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| 1 And having safely escaped, then they knew that Melita the island is called. |
Island was called Melita – Now called the Island of Malta. R4506:5
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| 2 The and barbarians rendered not the ordinary kindness to us; having kindled for a fire; they brought to all of us, because of the rain that having been present, and because of the cold. |
Barbarous people – So called because they did not speak Greek, but Phoenician. R4506:6
No little kindness – Yet there is no record that the Apostle or Luke or Aristarchus made any effort to conduct evangelistic meetings among them. The Apostle seemingly knew that they were too degraded to be called with the high calling. R3205:2, 2691:3, 1347:6
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| 3 Having gathered and the Paul of sticks a bundle, and having placed on the fire, a viper from the heat having come out fastened on the hand of him. |
Gathered a bundle of sticks – He stood not on any dignity or assumed superiority to be served, but promptly assisted in serving the interests of the entire company. R4506:6
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| 4 When and saw the barbarians hanging the wild beast from the hand of him, they said to each other: Certainly a murderer is the man this, whom having been saved from the sea the Justice to live not permitted. |
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| 5 He indeed then having shaken off the wild beast into the fire, suffered nothing bad; |
Felt no harm – The Lord constantly witnessed with him, by miracles and signs which mightily convinced the people. R1558:5
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| 6 they but were expecting him to be about to swell, or to fall down suddenly dead. For a long and of them, expecting, and seeing nothing out of place to him happening, changing their minds they said: A god him to be. |
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| 7 In and to those about the place that were farms to the chiefs of the island, by name Poplius; who having received us, three days kindly entertained. |
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| 8 It happened and the father of the Poplius with fevers and dysentery being seized was lying down; to whom the Paul going in, and having prayed, having placed the hands to him, healed him. |
Healed him – The Apostle Paul healed the multitudes, but did not cure himself. R1689:4
Although so far as we have any information the Apostle did not attempt to preach the Gospel message. Evidently he did not consider them to be "good ground." R4507:1
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| 9 This therefore being done, and the others those having sicknesses in the island, came, and were healed; |
Which had diseases – He sent napkins and handkerchiefs to the diseased, but when the consecrated were sick he sent none to them. R1689:4
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| 10 who also with many rewards rewarded us, and leading out they placed on the things for the need. |
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| 11 After and three months we sailed in a ship having been wintered in the island, Alexandrian, with an ensign Dioscuri. |
After three months – Early in the spring of AD 60. R4507:1
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| 12 And having been led own to Syracuse, we remained days three. |
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| 13 Whence having gone round we came to Rhegium; and after one day having sprung up a South wind, second day we came to Puteoli; |
Puteoli – The Bay of Naples, the seaport of Rome, which is 150 miles inland. R4507:1
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| 14 where having found brethren we were invited by them to remain days seven; and thus towards the Rome we went. |
With them seven days – The Centurion awaiting orders from Rome respecting the disposal of his prisoners. R4507:1
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| 15 And thence the brethren having heard the things concerning us, came out to a meeting with us as far as Appii forum, and Three taverns; whom seeing the Paul, having given thanks to the God, he took courage. |
They came to meet us – The welcome faces of brethren. R1570:1
Paul had a considerable number of kinsmen and acquaintances in Rome, the number was at least over thirty two (Rom. 16:1-5). These visited him speed R3208:3
Appii forum – 43 miles distant from Rome. R4507:2
The three taverns – 30 miles from the great city. R4507:2
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| 16 When and we came to Rome the centurion delivered the prisoners to the perfect of the Pretorium camp; the but Paul was permitted to abide by himself, with the watching him soldiers. |
Rome – The very center of influence at that time. R3208:5
Captain of the guard – Julius, who is supposed to have been the prefect of the Praetorium, a man of good repute. R3208:5
But Paul – As result of Festus' letter to Caesar and the favorable impression the Apostle made upon the centurion in connection with the shipwreck. R3208:1
With a soldier – A guard, changed every few hours, to whom the Apostle was constantly chained. Probably a considerable number of the garrison had personal contact with the Apostle. R3208:1
That kept him – Many were brought into contact with Christian teachings and example. It is claimed that through these soldiers that the Gospel message was carried to France, Germany and Great Britain. R4507:3, 3208:2
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| 17 It happened and after days three to have called together to him those being of the Jews chiefs. Having come together and of them, he said to them: Men brethren, I nothing against having done to the people or to the customs those paternal, a prisoner from Jerusalem I was delivered into the hands of the Romans; |
After three days – The first step, after his arrival and settlement in Rome, was to call together the chief of the Jews in Rome. R1570:1
The Apostle was energetic in seeking to be about the Master's business. R3208:3
The Jews together – At this time there were seven synagogues at Rome. R4507:3
He said unto them – The Apostle did not attempt to preach the Gospel at this first interview, but simply introduced himself and his message and made an appointment for a future meeting. R3209:1, 1570:2
He explained briefly the cause of the opposition of the Jews, the necessity of his appeal to Caesar and the assurance that he had naught to accuse his own nation. R3208:6
Committed nothing – Was not disloyal to his nation or its customs. R4507:4
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| 18 who having examined me wished to release, because that no one cause of death to be in me. |
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| 19 Speaking against and the Jews, I was forced to call upon Caesar; not as of the nation of me having anything to accuse. |
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| 20 Because of this therefore the cause I called you to see and to speak with; on account for of the hope of the Israel the chain this I wear around. |
The hope of Israel – Israel had a hope, and because of his loyalty to Israel and Israel's hope, he suffered imprisonment. R3208:6
It was in the promise of a Messiah and the establishment of his Kingdom. R1570:1
The blessedness promised to that nation, and through it to all the nations of the earth. R1435:4*
Its realization made sure in the resurrection of Christ. R751:2
See also comments on Acts 26:6,7.
