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| 1 And, when we were safely through, then, we knew that the island was called, Melita. |
Island was called Melita – Now called the Island of Malta. R4506:5
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| 2 And, the natives, began to shew us no common philanthropy; for, kindling a fire, they received us all, because of the rain that had set in, and because of the cold. |
Barbarous people – So called because they did not speak Greek, but Phoenician. R4506:6
No little kindness – Yet there is no record that the Apostle or Luke or Aristarchus made any effort to conduct evangelistic meetings among them. The Apostle seemingly knew that they were too degraded to be called with the high calling. R3205:2, 2691:3, 1347:6
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| 3 But, when Paul had gathered a certain lot of firewood into a bundle, and laid it on the fire, a viper, by reason of the heat, coming forth, fastened on his hand. |
Gathered a bundle of sticks – He stood not on any dignity or assumed superiority to be served, but promptly assisted in serving the interests of the entire company. R4506:6
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| 4 And, when the natives saw the brute hanging out from his hand, they began to say, one to another–Doubtless, this man is, a murderer, whom, though brought safely through out of the sea, Justice, hath not suffered, to live. |
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| 5 He, however, shaking of the brute into the fire, suffered no harm; |
Felt no harm – The Lord constantly witnessed with him, by miracles and signs which mightily convinced the people. R1558:5
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| 6 whereas, they, were expecting, that he was about to become inflamed, or to fall down suddenly dead;–but, when they had been long expecting, and had observed, nothing unusual, happening unto him, they changed their minds, and began to say he was a god. |
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| 7 Now, in the neighbourhood of that place, were lands, belonging to the chief man of the island, by name Publius,–who, making us welcome, for three days, hospitably entertained us. |
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| 8 And it so happened that, the father of Publius, with feverish heats and dysentery distressed, was lying prostrate: unto whom Paul entering in and praying, laid his hands on him, and healed him. |
Healed him – The Apostle Paul healed the multitudes, but did not cure himself. R1689:4
Although so far as we have any information the Apostle did not attempt to preach the Gospel message. Evidently he did not consider them to be "good ground." R4507:1
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| 9 And, when this happened, the rest also, even they in the island who were sick, were coming in and getting cured; |
Which had diseases – He sent napkins and handkerchiefs to the diseased, but when the consecrated were sick he sent none to them. R1689:4
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| 10 who also, with many honours, honoured us, and, when we were about to sail, put on board such things as we might need. |
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| 11 And, after three months, we sailed in a ship which had wintered in the island, [a ship] of Alexandria, whose ensign was The Twin Brothers; |
After three months – Early in the spring of AD 60. R4507:1
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| 12 and, touching at Syracuse, we tarried three days; |
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| 13 whence, going round, we reached Rhegium; and, after one day, a south wind springing up, on the second day, we came to Puteoli; |
Puteoli – The Bay of Naples, the seaport of Rome, which is 150 miles inland. R4507:1
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| 14 where, finding brethren, we were entreated to tarry, with them, seven days;–and, thus, towards Rome, we came. |
With them seven days – The Centurion awaiting orders from Rome respecting the disposal of his prisoners. R4507:1
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| 15 And, when from thence the brethren heard the tidings concerning us, they came to meet us, as far as The Market of Appius and the Three Taverns–seeing whom, Paul thanked God, and took courage. |
They came to meet us – The welcome faces of brethren. R1570:1
Paul had a considerable number of kinsmen and acquaintances in Rome, the number was at least over thirty two (Rom. 16:1-5). These visited him speed R3208:3
Appii forum – 43 miles distant from Rome. R4507:2
The three taverns – 30 miles from the great city. R4507:2
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| 16 And, when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself, with the soldier that guarded him. |
Rome – The very center of influence at that time. R3208:5
Captain of the guard – Julius, who is supposed to have been the prefect of the Praetorium, a man of good repute. R3208:5
But Paul – As result of Festus' letter to Caesar and the favorable impression the Apostle made upon the centurion in connection with the shipwreck. R3208:1
With a soldier – A guard, changed every few hours, to whom the Apostle was constantly chained. Probably a considerable number of the garrison had personal contact with the Apostle. R3208:1
That kept him – Many were brought into contact with Christian teachings and example. It is claimed that through these soldiers that the Gospel message was carried to France, Germany and Great Britain. R4507:3, 3208:2
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| 17 And it came to pass, after three days, that he called together those who were the chief of the Jews; and, when they came together, he began to say unto them–I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, as a prisoner, out of Jerusalem, was delivered into the hands of the Romans; |
After three days – The first step, after his arrival and settlement in Rome, was to call together the chief of the Jews in Rome. R1570:1
The Apostle was energetic in seeking to be about the Master's business. R3208:3
The Jews together – At this time there were seven synagogues at Rome. R4507:3
He said unto them – The Apostle did not attempt to preach the Gospel at this first interview, but simply introduced himself and his message and made an appointment for a future meeting. R3209:1, 1570:2
He explained briefly the cause of the opposition of the Jews, the necessity of his appeal to Caesar and the assurance that he had naught to accuse his own nation. R3208:6
Committed nothing – Was not disloyal to his nation or its customs. R4507:4
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| 18 who, indeed, when they had examined me, were minded to set me at liberty, because there was, nothing worthy of death, in me. |
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| 19 But, as the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar,–not as though, against my nation, I had anything to bring by way of accusation. |
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| 20 For this cause, therefore, have I called for you, to see and to speak with you; for, on account of the hope of Israel, this chain, have I about me! |
The hope of Israel – Israel had a hope, and because of his loyalty to Israel and Israel's hope, he suffered imprisonment. R3208:6
It was in the promise of a Messiah and the establishment of his Kingdom. R1570:1
The blessedness promised to that nation, and through it to all the nations of the earth. R1435:4*
Its realization made sure in the resurrection of Christ. R751:2
See also comments on Acts 26:6,7.
