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Acts Chapter Twenty-eight

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

Paul’s Witness on the Way and in Rome

I.  The witness in the island which was called Melita:

  A. Paul was bit by a viper and no harm came to him (v.1-6).

  B. Paul healed the father of the leading citizen of the island and others who had diseases (v.7-10).

II. They changed the boat and arrived at Rome safely and he was met by brothers (v.11-15).

III. Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him (v.16).

IV. Paul confessed and preached to the Jewish leaders:

  A. He called the leaders of the Jews together and told them all the details (v.17-20):

1. he had done nothing against his people or the customs of his fathers;

2. The result of the trial showed that there was no cause for putting him to death;

3. he was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that he had anything of which to accuse his nation;

4. for the hope of Israel he was bound with this chain.

  B. They answered that they had not received letters from Judea and they desired to hear from Paul (v.21-22).

  C. When they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained the kingdom of God (v.23).

  D. Some were persuaded and some disbelieved and they departed (v.24-25a).

  E. Paul explained that the salvation was turned to the Gentiles through the words of Isaiah the prophet (v.25b-29).

V. Paul dwelt two whole years in Rome and preached the kingdom of God to all who came to him (v.30-31).

II. Verse by Verse commentary              

 

Acts. 28:1 “Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.

   YLT: “And having been saved, then they knew that the island is called Melita,”

   Meaning of Words: Malta”: refuge, honey.

   Literal Meaning: Now when they had escaped” “Escaped” indicates that their life was kept (See the note in Acts. 27:44).

  “They then found out that the island was called Malta” “Malta” was a small island that was about more than eighty kilometers in the south of Sicily the Italian Island and today it was called “Malta”. And now it was an independent country and at that time it was subordinate to the province of Sicily.

   Enlightenment in the Word: Jehovah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; God is my rock, in him will I trust------my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior (2Sam. 22:2-3).

 

Acts. 28:2 “And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.

   YLT: “and the foreigners were shewing us no ordinary kindness, for having kindled a fire, they received us all, because of the pressing rain, and because of the cold;”

   Meaning of Words: the natives”: barbarians; “unusual kindness”: kindness, friendliness.

   Literal Meaning: And the natives showed us unusual kindness” “The natives” has two meanings: 1) the uncivilized ones; 2) those who were not educated by the Greek or Roman culture and were unable to speak Greek or Latin. Here the second meaning of “the natives” should be more reasonable. And therefore in some English versions they were called “the aborigines”. The residents in the island were the descendants of the Phoenicians and they spoke Punic. They had been civilized to a certain degree in their life style and they were not the uneducated barbarian tribe.

  “Because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold” At that time it may be in the end of October or in the beginning of November. It was in the cold winter and the storm had just passed.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Jews in Jerusalem desired to put Paul to death, however, the natives in Malta received him warmly. It shows that the rigid orthodoxy is more terrible than the backward civilization. We should fear the rigidness of faith more than the incivilization.

2) Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Heb. 13:2).

 

Acts. 28:3 “But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

   YLT: “but Paul having gathered together a quantity of sticks, and having laid [them] upon the fire, a viper -- out of the heat having come -- did fasten on his hand.”

   Meaning of Words: “fastened on”: clamp unto.

   Literal Meaning: a viper” It is said that there is not viper in Malta the island now. And therefore many Bible exegetes were not sure whether it was poisonous. Actually according to the reaction of the natives in the island (See v.4-6), the snake must be poisonous because if they knew that there wasn’t poisonous snake in the island, they would not have such astonishing reaction. And therefore probably vipers hid in the goods of the boat or hibernated in the driftwoods and secretly entered the island before that, however, because of their small quantity they were wiped out by the residents in the island.

  “A viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand” Concerning Paul’s being fastened on by a viper, we were persuaded that it was of the will of God so that the first moment Paul stepped on Malta the island, he drew the attention of all the people in the island.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) From the matter that Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, we could see that the one who is truly of Spirit will neither disdain to do the petty things nor sit there still and wait to be served by those who are around him.

2) Working diligently is the duty that everyone should do when living in the world. If any would not work, neither should he eat (2Thess. 3:10).

