ACC ~ Acts 25 v22 - 27

OVERVIEW:

These verses set the stage for Paul’s final and most complete defense of his life and his call by Jesus Christ which then becomes a preaching of the gospel. And it is at this final point that Luke uses the speech to present the christological climax of his work, speaking of faith in the suffering Messiah. Chrysostom again points out how the Roman legal system provided Paul a voice, how the event is quite grand and even grants Paul greater prestige. But he moves on from Paul’s situation to make a more theological point that true harm comes to the Christian only through the harm he does to himself.

25:22 | I Should Like to Hear Him

NOTHING CAN HARM A CHRISTIAN, UNLESS HE INJURE HIMSELF. CHRYSOSTOM: Do you hear the appeal? Do you hear the plotting of the Jews? Do you hear the strife? All this spurred him on in his desire to hear Paul. Festus pleases him, and so Paul becomes more renowned. For such, as I said, were their designs. If it were not so, none of the rulers would have agreed to listen to him or to have listened with such peace and quiet. He seems to be teaching and defending himself; in fact, he is making a public speech in good order. Therefore let us not consider plots as something difficult to bear, as long as we are not plotting against ourselves. For no one will be able to plot against us; or rather, they will plot, but they will do no harm but instead help us greatly. For it is within our power both to suffer and not to suffer evil. Look, I testify and affirm with a loud voice, more piercing than even the trumpet—and if it were possible, I would not hesitate to ascend on high and shout it out, that none of the human beings who inhabit the earth can harm a Christian. But why do I say “humans”? Not even the demon himself, not the tyrant, not the devil could do this, unless the Christian were to wrong himself. Indeed, whatever anyone does to us, he does it in vain. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 51.

25:23 | Agrippa and Bernice

A GRAND EVENT. CHRYSOSTOM: See what a great audience is gathered around Paul, “With the prominent men,” he says, “of the city.” The governor brought all the bodyguards, and the king and the tribunes were present. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 25.23.

25:25 | Nothing Deserving Death

JUSTICE PROVIDENTIALLY DELAYED. AMMONIUS: The judge himself bears witness to him that he is innocent, and even so he did not free him, since the Lord had so arranged things that he made an appeal, and as a consequence of his appeal he was sent to Rome. In this way, what he had predicted, “I must see Rome,” might be fulfilled. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 25.25.