ACC ~ Acts 25 v6 - 12

OVERVIEW:

This is Paul’s fourth and penultimate defense speech in Acts. Most of it repeats what has been said before. The difference is that Paul is now in the situation of an official Roman hearing (Festus “took his seat on the tribunal”). Festus appears as one who is learning the advantages of yielding where possible to Jewish wishes. Paul’s rejoinder to his question about being tried in Jerusalem reminds Festus that [Paul] is already standing before the emperor’s agent and then adds pointedly that he has done no wrong as Festus “knows very well.” Finally, Paul makes the momentous move of appealing to Caesar. Commentators are divided at this point as to whether Festus and his council were obliged to send Paul to Rome, since there has been no verdict on the basis of which an appeal could be made. Paul’s appeal, however, is granted and opens the way to Rome. Both Bede and Chrysostom investigate Paul’s intention in appealing to Caesar. Chrysostom does not want his audience to interpret Paul’s initiative as a lack of faith in Christ’s prophecy. Paul did not tempt God by taking futile or unnecessary risks but used available means to protect life (CHRYSOSTOM). Both Fathers find Paul’s intention to be a matter of publicity: trials provide a means of spreading a message, and so Paul, by taking charge, forces the imperial justice system to become the space not where Paul fights for his life but where the gospel becomes known.

25:11 | I Appeal to Caesar

PAUL DOES NOT TEMPT GOD. CHRYSOSTOM: Someone might ask, “Why is it that when [Paul] heard ‘You must testify about me in Rome,’ he did this, as if he did not believe?” God forbid! He did this not because he did not believe but because he believed very strongly, for it would have been the action of one who is tempting God to be bold on account of that declaration, to plunge himself into ten thousand dangers and to say, “Let’s see if God can deliver me even so.” Paul did not do this but made use of all that was in himself, entrusting everything to God. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 51.

TO ROME. BEDE: [Paul] appealed to Caesar and hastened to Rome so that he could pursue [his] preaching longer, and from there, with many believers and crowned by all, he might go to Christ. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 25.11.

25:12 | To Caesar You Shall Go

FOR THE SAKE OF THE PREACHING. CHRYSOSTOM: [Paul] did not say, “I am not worthy of death,” or “I am worthy to be acquitted,” but “I am ready to stand trial before Caesar.” At the same time, remembering the dream, he was all the more confident to appeal. … “When he had conferred with his council,” it says, “[Festus] answered, ‘You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.’” Notice again how his trial is extended, how the plot against him becomes an occasion for preaching, so that with ease and security he is conveyed to Salem, with no plot against him. For it is one thing to simply be there and another to be there for this reason. For this is what made the Jews gather there. Again, [Festus] stays at Jerusalem for some time, to teach us that although time has passed, in no way do the plottings against him succeed, since God does not permit it. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 51.