3) There is not the relative importance of work: gathering a bundle of sticks, preaching and healing are equally important. Only the unimportant ones would haggle over the work and reject to do the petty things.

4) The viper “fasted on his hand”; Satan tries its best to fast on our hands so that we cannot serve God.

5) The devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour (1Pet. 5:8), however, those who are truly of God won’t be swallowed up even if their hands are fastened on (See v.5).

6) “Warming” symbolizes seeking the warm of the earth and men. When Peter warmed himself, he was bit by the old snake------Satan and he was offended and even was afraid of confessing the Lord (Mark. 14:66-72). Peter was bit by a viper in order to warm himself and fortunately he suffered no harm (See v.5) by the Lord’s power of resurrection (Mark. 16:18). It shows that when we testify the Lord and suffer desolation, we should never seek the warm of the earth and men, lest we let the devil take the opportunity to harm us.

 

Acts. 28:4 “So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.’”

   YLT: “And when the foreigners saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said unto one another, `Certainly this man is a murderer, whom, having been saved out of the sea, the justice did not suffer to live;'”

   Meaning of Words: “the creature”: beast; “justice”: righteousness, punishment, vengeance.

   Literal Meaning: when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand” “Hanging from his hand” could also be that the viper winded his hand and it means that the viper not only bit him but also winded him seriously.

  No doubt this man is a murderer” The natives saw that Paul was guarded by soldiers and therefore knew that he was one of the prisoners and they had such conjecture.

  “Yet justice does not allow to live” “Justice” in the original refers to the goddess who took charge of justice and vengeance in the Greek myth. The natives may believe in another similar god and held that Paul’s being bit was the heavenly punishment.

 

Acts. 28:5 “But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

   YLT: “he then, indeed, having shaken off the beast into the fire, suffered no evil,”

   Meaning of Words: “the creature”: beast.

 

Acts. 28:6 “However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

   YLT: “and they were expecting him to be about to be inflamed, or to fall down suddenly dead, and they, expecting [it] a long time, and seeing nothing uncommon happening to him, changing [their] minds, said he was a god.”

   Literal Meaning: they were expecting that he would swell up” “Swelling up” is the medical term for inflammation. Only Luke used this word in the New Testament.

  “He was a god” Please note that Luke recorded this sentence not to exalt Paul (See Acts. 14:11) but to criticize the superstition of the natives. Some Bible exegetes wrongly quoted this sentence to prove that Christian us “a god”.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) In the superstitious religious faith, “men” are always treated as “god”. However, the basic faith of Christianity is to know men’s nature of corruption and then turn to the only “true God” (See Acts. 14:11-15).

2) Men are “men” and could never become “god”. All beliefs in which “men becoming god” or “men calling themselves god” are advocated are the heretic beliefs from Satan (See 2Thess. 2:3-4; 1Cor. 8:4-5).

3) Men are capricious. They held that one was guilty of the most heinous crimes in a moment (See v.4) and they “changed their mind” and thought he was “a god” in another moment. Today there are some people in the church who flatter you in one moment and cheapen you in another moment. And therefore we do not need to care about others’ judgment too much and we should care about how God judges us (1Cor. 4:3-5).

4) Apparently Paul was a prisoner, however, he was of God inwardly because God is in him. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh (2Cor. 5:16).

5) All those who judge things only by the outward smooth-going of things are the spiritual “natives”. Their sight is the “earthly” sight. May we all have the spiritual and surpassing sight to discern all things (See 1Cor. 2:15).

 

Acts. 28:7 “In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.

   YLT: “And in the neighbourhood of that place were lands of the principal man of the island, by name Publius, who, having received us, three days did courteously lodge [us];”

   Meaning of Words: the leading citizen of the island”: the chief one in the island, the one of the first importance in the island; “Publius”: enjoying great popularity, being loved by others.

   Literal Meaning: an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius” “Publius” was a Roman name and probably he was the administrative officer who was accredited by the Roman Empire to that island.

  “Who received us” “Us” here included both Paul and Luke and all the people in the ship.

 

Acts. 28:8 “And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.

