ACC ~ Acts 28 v7 - 10

OVERVIEW:

This account of the hospitality offered by Publius (probably the leading Roman authority on the island) intrigues moderns, who wonder how he provided for 276 people for three days. Luke’s accent is rather on Paul’s healing activity as part of preaching the gospel (Lk 10:9-10) and the generosity of the people when their visitors left them, which would have been after winter’s end (probably after March 10 of 61). Logically, the notice of this generosity should have followed the mention of the securing of the ship for Rome, but it is a characteristic of Luke’s style to finish one story before starting another. Chrysostom notes the hospitality of Publius as providing the ground for Paul’s continued work of evangelization, which profited his host more than the cost of any of his goods. Bede and Ammonius examine the role of miracles in the life of faith, both concluding that they are initiatory and not something needed for those who already believe.

28:7 | Publius Entertained Hospitably

RIGHT JUDGMENTS. CHRYSOSTOM: Look, even after they were rid of the storm, they did not become negligent, and what a lavish welcome they received because of Paul. For three days they stayed there and everyone of them was well-provided with sustenance. … It was for Paul’s sake that all this took place, so that the prisoners, as well as the soldiers and the centurion, should believe. For even if they were made of stone, from the counsel they heard him give, from the predictions they heard him make, from the miracles they saw him accomplish and from the nourishment they enjoyed because of him, they would have thought him great. See how quickly sound judgment, when it is not overtaken by some emotion, delivers right decisions and discerning verdicts. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 54.

THE PROFIT OF GENEROSITY. CHRYSOSTOM: Behold, again another hospitable man, the rich and wealthy Publius, who had seen nothing but had mercy on them because of their calamity. He received and took care of them. … It is certainly an act of great benevolence to give hospitality to 270 people. Meditate on what a great profit is hospitality: not because there was necessity or because he acted against his will, but because [Publius] considered it a profit, did he give hospitality to them for three days. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 28.7.

28:8 | Healing Publius’s Father

INNER AND OUTER HEALTH. BEDE: Why did [Paul] heal a sick unbeliever by prayer, when he restored Timothy, one of the sick believers, by the art of medicine, and Trophimus, another sick believer, he left entirely? Was it not because this outsider had to be healed by a miracle since he was not inwardly alive, while those who were living with inner health had no need [of healing]? COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 28.8.

28:9 | Others Also Cured

FAITH MAKES MIRACLES SUPERFLUOUS. AMMONIUS: Dysentery is a difficult disease to cure. He, who received healing from Paul, led many to faith. Therefore miracles are mostly performed among and for unbelievers. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 28.9.

28:10 | Presenting Many Gifts

RECEIVING PAUL, THEY MUST ALSO HAVE RECEIVED THE FAITH. CHRYSOSTOM: “They presented,” it says, “many gifts to us.” Not that [Paul] received wages, God forbid, but as it is written, “The worker is worth his keep.” “When we sailed, they put on board whatever we needed.” It is clear that their hosts, who afforded them such hospitality, also received the word of the preaching. For they would not have been treated so kindly for three days had their hosts not believed strongly and shown the fruits of conversion. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 54.