé, the maidservant noted in Acts 12:13. Thus, the name Rhodes probably means something like Place of the Rose. Finally, Luke records, “From there to Patara.”

Patara is also seen only here in the Bible. It was a town on the coast of the Roman province of Lycia. Abarim says, “The Greek name Patara is a transliteration of the original Lycian name Pttara, which in turn derives from the name of a mountain, namely Mount Patar, which is mentioned in the Hittite Yalburt Inscription, and which [in] turn appears to have been named after the Lycian word for basket, again patar (Lycia – Crossroads of Hittite and Greek Traditions? — Annick Payne).” Hence, they define the name as Basket(s).

Luke’s noting of the ship’s stops informs us that this was the common way of traveling. Ships would go from place to place with their commodities. Travelers would have taken advantage of it, just as Paul and those with him did. For the merchants, goods would have been loaded and unloaded, and possibly even postage might have been conveyed for a fee. Any travelers would also add to their profits.

Ellicott describes the three locations –

“Coos was famous both for its wines and its silk fabrics, of fine and almost transparent tissue; that Rhodes, then famous for its Colossus, was one of the largest and most flourishing islands of the Archipelago, and is memorable for us in later history as connected with the history of the Knights Hospitallers of St. John; that Patara was a harbour on the coast of Lycia. For this harbour the ship in which the travellers had left Troas and Miletus was bound, and they had therefore to look out for another. Happily there was no long delay, and they embarked at once on a merchant-ship bound for Phœnicia.”

Life application: Luke is quite meticulous in his record of the events as they occurred. The particular note of them being drawn away from Miletus shows the difficulty of the departure, but the quick and direct notes about the next three stops relieve that tension as the team gets drawn toward their next goal, which is to be in Jerusalem.

We can look at these events as we look at our own lives. We have connections here that cause us to want to hold on to them. We have family, friends, tasks that we enjoy, and so forth. However, as believers, we also have a heavenly home that is awaiting us.

For the normal course of life, we need to be drawn away from the earthly things and toward the promise of the New Jerusalem. In order for that to happen, God has set our lives to occur in a certain way. As we get older, we are drawn away from certain aspects of life. For example, our bodies no longer allow us to do certain things.

We also experience loss in various ways, drawing us away from other aspects of our lives. For example, we will lose our favorite pets, cherished things in various ways, and even those we love as time goes by.

These things are common to all people. The wise will understand that we must leave this world behind and set a straight course for our heavenly home. Of course, there is a time when this cycle will end, and the rapture will occur. But until that day, we should take our lives and the things that happen here in the context of a greater hope that lies ahead.

Let us not become overly distraught at the changes that occur. Instead, we can cherish the memories while still focusing on the glory that God has promised us in our future, eternal home. We are being drawn away from here to there. It is normal, and we should realize this as we continue along life’s often difficult path.

Glorious Lord God, thank You that a better and permanent home awaits us where we will no longer experience the trials and troubles that we currently face. Slowly, but surely, we are being drawn toward that glorious place. Help us to understand this process from Your perspective and to not fret over the changes we must face in this fallen and woeful world. Amen.

Some bull.

Monday, 9 October 2023

sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship. Acts 20:38

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 translation needs several tweaks to align with the Greek, “agonizing especially over the word that he had spoken, that they are about to see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul knelt and prayed, all of those with him wept freely, and they fell on his neck and kissed him. With that, it now continues with the word “agonizing.”

Most translations simply say, “sorrowing.” However, there are other words that can be translated as merely being sorrowful. This one, odunaó, goes beyond that. It is used here for the last of four times. It signifies torment, acute pain, etc. This can be either physical or mental. HELPS Word Studies says it “literally means ‘go down’ (as the sun in a sunset) and refers to consuming sorrow.” They were agonizing of the moment, “especially over the word that he had spoken.”

Here, the NKJV follows the KJV and incorrectly says, “over the words which he spoke.” Rather, the noun is singular, and the verb is pluperfect. Paul has been speaking words. One particular thing he said is what they are truly agonizing over, and it was a word he had spoken back in verse 25, which is “that they are about to see his face no more.”

They were sure they were in the final moments of their earthly time together with the man who had brought to them the heavenly promise of life in Christ. The weight of the parting was so heavy upon them that they agonized over what it meant. He had always made himself available to them. If they had a question, he was there (or returning there sometime) to answer.

They could tap his mind, they could share in his presence, and they could rejoice with him in the Lord Jesus. This was about to end, and their pain was being magnified with each moment that passed. Therefore, instead of turning and parting from their meeting location, they held on to a few more moments with him. As it says, “And they accompanied him to the ship.”

They would see him off rather than him seeing them off. Their journey back to Ephesus could wait a few more moments because they were the last moments they would ever share together. Of this account, the Pulpit Commentary says –

“It is impossible to part with this most touching narrative, of such exquisite simplicity and beauty, without a parting word of admiration and thankfulness to God for having preserved to his Church this record of apostolic wisdom and faithfulness on the one hand, and of loving devotion of the clergy to their great chief on the other. As long as the stones of the Church are bound together by such strong mortar, it can defy the attacks of its enemies from without.”