   YLT: “and it came to pass, the father of Publius with feverish heats and dysentery pressed, was laid, unto whom Paul having entered, and having prayed, having laid [his] hands on him, healed him;”

   Literal Meaning: the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery” “A fever” was a popular enterogastritis in that island and it was brought about by the microorganisms in the milk of goat that was made in the island.

  And he laid his hands on him and healed him” “Healing him” in the original means “curing”. Today the Charismatic people like using this word in the matters of God’s healing.

    Paul the apostle was bit by the viper and suffered no harm (See v.5). Here he laid hands on the sick one and he was healed. Upon Paul, the Lord’s announcement that He made after His resurrection (Mark. 16:17-18) was fully proved.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) He entertained them for three days (See v.7) and then his father was healed. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (Gal. 6:9).

2) Though we Christians do not have the gift of healing, we should stretch out our hands with mercy and pray for all those who suffer the pain of sickness (including the sickness of body and soul).

 

Acts. 28:9 “So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

   YLT: “this, therefore, being done, the others also in the island having infirmities were coming and were healed;”

   Literal Meaning: “were healed” Here it is the medical term in the original and it was different from “healing” in v.8. It means healing by medical skills and medicines. From this we could know that Luke the author of this book may partake in this service (See the note of “us” in v.10).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Paul became the blessing of all the people in the ship on the voyage (Act. 27:24). And now in the Malta Island, he became the blessing of all the people in the island. Wherever Christians are, we should be the channels of the heavenly blessing and bring blessing to those who are around us.

2) Wherever Paul arrived, he could find the objects that he could serve and preach to. We Christians should prepare ourselves so that we shall be able to give help to the needy at all times.

3) Today some people who advocated God’s healing excessively held that believers should not receive the cure of medicine and should look upon God’s healing by faith. Actually v.8 and v.9 tell us that there are at least two kinds of services of healing: Paul served by wonders and Luke served by medicines.

 

Acts. 28:10 “They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

   YLT: “who also with many honours did honour us, and we setting sail -- they were lading [us] with the things that were necessary.”

   Meaning of Words: “many”: abundant, great, much; “honor”: respect, value, esteem.

   Literal Meaning: They also honored us in many ways” “Honor” and “honor” (1Tim. 5:17) are the same in the original and it implies “money paid”. And therefore “honored in many ways” means that they not only showed their honor but also gave them various kinds of gifts and articles for daily use. Undoubtedly “us” included Luke the author of this book who was a physician and his medical skill was used to heal the sick ones.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Christians should help others with the intention of not seeking repayment, however, helping others is to help ourselves------when we benefit others, we gain benefits unconsciously.

2) Those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel (1Cor. 9:14). Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor (1Tim. 5:17).

 

Acts. 28:11 “After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.

   YLT: “And after three months, we set sail in a ship (that had wintered in the isle) of Alexandria, with the sign Dioscuri,”

   Meaning of Words: Alexandrian”: protector of men; “the Twin Brothers”: the sons of Jupiter.

   Literal Meaning: “After three months” The weather is not good in winter and the boats are not allowed to sail in the sea and the season of voyage begins again till the third part of February or the beginning of March. And therefore they were compelled to stay in the island for such a long time.

  “We sailed in an Alexandrian ship” “An Alexandrian ship” probably was also a boat that transporting food (See the note in Acts. 27:6).

  “Whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers” At that time, men liked to decorate the bows of the boats that sailed in the Mediterranean Sea with portraits and regarded them as “gods that broke waves”. And “the Twin Brothers” (Castor and Pollux)----the two gods in the legends were the tutelary gods that were loved by men in navigation, just like Mazu that men in Fujian and Taiwan had blind faith in.

 

Acts. 28:12 “And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days.

   YLT: “and having landed at Syracuse, we remained three days,”

   Meaning of Words: Syracuse”: Syria.

   Literal Meaning: And landing at Syracuse” “Syracuse” was the capital of Sicily the Island. It was on the eastern coast of that island and it had two seaports.

 

Acts. 28:13 “From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli,

   YLT: “thence having gone round, we came to Rhegium, and after one day, a south wind having sprung up, the second [day] we came to Puteoli;”

   Meaning of Words: “circle round”: having gone round; “Rhegium”: a breach; “Puteoli”: sulfur spring.

