Month: July 2020

July 27, 2020

The Jewish leaders give a report about Paul (Acts 25:2)

“The chief priests

And the Jewish leaders

Gave Porcius Festus

A report

Against Paul.

They appealed

To Porcius Festus.”

ἐνεφάνισάν τε αὐτῷ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι τῶν Ἰουδαίων κατὰ τοῦ Παύλου, καὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν

The author of Acts indicated that the chief priests (οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς) and the Jewish leaders (καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι τῶν Ἰουδαίων) gave Porcius Festus a report (ἐνεφάνισάν τε αὐτῷ) against Paul (κατὰ τοῦ Παύλου).  They appealed to Festus (καὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτὸν).  Just like they had done before with Governor Felix, the chief priests and the Jewish leaders gave their report against Paul to the new governor with a request.  They wanted to make sure that the new governor knew that they did not like Paul and thought that he was dangerous.  This was their priority.  Do you have enemies who want to get rid of you?

July 27, 2020

Governor Porcius Festus went to Jerusalem (Acts 25:1)

“Three days after

Festus had arrived

In the province,

He went up

From Caesarea

To Jerusalem.”

Φῆστος οὖν ἐπιβὰς τῇ ἐπαρχείῳ μετὰ τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἀνέβη εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ἀπὸ Καισαρίας,

The author of Acts indicated that three days (μετὰ τρεῖς ἡμέρας) after Festus (Φῆστος οὖν) had arrived (ἐπιβὰς) in the province (τῇ ἐπαρχείῳ), he went up (ἀνέβη) from Caesarea (ἀπὸ Καισαρίας) to Jerusalem (εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα).  Acts was the only Greek biblical writing that used this word ἐπαρχείῳ, that means a province.  Three days after Governor Porcius Festus took over Judea in Caesarea, he went down to Jerusalem that was the Jewish capital to see what was going on.  Should a new leader visit his people?

July 27, 2020

Paul was in prison for two years (Acts 24:27)

“After two years had passed,

Felix was succeeded

By Porcius Festus.

Since he wanted

To do the Jews a favor,

Felix left Paul in prison.”

Διετίας δὲ πληρωθείσης ἔλαβεν διάδοχον ὁ Φῆλιξ Πόρκιον Φῆστον· θέλων τε χάριτα καταθέσθαι τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις ὁ Φῆλιξ κατέλιπε τὸν Παῦλον δεδεμένον.

The author of Acts indicated that after two years had passed (Διετίας δὲ πληρωθείσης), Felix (ὁ Φῆλιξ) was succeeded (ἔλαβεν διάδοχον) by Porcius Festus (Πόρκιον Φῆστον).  Since he wanted (θέλων τε) to acquire for himself (καταθέσθαι) the favor (χάριτα) of the Jews (τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις), Felix (ὁ Φῆλιξ) left (κατέλιπε) Paul (τὸν Παῦλον) in prison (δεδεμένον).  Acts was the only Greek biblical writing that used these words διάδοχον, that means a successor, and καταθέσθαι, that means to lay down, deposit a favor, with the view of receiving one in return, or seek favor.  Felix kept Paul imprisoned in Caesarea for two years.  Then he was replaced by Porcius Festus who was the Roman Judean procurator between 59 and 62 CE.  Felix wanted to stay in the good graces of the Jerusalem Jews, so he never issued a verdict about Paul.  Thus, Paul waited for his verdict after the trial of two years ago.  Have you ever waited for someone to make a decision?

July 27, 2020

Felix was looking for a bribe (Acts 24:26)

“At the same time,

Felix hoped

That money

Would be given him

By Paul.

Thus,

He used to send

For Paul very often

To converse with him.”

ἅμα καὶ ἐλπίζων ὅτι χρήματα δοθήσεται αὐτῷ ὑπὸ τοῦ Παύλου· διὸ καὶ πυκνότερον αὐτὸν μεταπεμπόμενος ὡμίλει αὐτῷ.

The author of Acts indicated that at the same time (ἅμα), Felix hoped (καὶ ἐλπίζων) that money (ὅτι χρήματα) would be given to him (δοθήσεται αὐτῷ) by Paul (ὑπὸ τοῦ Παύλου).  Thus, he would send (μεταπεμπόμενος) for Paul very often (διὸ καὶ πυκνότερον αὐτὸν) and then he conversed with him (ὡμίλει αὐτῷ).  Acts was the only Greek biblical writing that used this word μεταπεμπόμενος, that means to call from one place to another, summon, or send for.  Thus, Governor Felix was interested in Paul as a source for a bribe.  He hoped that Paul or one of his friends would pay him to let Paul go.  Thus, he often summoned Paul to talk with him in hopes that Paul would get the hint that the way out of this situation was to give Felix some money.  Have you ever given or taken a bribe?

