Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Acts 16:37 But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us in public without trial, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they sending us away secretly? No indeed! But let them come themselves and bring us out." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 16:37 But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us in public without a trial, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison; and now they are sending us out secretly? No! Let them come here themselves and bring us out!" |
Bible Question: I don't know, i was thinking more on the lines of pride or a form of pride. But I wonder why didn't he just leave, he left secretly earlier. Was it to protect the Guard? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Fwiaskycap, Act 16:37 "But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out." [ESV] Here is a bit of commentary on Acts 16:37 to help better explain what Paul meant.. "16:37 Romans. To inflict corporal punishment on a Roman citizen was a serious crime, and made more so since Paul and Silas did not receive a trial. As a result, the magistrates faced the possibility of being removed from office, and having Philippi's privileges as a Roman colony revoked.." (1) "16:37 without trial. Public beating for a Roman citizen (see v. 38) would have been illegal, let alone beating without a trial. let them come themselves. Paul and Silas were not asking for an escort to salve their injured pride as much as they were establishing their innocence for the sake of the church in Philippi and its future." (2) The release and pardon of Paul and Silas should have been every bit as public as the unjust act of their imprisonment. As the magistrates have publicly attempted to disgrace them, so they should as publicly acquit them of disgrace. You see, their beating and imprisonment was more than a matter of mere justice; it was of great importance to their character and success, and they insisted on it because such a public act of pardon on the part of the magistrates would strengthen the young converts, and show them that the apostles were not guilty of a violation of the laws. The pardon would give honor and work to give testimony of their religion. It would be a public acknowledgement of their innocence, and would go far toward showing that they abide by the laws as religious teachers. We may learn from this also, that even though Christianity requires meekness in the reception of injuries, yet there are occasions on which Christians may insist on our rights according to the laws, particularly where the honor of our faith is concerned, and where by it the Gospel will be promoted. A Christian may bear much in private, and may submit, without any effort to seek redemption; but where the honor of the gospel is concerned; where submission, without any effort to obtain justice, might be followed by disgrace to the cause of our faith, a higher obligation is required to seek a vindication of our character, and to claim the protection of the laws. Our name, character, and influence belong to the church. The laws are designed as a protection to an injured name, or of violated property and rights, and of an endangered life. And when that protection can be had only by an appeal to the laws, such an appeal, as in the case of Paul and Silas, is neither vindictive nor improper. My private interests I may sacrifice, if I choose; my public name, and character, and principles belong to the church and the world, and the laws, if necessary, may be called in for their protection. Blessings to you, Makarios (1) The MacArthur Study Bible, 1997, Word Publishing, John MacArthur, pg. 1664 (2) The Zondervan NASB Study Bible, 1999, the Zondervan Corporation, Kenneth Barker, pg. 1607 |
Up | View Branch | ID# 156618 | ||
Questions and/or Subjects for Acts 16:37 | Author | ||
|
fwiaskycap | ||
|
kalos | ||
|
fwiaskycap | ||
|
Makarios |