   Literal Meaning: From there we circled round and reached Rhegium” “Circling round” was probably a technical term in the navigation at that time because the road was straight to the north from Syracuse to Rhegium and men did not need to move around. And therefore it could indicate that: 1) the boat changed its direction when it entered or got out of the port; 2) in some versions “circled round” was written as “loosen” which means “throwing off the hawser”.

Rhegium” was in the northern end of Italian peninsula. It was facing off the northeastern corner of Sicilia the Island and it was in an interval of a short strait. Some people said that the shape of Apennine Peninsula was like a boot and Rhegium was in the place of its toe.

  “And the next day we came to Puteoli” “Puteoli” was on the south bank of Naples gulf which was about more than one hundred and twenty kilometers away from the south Rome. It was the second to none seaport in Italy at that time. It was the seaport where the Alexandrian grain ships mainly unloaded cargo.

 

Acts. 28:14 “where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.

   YLT: “where, having found brethren, we were called upon to remain with them seven days, and thus to Rome we came;”

   Meaning of Words: Rome”: strength.

   Literal Meaning: where we found brethren” “Brethren” refer to brothers in the Lord and they are different from brothers in the flesh (See v.17).

  And so we went toward Rome” The word “so” describes the hardships and danger: the tempest, hunger, darkness, wreck, the bite of the viper and etc------that they experienced on the way (Acts. 27:1-28:14). They went toward Rome on such a difficult and dangerous journey.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord Jesus promised Paul Himself that he would bear witness to Him in Rome (Acts. 23:11). It will be just as it was told to Paul (Acts. 27:25). “So” Paul went toward Rome.

2) If the Lord had pointed out the destination to us, even if we experienced various dangers on the way, we shall arrive at the destination. And therefore let us, looking unto Jesus, run with endurance the race that is set before us (Heb. 12:1-2).

3) When bearing witness to the Lord, everything is not smooth, however, He shall guide and protect us by Himself and help us to go through the toughest journey.

 

Acts. 28:15 “And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

   YLT: “and thence, the brethren having heard the things concerning us, came forth to meet us, unto Appii Forum, and Three Taverns -- whom Paul having seen, having given thanks to God, took courage.”

   Meaning of Words: Appii Forum”: the market of Claudius, the market of persuading men; “took”: accept, hold; “courage”: boldness.

   Literal Meaning: when the brethren heard about us” Paul and the group stayed in Puteoli for seven days (See v.14). During this period, brothers in Puteoli brought the message that Paul came to Puteoli to brothers in Rome.

  “They came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns” “Appii Forum” was a commercial town that was about more than sixty kilometers away from Rome. “Three Inns” was an important traffic center which was about more than fifty kilometers away from Rome. These two places were the important stations that men must pass through from the northern end of Italy to the main road of Rome.

  When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage” In other words, Paul was received the courage from brothers. At that time Paul was very sophisticated in the Spirit, however, he still needed the courage from brothers in the Lord. It shows that there is a feature in the spiritual life that the one who has life loves having communion with those who have the same life (1John. 1:3).

    It was three years ago, Paul wrote “the Book of Romans” (See the note in Acts. 23:3) to the Roman Saints. However, he had never reached Rome and he expressed his desire to go to Rome (Rome. 1:13-15; 15:22-24).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) This verse shows that the early Christians laid special stress on “having communion with each other”. Not only the brothers in Rome came to meet Paul from a long way so that Paul took courage from brothers but also the churches in Puteoli and Rome had good relation with each other.

2) We Christians all have the life of God and one of the features of God’s life is that they love having communion with Christians who have the life of God. And therefore we love meetings and do not like solitude.

3) Even if believers like Paul need brothers’ meeting and encouragement, the common Christians need care and help from members more.

 

Acts. 28:16 “Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

   YLT: “And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered up the prisoners to the captain of the barrack, but Paul was suffered to remain by himself, with the soldier guarding him.”

   Literal Meaning: the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard” This sentence is only recorded in a few old handwritten copies. “The captain of the guard” refers to the commander of the bodyguards in the capital city.