Life application: If you knew this was the last moment you would share with someone you love, would you take an extra moment to hug, say words of care, letting him or her know how you feel about their presence? The fact is that you never truly know when it will be the last time you will see that person.

Therefore, it is right to consider each person you care about, and be tender and gentle to them at all times. Life is short, and each person we meet will perish in time. Or we may be the one who goes first. Hold fast to this thought and let it guide your steps, knowing that the time of departure is at hand.

And how much more should we consider this with those who have not called on Jesus. Be sure to tell them about the hope you possess and pray for them as well. It’s important. Eternity is forever, but this life is a passing vapor.

O God, give us wisdom to live our days rightly, redeeming the time and understanding the brevity of our walk before You. Help us to consider this and to conduct our affairs properly before You all our days. May our end not be one of regret, but of satisfied happiness that we have lived our lives well before You. Amen.

Loads of Bull.

Sunday, 8 October 2023

Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, Acts 20:37

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 more literally rendered, “And there was much weeping of all, and having fallen upon the neck of Paul, they were kissing him” (CG).

Paul had just knelt and prayed with those he was with. Now, as their time together is quickly coming to a close, it says, “And there was much weeping of all.”

The true depth of their friendship is readily apparent from the words. Rather than a humorous salutation and hearty laughter, they were emotionally distraught at the coming separation. This mourning next brought them to physical embracing, as it says, “and having fallen upon the neck of Paul.”

Instead of happy, non-serious noogies, they embraced Paul as if they didn’t want him to leave, holding onto his neck. And more, “they were kissing him.”

The Greek word is a compound verb kataphileo. It thus made a grandiose salutation, reflecting great sorrow. Helps word study defines the verb as to “kiss passionately and fervently.” This was the moment that would separate them and they wanted the affection they bore for him to be remembered forever. The same verb is used in Luke 7 when the sinful woman went to Jesus and repeatedly kissed His feet and washed them with her tears.

Life application: It is still quite common for people to attempt to stoically face emotional situations. This is not the usual way things occurred in Scripture. Time and again, people are presented as conveying great levels of emotion.

Although false, ostentatious displays of emotion are a bit nauseating to deal with, there is nothing wrong with people openly showing the feelings they possess. It is a good release for the things that are often bottled up within us. Above all, God is the One who created us, so if you need to let out your emotions, He will understand. If they are positive emotions of joy, love, and awe, He will certainly appreciate them as well.

Lord God, You are worthy of all of our joy, praise, love, and devotion. Today, we praise You for who You are and for the magnificence of Your splendid glory. Dwell in our praises, O God. Amen.

A lot of bull.

Saturday, 7 October 2023

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Acts 20:36

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 more literally rendered, “And having said these things, having bowed his knees, he prayed with them all” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul reminded those with him as to why he worked providing for himself and others, quoting the Lord about it being more blessed to give than receive. With that, his words of encouragement and admonishment are done. Therefore, it next says, “And having said these things.”

It is Luke’s way of noting that the words of Paul are complete and that a new action or direction is forthcoming. For Paul, the next logical thing to do is to commit those he loved to the Lord. And so, it next says, “having bowed his knees.”

A bowed or even prostrate position indicates humility, be it before God or man. Once bowed, and it is assumed that the others bowed with him, it next says, “he prayed with them all.” The words of the prayer are left out of the narrative. They were spoken for the moment, were private, and were obviously not intended as a prayer to be used repetitively in the future.

Paul felt it was right to close in prayer. Likewise, when our heart is full, we should simply let our prayers come out in a manner appropriate to the situation.

Life application: Prayer is mentioned throughout the Bible. There are many types of prayer as well, such as supplication, praise, petition, vindication, triumph, imprecation, etc. Each has its own place. One of the things about prayer is that there is no set manner in which it is to be accomplished, but they are to be made.

It is not uncommon for people to pray for extended periods of time and to begin to question whether their prayers are even heard. Someone may say, “I prayed for my neighbor’s cancer for three years, and he died anyway. What is the point if the prayer isn’t heard.”

If the person who is praying is a believer, the prayers are heard. Jesus is our Mediator to bring them before God. It is God’s right to respond according to His wisdom. If He answered every prayer brought before Him in the way we wanted, there would be chaos. We are to have faith that God has received our prayers and that He will bring about the best end for all things presented before him.

Paul says to pray without ceasing. Lift up your burdens, joys, cares, etc., to the throne of God. Have faith that He is working according to a plan we cannot even imagine, and it will come to the best end for His people. Pray!

Heavenly Father, we know that because of Jesus, we have a right to come before You in prayer, boldly asking for those things that are upon our hearts. But we also know that what we want may not be the best avenue or result in the best outcome. So, Lord God, we commit our prayers to You and thank You that You are handling each with a wisdom that we cannot even comprehend. How great You are, O God. Amen.

