In Revelation, there was one beast where one of his heads appeared to be killed, but his fatal wound healed. In other words, he was dead and then brought back to life. This was to show the power of Jesus Christ. He had control over life and death. What do these death and resurrection references mean with regard to the beast? These beasts represent both the devil and human kingdoms and its king. Do you heal well from wounds?
Acts of the Apostles
Transgression and restoration (Gal. 6:1)
“Brothers!
If anyone is detected
In a transgression,
You who have received
The Spirit
Should restore him
In a spirit of gentleness.
Look to yourself!
Do not be tempted!”
Ἀδελφοί, ἐὰν καὶ προλημφθῇ ἄνθρωπος ἔν τινι παραπτώματι, ὑμεῖς οἱ πνευματικοὶ καταρτίζετε τὸν τοιοῦτον ἐν πνεύματι πραΰτητος, σκοπῶν σεαυτόν, μὴ καὶ σὺ πειρασθῇς.
Paul said, “Brothers (Ἀδελφοί)! If anyone is detected (ἐὰν καὶ προλημφθῇ ἄνθρωπος) in a transgression (ἔν τινι παραπτώματι), you who have received the Spirit (ὑμεῖς οἱ πνευματικοὶ καταρτίζετε) should restore him in a spirit of gentleness (τὸν τοιοῦτον ἐν πνεύματι πραΰτητος). Look to yourself (σκοπῶν σεαυτόν)! Do not be tempted (μὴ καὶ σὺ πειρασθῇς)!” Only the Pauline letters used this word πραΰτητος, that means gentleness or mildness. Paul took up the question of fraternal correction. If someone was detected or caught in a transgression, the spiritual ones in the Christian community should help to restore him in a gentile or kind way. They should not be harsh towards their sinful brothers. However, they should be careful not to be tempted to do the same transgression. How do you treat people who you think are doing wrong things?
Generosity (2 Cor. 8:2)
“During a severe test
Of affliction,
Their abundant joy
And their extreme poverty
Have overflowed
In a wealth
Of generosity
On their part.”
ὅτι ἐν πολλῇ δοκιμῇ θλίψεως ἡ περισσεία τῆς χαρᾶς αὐτῶν καὶ ἡ κατὰ βάθους πτωχεία αὐτῶν ἐπερίσσευσεν εἰς τὸ πλοῦτος τῆς ἁπλότητος αὐτῶν·
Paul said that during a severe test (ὅτι ἐν πολλῇ δοκιμῇ) of affliction (θλίψεως), their abundant joy (ἡ περισσεία τῆς χαρᾶς αὐτῶν) and their extreme poverty (καὶ ἡ κατὰ βάθους πτωχεία αὐτῶν) have overflowed (ἐπερίσσευσεν) in a wealth of generosity on their part (εἰς τὸ πλοῦτος τῆς ἁπλότητος αὐτῶν). Only the Pauline letters used this word δοκιμῇ, that means a trial, proving, approval, or tried, and the word ἁπλότητος, that means singleness, simplicity, or graciousness. Paul then praised the northern neighbors of the Corinthians. Despite many afflictions and tribulations, these Macedonians were still joyful. Even in their extreme poverty, they were generous. Do you know people who in extreme poverty are still generous?
They rule over each other’s body (1 Cor. 7:4)
“The wife
Does not rule
Over her own body,
But the husband does.
Likewise,
The husband
Does not rule
Over his own body,
But the wife does.”
ἡ γυνὴ τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος οὐκ ἐξουσιάζει ἀλλὰ ὁ ἀνήρ· ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος οὐκ ἐξουσιάζει ἀλλὰ ἡ γυνή.
Paul said that “the wife (ἡ γυνὴ) does not rule (οὐκ ἐξουσιάζει) over her own body (τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος), but the husband does (ἀλλὰ ὁ ἀνήρ). Likewise (ὁμοίως), the husband (δὲ καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ) does not rule (οὐκ ἐξουσιάζει) over his own body (τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος), but the wife does (ἀλλὰ ἡ γυνή).” Thus, the right to each other’s body was another shared concept. Neither the husband nor the wife has total control over their own bodies. The wife controls the husband’s body, just as the husband controls the wife’s body. Thus, these shared conjugal rights were at the heart of Paul’s thoughts on marriage. Do you believe that a spouse controls the body of his or her spouse in marriage?
The law and the prophets (Rom 3:21)
“But now,
Apart from the law,
The righteousness of God
Has been revealed
And is attested
By the law
And the prophets.”