  “But Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him” Probably, Festus the governor stated in the letter concerning the matter of delivering Paul that he did nothing deserving of death or chains (See Acts. 25:25-27; 26:31-32). And therefore he was specially treated well: he was not imprisoned with other prisoners and the soldier guarded him, lest he run away.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Paul was specially permitted to dwell in his own rented house with the soldier who guarded him (See v.30) and did not need to be imprisoned with other prisoners. This case again proves that the Lord took care of him in tribulation who suffered for the Lord. 

2) The Lord took care of Paul in the circumstance not for his own ease but to give him convenience to preach the kingdom of God freely (See v.23, 30-31). In like manner, if the Lord treats us well in the circumstance, He intends to use us more. We should not indulge ourselves in ease and ignore the responsibility of serving the Lord.

 

Acts. 28:17And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

   YLT: “And it came to pass after three days, Paul called together those who are the principal men of the Jews, and they having come together, he said unto them: `Men, brethren, I -- having done nothing contrary to the people, or to the customs of the fathers -- a prisoner from Jerusalem, was delivered up to the hands of the Romans;”

   Literal Meaning: Paul called the leaders of the Jews together” The prohibition that the Roman Emperor drove the Jews out of Rome (See Acts. 18:2) had been cancelled before that time. And therefore many Jews returned to Rome and lived there. “The leaders of the Jews” refer to the leaders in the Jewish council and among the people. Every time Paul arrived at a place, he bore witness before the Jews first (Acts. 13:14-16; 14:1; 17:1-2, 10; 18:5, 19; 19:8).

  The word “brethren” has two applications: 1) it is used to call believers who all have God’s life (See v.15); 2) it is used to call fellow citizens who are of the Jewish lineage.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The world always misunderstands Christians and says that “we forget our own origins”: we are unfilial because we do not cry for our parents when they are dead; we do no respect the elders because we do not worship them on bended kneels. But actually the true filial piety does not lie in the outward form but the inward intention.

2) Paul seemed to explain for himself, showing that preachers could explain for themselves if necessary. However, Paul’s explanation is to make preparation for the next time of preaching the gospel (See v.23) instead of caring about his own gain and loss. And therefore our explanation should be for the gospel and witness instead of our own reputation. 

 

Acts. 28:18 “who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.

   YLT: “who, having examined me, were wishing to release [me], because of their being no cause of death in me,”

 

Acts. 28:19 “But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.

   YLT: “and the Jews having spoken against [it], I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar -- not as having anything to accuse my nation of;”

   Literal Meaning: I was compelled to appeal to Caesar” It is regarded by the Jews not patriotic that one appeals to Caesar. And therefore Paul had to explain that it was the way that he was compelled to choose.

  “Not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation” It shows that he was compelled to defend for himself instead of being the accuser.

 

Acts. 28:20 “For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.’”

   YLT: “for this cause, therefore, I called for you to see and to speak with [you], for because of the hope of Israel with this chain I am bound.'”

   Literal Meaning: the hope of Israel” it refers to the coming of the Messiah that the salvation will be brought to Israel (See Acts. 23:6; 24:14-15; 26:6-7).

 

Acts. 28:21 “Then they said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.

   YLT: “And they said unto him, `We did neither receive letters concerning thee from Judea, nor did any one who came of the brethren declare or speak any evil concerning thee,”

   Meaning of Words: “evil”: wickedness.

 

Acts. 28:22 “But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.’”

   YLT: “and we think it good from thee to hear what thou dost think, for, indeed, concerning this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against;'”

   Meaning of Words: “sect”: party, heresy; “be spoken against”: contradict, deny, reject.

 

Acts. 28:23 “So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.

   YLT: “and having appointed him a day, they came, more of them unto him, to the lodging, to whom he was expounding, testifying fully the reign of God, persuading them also of the things concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and the prophets, from morning till evening,”

   Meaning of Words: “explain”: speak, cite, expose; “solemnly testify”: earnestly testify.

   Literal Meaning: both the Law of Moses and the Prophets” refers to quoting from the Old Testament (See Luke. 24:27, 44).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Though Paul was imprisoned, he utilized every environment and chance to preach the gospel. Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season (2Tim. 4:2).

