ACC ~ Acts 22 v1 - 5

OVERVIEW:

This is the first of Paul’s speeches in his own defense and one of two in which he relates his conversion. This passage includes Paul’s ingratiating introduction, the same as that of Stephen (Acts 7:2), and a brief summary of his career up to the moment of the journey to Damascus. The moderns point out that the high priest in office at this moment is not the same as the one who commissioned Paul. They surmise that he is speaking generally and that some of the council of elders would remember commissioning him. The point is to accent his “zeal for God,” a rather common Old Testament phrase. Chrysostom provides the commentary from the Fathers. He gives close attention to Paul’s self-description, to show how Paul makes himself agreeable to his audience and thus wins their goodwill from the beginning of his defense. Chrysostom shows that Paul’s reverence for the law was demonstrable from the esteem he had for one of its leading teachers, Gamaliel. Chrysostom also sees in Paul’s words, however, more than an attempt to secure a well-disposed audience; Paul stands before them as an accusation of their complacency. Perhaps, Chrysostom sees Paul implying, were you as zealous and devoted as I, you too would be a follower of Jesus.

22:3 | Educated According to the Law

LED TO PREACH THE GOSPEL THROUGH A DIVINE POWER. CHRYSOSTOM: [Paul] shows that great was his zeal for the worship. His native city, great as it was, he left behind, so far away, and chose to be brought up here for the sake of the law. Look how from the beginning he heeded the law. He mentions these things not only to defend himself before them, but also to show that he was led to preach the gospel not by human intention but by divine power. For educated in the way that he was, he could not have changed all at once. For if he were one of the hoi polloi, it might have been possible to imagine this. But since he was one of those who were most bound by the law, it was not likely that he should change without strong necessity. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 47.

PAUL HONORS GAMALIEL. CHRYSOSTOM: He does not just say “in the school of Gamaliel” but “at the feet of Gamaliel.” By these words, he shows his patient endurance, his loving attentiveness, his eagerness to listen and his tremendous reverence for the man. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 22.3.

PAUL’S COMPLIMENTS. CHRYSOSTOM: He does not simply say “the law” but “the law of our fathers.” This shows what type of person he had been, someone not ignorant of the law. Now this seems to be said for the benefit of his audience, but in fact, it is an accusation. For what if, with all his knowledge, he had been negligent? What if you have a thorough knowledge of the law but do not fulfill it? You do not love it, then, do you? [Paul] then states plainly that he was a zealot. So after he has delivered a great encomium about himself, he then extends this praise by adding, “just as all of you are today,” and thus points out that what they are doing is not just for a human purpose but for their zeal for God. By bestowing this favor on them he also captures their understanding from the beginning. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 22.3.

22:4 | I Persecuted the Believers

PAUL’S WITNESSES. CHRYSOSTOM: He brings forward as witnesses the high priest and the elders. On the one hand, [Paul] makes himself their equal when he says, “I being a zealot just as you,” but then he shows through his deeds that he was a greater zealot than they. “I wasn’t waiting around,” he says, “to arrest them, but I was even stirring up the priests and being sent abroad. And I wasn’t after just men, as you are, but I sought out women too, put them in chains and even threw them into prison.” This is irrefutable testimony. His Jewish credentials could not be disputed. Count the witnesses he brings forward: the body of elders, the high priest, those in the city. Note how his defense is not fearful but instructive rather and educational. Had his audience not been stone, they would have given heed to his words. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 22.4-5.

22:5 | Journeyed to Damascus

GOD REWARDS THE BLIND YET EARNEST OF HEART. CHRYSOSTOM: Did you see how by his very experience in these things [Paul] has taught all of us that he deserved to be judged worthy of kindness from above and to be led to the path of truth? When God in his goodness sees a well-disposed soul led astray through ignorance, he does not disregard that soul or give it up to its own great recklessness, but he shows it all the good things that come from him and fails in nothing that pertains to our salvation, if we make ourselves worthy to reap abundantly the benefit of grace from above, as did that blessed apostle. BAPTISMAL INSTRUCTIONS 4.8.