Νυνὶ δὲ χωρὶς νόμου δικαιοσύνη Θεοῦ πεφανέρωται, μαρτυρουμένη ὑπὸ τοῦ νόμου καὶ τῶν προφητῶν,
Paul said that now, apart from the law (Νυνὶ δὲ χωρὶς νόμου), the righteousness of God has (δικαιοσύνη Θεοῦ) been disclosed or revealed (πεφανέρωται) and is attested (μαρτυρουμένη) by the law (ὑπὸ τοῦ νόμου) and the prophets (καὶ τῶν προφητῶν). Paul indicated that the righteousness of God has been testified to by the law and the prophets, completely apart from the law itself. The revelation of God’s righteousness can now be found without the law alone, since the law and the prophets spoke about it. Do you accept the Torah law and the prophets?
Paul speaks to the Jews in Rome
After Paul arrived in Rome, he spoke to the Jewish leaders there. Paul explained to them that the Romans wanted to release him, but he appealed to Caesar. Thus, he was bound in chains. The Roman Jews had not heard any bad things about Paul. However, they wanted to know about this Jewish sect of Christians. Then Paul testified about Jesus. Some were convinced by Paul, who cited the prophet Isaiah and the Holy Spirit about listening and seeing without understanding. These Jewish leaders themselves did not understand. Paul said that the gentiles would listen. Thus, the Roman Jewish leaders departed. Paul stayed two more years in Rome proclaiming the kingdom of God. This is the end of adventures of Paul without any clear conclusion.
The final leg on the trip to Rome
They sailed on another Alexandrian ship that stayed three days in Syracuse. Then, they were on to Rhegium and Puteoli, where there were some believing brothers. Then the Roman Christians came to meet Paul, when they finally arrived in Rome.
The island of Malta
They had landed on the island of Malta. They lit a fire for everyone. A viper attacked Paul, so that the natives thought that Paul was a murderer. However, Paul was not harmed, so then they thought that he must be a god. The friendly chief of the island, Publius, had a sick father that Paul cured. Thus, many people came to be cured. When they left the island, they received honors and provisions.
Paul heads to Rome
Paul was handed over to a centurion as they set sail for Asia Minor. They landed at Sidon. Then they sailed by the island of Cyprus and on to Myra, where they got on an Alexandrian ship. They sailed by Crete on the way to Fair Havens, but the sailing was dangerous. Paul said that they were in danger, but the centurion listened to the owner of the ship. They wanted to go to Phoenix, so that they sailed along the coast of Crete. However, they got caught in a northeastern wind. Finally, they got control of the lifeboat. They had a number of problems at sea, so that they threw overboard the cargo and the tackle. They had lost hope. Paul told them “I told you so”. He said that there would be no loss of life because an angel had appeared to him to say that they would all be safe. They just had to stay courageous. However, they ran aground on some island. They were getting close to land in shallow water, so that they anchored the ship. The sailors lowered the lifeboat but Paul told them to keep the sailors on board. The soldiers cut the ropes of the lifeboat. Then Paul told them to take some food since they had to survive. Paul had some bread like Eucharistic bread. They all took some food, since there were 276 people on board this ship. They threw the wheat overboard as they headed for the beach in the bay, but they struck a reef. The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners. However, the centurion said that they should swim to land. Thus, they all arrived safe on land.
Paul Makes His Defense Before King Herod Agrippa II
Paul was given permission to speak. He was happy to defend himself before King Agrippa II. He told them to listen to him. They all knew how he had spent his life in Jerusalem. Paul was a Pharisee. He followed his ancestors and the promises made to the twelve tribes. He said that God raised the dead. He did many things against the name of Jesus. He locked up the saints, punished them, and pursued them. He was on his way to Damascus, when a light from heaven appeared. A voice asked him why he was persecuting him. Then the voice said that he was Jesus. He was to get up on his feet and be rescued. He was to open their eyes to the light. Thus, Paul was not disobedient to this heavenly vision. He went out and proclaimed repentance. However, the Jews seized him. Paul maintained that he was in line with the prophets and Moses, who had said that the Messiah Christ would suffer and rise from the dead. Then Governor Festus called Paul insane. Paul said he was telling the truth. He said that King Agrippa II understood what he was talking about, since he believed in the prophets. Was Paul trying to make King Agrippa II a Christian? Paul wanted all of them to become Christians. Then they all got up. They all said that Paul had done nothing deserving death. Thus, he could have been freed, if he had not appealed to Rome.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 