2) Christians preach the truth neither according to our own favor or knowledge nor preaching the social benefits or philosophy. However, we persuade all the people “concerning Jesus from the Bible.

 

Acts. 28:24 “And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

   YLT: “and, some, indeed, were believing the things spoken, and some were not believing.”

   Literal Meaning: some were persuadedand some disbelieved” The tone of “disbelieved” is stronger than the words that they did not receive the gospel and it means the open rejection. Obviously, those who disbelieved were in the majority and therefore Paul said that “the hearts of this people have grown dull” (See v.26-27) and “the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles” (See v.28).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Concerning Paul such a spiritual man with great power, men reacted differently to the gospel that he had preached and even those who disbelieved were in the majority. Our responsibility is to try our best to preach the gospel and we should commit the effect to the Lord.

2) When we preach Christ’s gospel, the effect of two aspects are always brought in, “we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life” (2Cor. 2:15-16).

3) The same message may not bring in the same effort in the hearts of every listener and the reason lies in the intention of listeners (See Matt. 13:19-23). We should pray to the Lord for searching our hearts so that we could receive the spiritual benefits.

4) The best preachers may also encounter failure in bringing men to the Lord. The Lord Jesus was not respected when he preached in His own hometown (Matt. 13:58). Since we know that some people may refuse us we should not faint. It is worthy of our thanksgiving that some people are willing to receive the gospel.

 

Acts. 28:25 “So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

   YLT: “And not being agreed with one another, they were going away, Paul having spoken one word -- `Well did the Holy Spirit speak through Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers,”

   Literal Meaning: The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers” The following words in v.26-27 are quoted from Is. 6:9-10.

 

Acts. 28:26 “saying, Go to this people and say: Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive;

   YLT: “saying, Go on unto this people and say, With hearing ye shall hear, and ye shall not understand, and seeing ye shall see, and ye shall not perceive,”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him (1Cor. 2:14).

2) We have to use the right ears to hear God’s word and use the right eyes to get in touch with the spiritual things. If the ears and eyes in our hearts are wrong, everything shall be in vain.

 

Acts. 28:27 “For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’”

   YLT: “for made gross was the heart of this people, and with the ears they heard heavily, and their eyes they did close, lest they may see with the eyes, and with the heart may understand, and be turned back, and I may heal them.”

   Literal Meaning: For the hearts of this people have grown dull” In Chinese version it is translated into “the hearts of this people are covered by oil” “Oil” was the good thing in the sacrifice and it should be sacrificed to God (See Lev. 3:16). However, they kept it for their own or “their hearts were occupied by good things” and then they were dull to God Himself. The hearts of the Jews were occupied by the Law, ceremonies and letters except God so that they reacted dully to God Himself.

Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed” It indicates that their ears cannot hear God’s voice and their eyes cannot see God’s revelation.

  Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them” “Lest” has two applications: 1) it refers to the hardness of the hearts of those who disbelieved: they were unwilling to listen to God’s words, lest they shall be moved; 2) it refers to God’s misgiving: God does not fear that men repent and turn to Him and He is afraid that men turn to Him from a good thing and may turn to another thing which they themselves regard as better and more spiritual and lay God aside.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Keep thy heart more than anything that is guarded; for out of it are the issues of life (Prov. 4:23).

2) “Oil” is the good thing that men possess. The one who has nothing won’t be proud. Once one has something, he will be proud and pride would make him be unable to see what he lacks.

3) Men’s virtue, advantages, good points, self-righteousness and etc sometimes become men’s hard points that hinder them from receiving God’s grace.

 

Acts. 28:28Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!’”

   YLT: “`Be it known, therefore, to you, that to the nations was sent the salvation of God, these also will hear it;'”

   Meaning of Words: “hear”: hearken, take heed of.

   Enlightenment in the Word: Why did Paul condemn the Jews openly (See v.26-27) and enrage them purposely? Calvin commanded it that, “actually if we want to have peace with God, we have to fight with those who despise Him” (it is translated from the Chinese version).

 

Acts. 28:29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.