Truck pulling non-truck truck.

Friday, 6 October 2023

“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 20:35

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).

Paul just noted that his hands had provided for his necessities as well as for those with him. He now explains why he has done this, saying, “I have shown you in every way.”

The verb Paul uses is seen for the last of six times, hupodeiknumi. It signifies showing by tracing out, or by example. Luke, citing Jesus, uses it in Luke 6:47 –

“Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: ⁴⁸ He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. ⁴⁹ But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:47-49

Jesus made the statement and then followed up with an example of what He meant. This is the sense of Paul’s words. He demonstrated by the example of his own actions, having endeavored by his conduct – and not only his spoken or written words – to set forth an example for others. With that, he continues, saying, “by laboring like this, that you must support the weak.”

Rather than an adjective, weak, he uses a present participle, “support those being weak [or ailing].” The word signifies diseased, sick, impotent, etc. Paul also uses both its adjective and verb form in the sense of moral weakness as well –

“However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak [adj.], is defiled. ⁸ But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
⁹ But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak [adj.]. ¹⁰ For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak [adj.] be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? ¹¹ And because of your knowledge shall the weak [vb.] brother perish, for whom Christ died? ¹² But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak [vb.] conscience, you sin against Christ. ¹³ Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” 1 Corinthians 8:7-13

Those Paul refers to are ailing in their consciences. This is ultimately derived from a lack of knowledge, but it is the state of weakness that is being focused on. Therefore, like one who is physically weak, a person who is struggling with his conscience is to be assisted.

The cause of the weakness, how to cure it, is up to the one who is weak to seek a cure. A person with the flu should go to the doctor and then get rest. A person with poor doctrine should get to Bible class and then apply it to his walk.

Again, as stated before, Paul has endeavored by his conduct, and not only his spoken or written words, to set forth an example for others. The purpose of his actions was for the support of the weak, meaning those who were incapable of taking care of themselves – most especially through bodily infirmity, which is how the word is generally used. Next, Paul introduces the basis for such conduct, beginning with, “And remember the words of the Lord Jesus.”

He will cite the words of the Lord to justify both his conduct and how his example should then be followed by those who have seen him. Jesus made a statement that was obviously well-known, maybe having been occasionally repeated by Paul. This can be inferred because he is asking these men to recall them now. Thus, Paul continues, “that He said.”

Rather, the words are emphatic, “that He Himself said.” Paul is directly attributing the thought he will speak to the Lord Jesus, which is, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

The thought forms the only recorded saying of the Lord of this kind. Other words attributed to the Lord are those he quoted or that were repeated, but these words are not recorded elsewhere. Thus, they are known as an agraphon (not written). It refers to a saying attributed to Jesus, but which is not recorded in the gospels.

There is a blessing in giving that cannot be experienced or attained otherwise. Jesus set the example for us to consider. He possessed all things and yet He took on human flesh and dwelt among us. He gave of Himself to those who were ailing, both physically and spiritually. He did this, even to the point of death, so that our healing could be permanent before God. Paul cites the words of the Lord because they carry the substance of what Christ did for him and indeed for all.

Life application: The words of this verse cannot be used to justify wealth redistribution to those who sit around on their otherwise fully capable hands. They are not even implied in what is said. The ailing refers to those who are incapable of tending to their own needs at a particular time.

If one is lying in bed with a fever, he needs to be tended to until he is better. When one has a weak conscience, he needs to be accommodated until his conscience is firmed up. However, when the fever is gone, it is time to get out of bed and get back into the game. When one has been shown what is proper concerning sound doctrine, it is time he applies it to his life, no longer burdening those who have instructed him.

This can be applied to salvation as well. Jesus came to heal the ailing. He accomplished His work, and that healing is available. Now, we are expected to accept His cure and be healed. For those who are simply slackers, Paul’s words of 2 Thessalonians 3:10 apply –

“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”

It is inexcusable to pander to those who are unwilling to apply proper doctrine to their lives. It is also inexcusable to fund those who are unwilling to get up and work with the abilities granted to them by God.

For those who refuse to come to Jesus, for those who fail to progress in their walk, or for those who refuse to feed themselves, Paul continues his thoughts to those in Thessalonica. They are words being spoken to believers about their walk, but they are words that carry the same truth in any such situation –

“And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15

Pandering to those who are able solves nothing. It merely enables them to continue in their unhealthy state. Refuse this attitude to shame them. This is not a cold and uncaring approach. Rather, it is exactly the opposite. Harm to people’s basic humanness is the inevitable result of such indulging.

Lord God, help us to be helpers! May we be willing to assist those who are unable to tend to themselves. But give us discernment to know when we are merely accommodating others who do not need such attention. Give us wisdom in this so that we will properly handle our relationships with those truly in need. Amen.