Bound with this chain – Under the care of a soldier to whom he was lightly chained. R4507:3, 3208:1
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| 21 They and to him said: We neither letters concerning thee received from the Judea, neither having come any one of the brethren related or spoken anything concerning thee evil. |
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| 22 we deem proper but from thee to hear, what thou thinkest; concerning indeed for of the sect this known is to us, that everywhere it is spoken against. |
We desire to hear – They had received no letter or communications injurious to the Apostle, and expressed a desire to hear for themselves what St. Paul had to say, because they knew this sect was spoken against as evil. R4507:4, 3209:1
This sect – The Greek word is airesis, heresy; but modern English definition has been changed. R1130:6, 3792:3,4
The Church of Christ is neither a sect nor an aggregation of sects; it is one and indivisible. It is Christ and all who are united to him. R1576:3, 413:5
This church was a sect itself--a split off from the Jewish church. R538:2
Christians are a separated class--separate from the world--separate from sinners--separate from all others; in that they accept of Jesus, and salvation through his blood. R538:2
There should be no schism or division of this sect; all who are of it should be one. (1 Cor. 12:25) R538:2
Everywhere – Good men and bad men may have both friends and enemies, but it is reserved for the pure Gospel and those who uphold it to be everywhere spoken against. R3209:1, 811:3*
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| 23 Having appointed and to him a day, came to him to the lodging many; to whom he set forth testifying earnestly the kingdom of the God, persuading and them the things concerning the Jesus, from both the law of Moses and of the prophets, from morning till evening. |
He expounded – He was ready with all his strong arguments. R1570:2
Showing from the Law and the prophecies that Jesus is the Messiah and that he is now gathering a spiritual seed to be his Kingdom. R4507:5
Showing the types of the Law, the necessity for an antitypical sin-offering and the necessity for an antitypical Prophet, Priest and King, and the predictions of the prophets. R3209:2
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| 24 And these indeed were persuaded by the words being spoken, those but believed not. |
Some believed not – It is always thus. The truth is a searcher and discerner of hearts and a separator. R4507:6, 3209:2,3
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| 25 Not agreed and being with each other, they were dismissed, saying of the Paul word one: That well the spirit the holy spoke through Esaias the prophet to the fathers of us, |
Paul had spoken – When some refused the message, he quoted from Isaiah, how God foretold that the majority of the Jews would reject the message. (Isa. 6:9,10) R4507:5
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| 26 saying: Go thou to the people this, and say thou: With ears you will hear, and not not you may understand; and seeing you will see, and not not you may perceive. |
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| 27 Unfeeling for the heart of the people this and with the ears heavily they hear, and the eyes of them they closed; lest at any time they should see the eyes, and with the ears they should hear, and with the heart they should understand, and should return, and I should heal them. |
Dull of hearing – Were unworthy of the knowledge and the call. R1347:6
A rebuke which the Lord so frequently applied to the Jews. (Matt. 13:15) R1570:4
Should heal – Greek, iaomai; as in "Pray one for another that ye may be healed." (James 5:16) Has also the significance R4099:3*
Can be applied in a moral or spiritual sense. R4099:5*
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| 28 Known therefore let it be to you, that to the Gentiles is sent the salvation of the God; they and will hear. |
Salvation of God – Another way of expressing the blessedness promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. R1435:4*
Unto the Gentiles – Who should enjoy the privilege of which they had judged themselves unworthy. R1570:4
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| 29 And these things of him saying, went the Jews, much having among themselves discussion. |
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| 30 He abode and two years whole in the hired dwelling; and received all those coming in to |
Two whole years – Awaiting the due process of the law--the arrival of witness from Jerusalem, the formulating of charges, etc. R1570:4
His liberty. R1827:4; F672
His own hired house – Apartments. R3208:2
It was here that Paul wrote the epistles to the Philippians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and to Philemon. R3208:5, 1570:5
It is possible that his necessities were met by his friends or that by this time he had inherited considerable patrimony from his father's estate. R3208:2, 2969:1
Implying Paul inherited a patrimony which enabled him to live with numerous conveniences enjoyed at that time only by the wealthy. R4355:2
We should do the Father's will as the necessities of the work may require it, if expedient to have a dwelling place entirely consecrated to his work. R540:6*
Just as we have today, generally small, their usual meeting places were private dwellings or rented upper rooms. R984:2
In no respect did those early associations of gatherings resemble those of Babylon, "mother" or daughters, today. R984:2
All that came in – Those who are kept prisoners at home by family duties, illness, etc., should both pray and expect that the Lord would bring to them such as might be benefitted by their ministries of the truth. R3209:4
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| him, publishing the kingdom of the God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus |
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| Anointed with all freedom of speech, unrestrained. |
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