   YLT: “and he having said these things, the Jews went away, having much disputation among themselves;”

 

Acts. 28:30 “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,

   YLT: “and Paul remained an entire two years in his own hired [house], and was receiving all those coming in unto him,”

   Meaning of Words: “receive”: welcome, accept.

   Literal Meaning: Paul…in his own rented house” “His own rented house” implies that he paid for the rent. At that time, Paul was bound with this chain (See v.20) and he could not make a living by making tents (See Acts. 18:3; 20:34). And therefore probably he made a living by the gifts and help from churches in various places (See Pill. 2:25; 4:18). In a word, Paul was not imprisoned but dwelled in his rented house with the soldier who guarded him (See v.16).

  “Dwelt two whole years” It shows that Paul waited two years and the case was still unsolved. The reason why so much time was consumed may be: 1) calling the accuser to the Roman court from Jerusalem and the time was delayed on the way; 2) they checked in various places whether Paul actually had stirred up the sedition and betrayed Caesar (Acts. 24:5; 25:8).

It is deduced that Paul wrote the four so-called “prison letters”: Ephesians (See Eph. 3:1; 4:1; 6:20); Philippians (See Pill. 1:7, 14, 17); Colossians (See Col. 4:3, 10, 18) and Philemon (Philem. 1, 9).

Some signs showed that Paul was set free for a short time after these two years: 1) the Acts of the Apostles ended suddenly; 2) Paul disclosed that he was confident that he would be set free shortly (Pill. 2:24; Philem. 22); 3) some details that Paul mentioned in the later “Pastoral Epistles” disagreed with the background that was described in the Acts of the Apostles. And therefore many Bible exegetes deduced that after the Acts of the Apostles, Paul returned to Macedonia, Crete, Nicopolis, Troas, Miletus and other places from Rome to visit the churches (See 1Tim. 1:3; Tit. 1:5; 3:12; 2Tim. 4:13, 20). Probably he was arrested again before he arrived at Ephesus (See Acts. 20:38) and finally he was martyred for the Lord.

  “And received all who came to him” According to Paul’s epistles written in the Roman prison, he had received: 1) the Saints who were sent by churches in various churches and ministered to his need (See Pill. 2:25); 2) all those who came to hear him preaching and even those that were of Caesar's household believed in the Lord (See Pill. 4:22); 3) the prisoners who were also imprisoned with him, including Onesimus who secretly fled to Rome. He was therefore converted (See Philem. 10).

 

Acts. 28:31 “preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

   YLT: “preaching the reign of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness -- unforbidden.”

   Meaning of Words: “with all confidence”: with all boldness, with all freedom, frankly.

   Literal Meaning: preaching the kingdom of God with all confidence” The kingdom of God is one of the important points; the Acts of the Apostles begins with the kingdom of God (Acts. 1:3) and also ends with the kingdom of God.

  “And teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ.” “Teaching” is different from “preaching”. “Preaching” stresses on declaring and spreading and “teaching” stresses on training the disciples. Paul preached the kingdom of God to the world and taught them the things which concern Jesus Christ to the disciples.

  “No one forbidding him” is a single word in the original and it could be translated into “there is no prohibition at all” or “free without any prohibition”. The Acts of the Apostles ends with the cheer of victory.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Men could bind the preachers of Christ, however, they cannot bind the word of Christ. Paul himself once said that “in which I suffer even unto bonds as an evil-doer: but the word of God is not bound” (2Tim. 2:9).

2) God is the supporter of Paul’s preaching working. All men’s opposition and means cannot block the spreading and final triumph of the gospel.

3) The witness of Paul the Apostle in Rome emphasizes on “the kingdom of God”. It should also be the emphasis of the witness of every church.

4) It is mentioned two times in this chapter that Paul preached “the kingdom of God” and then it is recorded that he taught and persuaded men with “the things that concern Jesus Christ” (See v.23). It shows that the word of the kingdom of God must be clarified through Jesus Christ. We cannot live in the reality of the kingdom of God if we do not rely on Jesus Christ. 

5) Jesus Christ is the real content of the kingdom of God. In other words, the true meaning of the kingdom of God is Jesus Christ’s full manifestation in all things.