Bound with this chain – Under the care of a soldier to whom he was lightly chained. R4507:3, 3208:1
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| 21 And, they, said unto him–We, have neither received letters concerning thee from the Jews, nor hath anyone of the brethren who hath arrived reported or spoken concerning thee, anything ill. |
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| 22 But we deem it well, that, from thee, we should hear what are thine opinions; for, indeed, concerning this sect, it is, known to us, that, everywhere, is it spoken against. |
We desire to hear – They had received no letter or communications injurious to the Apostle, and expressed a desire to hear for themselves what St. Paul had to say, because they knew this sect was spoken against as evil. R4507:4, 3209:1
This sect – The Greek word is airesis, heresy; but modern English definition has been changed. R1130:6, 3792:3,4
The Church of Christ is neither a sect nor an aggregation of sects; it is one and indivisible. It is Christ and all who are united to him. R1576:3, 413:5
This church was a sect itself--a split off from the Jewish church. R538:2
Christians are a separated class--separate from the world--separate from sinners--separate from all others; in that they accept of Jesus, and salvation through his blood. R538:2
There should be no schism or division of this sect; all who are of it should be one. (1 Cor. 12:25) R538:2
Everywhere – Good men and bad men may have both friends and enemies, but it is reserved for the pure Gospel and those who uphold it to be everywhere spoken against. R3209:1, 811:3*
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| 23 And, having arranged with him a day, there came unto him, to the lodging, a larger number; unto whom he proceeded to expound, bearing full witness as to the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and from the prophets,–from morning till evening. |
He expounded – He was ready with all his strong arguments. R1570:2
Showing from the Law and the prophecies that Jesus is the Messiah and that he is now gathering a spiritual seed to be his Kingdom. R4507:5
Showing the types of the Law, the necessity for an antitypical sin-offering and the necessity for an antitypical Prophet, Priest and King, and the predictions of the prophets. R3209:2
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| 24 And, some, indeed, were persuaded by the things that were spoken, whereas, others, disbelieved; |
Some believed not – It is always thus. The truth is a searcher and discerner of hearts and a separator. R4507:6, 3209:2,3
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| 25 and, not being, agreed, among themselves, they began to leave,–Paul having said one thing–Well, did, the Holy Spirit, speak through Isaiah the prophet, unto your fathers, |
Paul had spoken – When some refused the message, he quoted from Isaiah, how God foretold that the majority of the Jews would reject the message. (Isa. 6:9,10) R4507:5
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| 26 saying–Go thy way unto this people, and say–Ye shall, surely hear, and yet will in nowise understand. And, surely see, and yet will in nowise perceive; |
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| 27 For the heart of this people, hath become dense, and, with their ears, heavily, have they heard, and, their eyes, have they closed,–lest once they should see with their eyes, and, with their ears, should hear, and, with their hearts, should understand, and return,–when I would certainly heal them. |
Dull of hearing – Were unworthy of the knowledge and the call. R1347:6
A rebuke which the Lord so frequently applied to the Jews. (Matt. 13:15) R1570:4
Should heal – Greek, iaomai; as in "Pray one for another that ye may be healed." (James 5:16) Has also the significance R4099:3*
Can be applied in a moral or spiritual sense. R4099:5*
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| 28 Be it, known unto you, therefore, that, unto the nations, hath been sent forth this salvation of God: they, will also hear. |
Salvation of God – Another way of expressing the blessedness promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. R1435:4*
Unto the Gentiles – Who should enjoy the privilege of which they had judged themselves unworthy. R1570:4
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| 29 [Absent] |
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| 30 And he abode two whole years in his own hired house, and made welcome all who were coming in unto him,– |
Two whole years – Awaiting the due process of the law--the arrival of witness from Jerusalem, the formulating of charges, etc. R1570:4
His liberty. R1827:4; F672
His own hired house – Apartments. R3208:2
It was here that Paul wrote the epistles to the Philippians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and to Philemon. R3208:5, 1570:5
It is possible that his necessities were met by his friends or that by this time he had inherited considerable patrimony from his father's estate. R3208:2, 2969:1
Implying Paul inherited a patrimony which enabled him to live with numerous conveniences enjoyed at that time only by the wealthy. R4355:2
We should do the Father's will as the necessities of the work may require it, if expedient to have a dwelling place entirely consecrated to his work. R540:6*
Just as we have today, generally small, their usual meeting places were private dwellings or rented upper rooms. R984:2
In no respect did those early associations of gatherings resemble those of Babylon, "mother" or daughters, today. R984:2
All that came in – Those who are kept prisoners at home by family duties, illness, etc., should both pray and expect that the Lord would bring to them such as might be benefitted by their ministries of the truth. R3209:4
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| 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom of speech, without hindrance. |
No man forbidding – But his enemies used this against him, "Hoping to add afflictions" (Phil. 1:16) to his bonds. F672
Following this, tradition says, the Apostle was liberated, and again visited the churches of Asia Minor and Spain, and later came again a prisoner to Rome and was decapitated. R3209:6, 1827:4, 1570:5
Probably during this latter imprisonment Paul wrote his epistles to Timothy and Titus. R3209:6
Paul is summarized as deeply religious, whole-souled, ardent, energetic, persevering, broad-minded, affectionate, loving; a great traveler, author, orator, organizer, missionary, philosopher; a genius, the Moses of the New Testament. R4355:3
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