July 27, 2020

Felix was frightened (Acts 24:25)

“As Paul discussed

Justice,

Self-control,

And the coming judgment,

Felix became frightened.

He said.

‘Go away for the present!

When I have an opportunity

I will summon you.’”

διαλεγομένου δὲ αὐτοῦ περὶ δικαιοσύνης καὶ ἐγκρατείας καὶ τοῦ κρίματος τοῦ μέλλοντος ἔμφοβος γενόμενος ὁ Φῆλιξ ἀπεκρίθη Τὸ νῦν ἔχον πορεύου, καιρὸν δὲ μεταλαβὼν μετακαλέσομαί σε·

The author of Acts indicated that as Paul discussed (διαλεγομένου) justice (περὶ δικαιοσύνης), self-control (καὶ ἐγκρατείας), and the coming judgment (καὶ τοῦ κρίματος τοῦ μέλλοντος) with him (δὲ αὐτοῦ), Felix (ὁ Φῆλιξ) became frightened (ἔμφοβος γενόμενος).  He said (ἀπεκρίθη) to Paul to go away for the present (Τὸ νῦν ἔχον πορεύου), when he had found time or had an opportunity (καιρὸν δὲ μεταλαβὼν), he would summon him (μετακαλέσομαί σε).  Acts was the only Greek biblical writing that used this word μετακαλέσομαί, that means to call from one place to another, summon, or send for.  Paul and Governor Felix seemed to get along until Paul started talking about the demands of Jesus and his followers.  Paul began to discuss justice, self-control, and the coming final judgment.  Then Felix got scarred, as his morality was not that demanding.  Thus, he dismissed Paul and told him that he would find some other time to discuss these matters.  Felix was not that interesting in serious religious discussions.  Do you only have a superficial interest in religion?

July 26, 2020

Felix and his wife listen to Paul talk about Jesus (Acts 24:24)

“Some days later,

Felix came

With his wife Drusilla,

Who was Jewish.

He sent for Paul.

He listened to Paul

Speak

Concerning faith

In Christ Jesus.”

Μετὰ δὲ ἡμέρας τινὰς παραγενόμενος ὁ Φῆλιξ σὺν Δρουσίλλῃ τῇ ἰδίᾳ γυναικὶ οὔσῃ Ἰουδαίᾳ μετεπέμψατο τὸν Παῦλον, καὶ ἤκουσεν αὐτοῦ περὶ τῆς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν πίστεως.

The author of Acts indicated that some days later (Μετὰ δὲ ἡμέρας τινὰς), Governor Felix (ὁ Φῆλιξ) came (παραγενόμενος) with his wife Drusilla (σὺν Δρουσίλλῃ τῇ ἰδίᾳ γυναικὶ), who was Jewish (οὔσῃ Ἰουδαίᾳ).  He sent for or summoned (μετεπέμψατο) Paul (τὸν Παῦλον).  He listened to Paul (καὶ ἤκουσεν αὐτοῦ) speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus (περὶ τῆς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν πίστεως).  Acts was the only Greek biblical writing that used this word μετεπέμψατο, that means to send after, to send for, or summon.  Felix with his Jewish wife Drusilla summoned Paul to talk about faith in Jesus Christ.  This seemed like a good sign.  This Drusilla was the daughter of King Herod Agrippa I, who had tried to imprison Peter in chapter 12.  She had been married to King Emesa of Syria.  They both had previous marriages.  Thus, they were both knowledgeable about what was going on with the Jews and this breakaway group following the way of Jesus.  Has anybody ever asked you to speak about Jesus?

July 26, 2020

Paul was put into protective custody (Acts 24:23)

“Then the governor Felix

Ordered the centurion

To keep Paul

In custody,

But to let him have

Some liberty.

None of his friends

Should be prevented

From taking care

Of his needs.”

διαταξάμενος τῷ ἑκατοντάρχῃ τηρεῖσθαι αὐτὸν ἔχειν τε ἄνεσιν καὶ μηδένα κωλύειν τῶν ἰδίων αὐτοῦ ὑπηρετεῖν αὐτῷ.

The author of Acts indicated that then Governor Felix ordered (διαταξάμενος) the centurion (τῷ ἑκατοντάρχῃ) to keep Paul in custody (τηρεῖσθαι αὐτὸν), but to let him have some liberty or freedom (ἔχειν τε ἄνεσιν).  No one (καὶ μηδένα) should be prevented (κωλύειν) from taking care of his needs (τῶν ἰδίων αὐτοῦ ὑπηρετεῖν αὐτῷ).  Acts was the only Greek biblical writing that used this word ὑπηρετεῖν, that means to serve as a rower, to minister to, or to serve.  Although there was no decision about Paul, he was to be detained.  The centurion was ordered to give him some freedom, so that some of his friends could come and visit him, and thus take care of him.  Paul was like in house confinement.  Have you ever been in house confinement?

July 26, 2020

Governor Felix adjourned the meeting (Acts 24:22)

“But Felix,

Who was rather well informed

About the Way,

Adjourned the meeting.

He said.

‘When Lysias

The Roman commander

Comes down,

I will decide your case.’”

Ἀνεβάλετο δὲ αὐτοὺς ὁ Φῆλιξ, ἀκριβέστερον εἰδὼς τὰ περὶ τῆς Ὁδοῦ, εἴπας Ὅταν Λυσίας ὁ χιλίαρχος καταβῇ, διαγνώσομαι τὰ καθ’ ὑμᾶς·

The author of Acts indicated that Felix (ὁ Φῆλιξ), who was rather well informed about the Way (εἰδὼς τὰ περὶ τῆς Ὁδοῦ), adjourned the meeting (Ἀνεβάλετο δὲ αὐτοὺς).  He said (εἴπας) that when the Roman commander (ὁ χιλίαρχος), Lysias (Ὅταν Λυσίας), came down (καταβῇ), he would decide this case (διαγνώσομαι τὰ καθ’ ὑμᾶς).  Acts was the only Greek biblical writing that used these words Ἀνεβάλετο, that means to put off, postpone, defer, and διαγνώσομαι, that means to distinguish, to determine, to know accurately, examine, or decide.  The Governor Felix brought this trial to an abrupt end.  Apparently, he knew all about the Jewish Way or the Way of Jesus.  He decided that he would wait until the Roman commander Lysias showed up to make a decision.  This was upsetting to both sides.  The Jerusalem Jews had traveled about 60 miles to make their accusations with the result of a hung jury.  Paul was not happy either because he was not vindicated.  Have you ever been a juror at a trial?

July 26, 2020

This is about the resurrection of the dead (Acts 24:21)

“There was one sentence

That I cried out

While standing among them.

It is about

The resurrection of the dead

That I am on trial

Before you today.”

ἢ περὶ μιᾶς ταύτης φωνῆς ἧς ἐκέκραξα ἐν αὐτοῖς ἑστὼς ὅτι Περὶ ἀναστάσεως νεκρῶν ἐγὼ κρίνομαι σήμερον ἐφ’ ὑμῶν.

The author of Acts indicated that Paul said that this whole complaint was about one sentence (ἢ περὶ μιᾶς ταύτης φωνῆς) that he cried out (ἧς ἐκέκραξα) when he was standing among them (ἐν αὐτοῖς ἑστὼς), about the resurrection of the dead (ὅτι Περὶ ἀναστάσεως νεκρῶν).  That is why he was on trial today (ἐγὼ κρίνομαι σήμερον ἐφ’ ὑμῶν).  Paul turned to his favorite argument that this whole condemnation was due to his shouting out about the resurrection of the dead.  The Pharisees were in favor of it, while the Sadducees were against it.  This actually caused all the commotion.  Paul knew that and he wanted to emphasize it.  What is your belief about the resurrection?

July 26, 2020

Let them tell you what crimes I have done (Acts 24:20)

“Let these men here

Tell what crime

They have found

When I stood

Before the council.”

ἢ αὐτοὶ οὗτοι εἰπάτωσαν τί εὗρον ἀδίκημα στάντος μου ἐπὶ τοῦ συνεδρίου,

The author of Acts indicated that Paul said that they should let these men come here and tell him (ἢ αὐτοὶ οὗτοι εἰπάτωσαν) what crime they have found (τί εὗρον ἀδίκημα) when he stood (στάντος μου) before the Jerusalem Sanhedrin council (ἐπὶ τοῦ συνεδρίου).  Paul wanted these Asian Jews to come to Caesarea to say what crimes they had found when he stood before the Jerusalem Sanhedrin council.  Paul was sure that there was not any crime.  Have your accusers been afraid to confront you?