6) Today, the church is the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Eph. 1:23). In other words, the true spiritual church is the reality of the kingdom of God.

7) “No one forbidding him” in the original could be translated into “there is no prohibition at all”. The gospel cannot be forbidden at all because it is God that opened the door of utterance (See Col. 4:3) and no man can shut the door that He has opened (Rev. 3:8).

8) As long as the witness of Christians is faithful to the kingdom of God and the interpretation of Jesus Christ, the result shall be that: our witness goes smoothly everywhere and there is no prohibition; the king, enemies, prison and chain cannot block it.

9) The limitation of environments is nothing. If men stand in the right position, there will be no prohibition in God’s work. If men stand in the wrong position, men themselves are the block of the Lord’s work.

10) The Acts of the Apostles is a book that does not have an ending. It shows that the risen Lord’s work through the Holy Spirit on the earth does not end and it still continues till today. We, the Lord’s vessels, should have the sense and ambition of partaking in His work. May the Lord use us and do the things that He should do.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

A Fine Example of Preacher

I. His conduct------was worthy of the gospel (See Pill. 1:27):

  A. Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire (v.3)------he did all the great things and trifles by himself.

  B. He shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm (v.5); Paul prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him------he was full of the power of the Holy Spirit by faith.

  C. The father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him (v.8a)------he sympathized others’ sufferings.

  D. Where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days (v.14)------he stressed on the fellowship of the body.

  E. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage (v.15)------he received the provision from members.

  F. I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers (v.17)------he observed all rulers and regulations.

  G. For the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain (v.20)------he suffered for the Lord.

II. The Objects to whom he preached:

  A. Paul called the leaders of the Jews (v.17)------he preached to his own fellow citizens first (See Rom. 1:16).

  B. To the Gentiles (v.28)------he was instructed by the Lord to be the apostle of the Gentiles (Gal. 2:7-8).

  C. He received all who came to him, preaching with all confidence (v.30-31)------all those who seek the truth.

III. The places where he preached:

  A. Many came to Paul at his lodging, to whom he explained (v.23)------the house where he was arrested (See v.16).

  B. In his own rented house…Paul preached with all confidence (v.30-31)------the same as above, i.e. the prison.

IV. The time that he preached:

  A. After three days (v.17)------he was in a tearing hurry. 

  B. They had appointed him a day (v.23a)------in the appointed day.

  C. From morning till evening (v.23b)------he even forgot sleep and food and was very diligent.

  D. Two whole years…preaching with all confidence (v.30-31)------in season, out of season.

V. The way that he preached:

  A. Explaining (v.23b)------expounding.

  B. Testifying (v.23b)------proving with facts.

  C. From both the Law of Moses and the Prophets (v.23b)------quoting from the Bible.

  D. Persuading (v.23c)------convincing earnestly.

  E. Preaching (v.31a)------declaring and spreading.

  F. Teaching (v.31b)------teaching earnestly and tirelessly.

VI. The theme that he preached:

  A. The hope of Israel (v.20).

  B. The salvation of God (v.28).

  C. The kingdom of God (v.23b; 31a).

  D. The things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ (v.23c; 31b).

VII. The burden that he preached:

  A. He was full of love (v.17-20)------his love to his fellow citizens was shown.

  B. He was full of patience (v.23 “explained” in the original means “in detail”).

  C. He was full of zeal (v.23 “testified” in the original means “zealously”).

  D. He was full of sincerity (v.25-28)------he warned them frankly and condemned those who hardened their hearts and disbelieved.

  E. He was full of faith (v.31 “with all confidence” for faith).

 

The Three Obstacles that Christians should Break through

I. Breaking through men’s wrong idea:

  A. Judging one’s goodness and evilness by his circumstances (v.3-4).

  B. Judging one’s identity by his performance (v.5-6).

II. Breaking through men’s slander:

  A. He explained for himself and cleared up all the misunderstandings that may be brought about (v.17-20).

  B. He preached the faith that he kept so that men could understand our faith (v.23).

III. Breaking through men’s obstacle:

  A. He turned the prison to the workshop (v.30).

  B. He preached with all confidence and broke through his own limitation------being timid (v.31).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren