Chapter 24:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 John Romans
Acts 24
Concise Complete
The speech of Tertullus against Paul. (1-9) Paul's defence
before Felix. (10-21) Felix trembles at the reasoning of Paul. (22-27)
Verses 1-9 See here
the unhappiness of great men, and a great unhappiness it is, to have their
services praised beyond measure, and never to be faithfully told of their
faults; hereby they are hardened and encouraged in evil, like Felix. God's
prophets were charged with being troublers of the land, and our Lord Jesus
Christ, that he perverted the nation; the very same charges were brought against
Paul. The selfish and evil passions of men urge them forward, and the graces and
power of speech, too often have been used to mislead and prejudice men against
the truth. How different will the characters of Paul and Felix appear at the day
of judgement, from what they are represented in the speech of Tertullus! Let not
Christians value the applause, or be troubled at the revilings of ungodly men,
who represent the vilest of the human race almost as gods, and the excellent of
the earth as pestilences and movers of sedition.
Verses 10-21 Paul
gives a just account of himself, which clears him from crime, and likewise shows
the true reason of the violence against him. Let us never be driven from any
good way by its having an ill name. It is very comfortable, in worshipping God,
to look to him as the God of our fathers, and to set up no other rule of faith
or practice but the Scriptures. This shows there will be a resurrection to a
final judgment. Prophets and their doctrines were to be tried by their fruits.
Paul's aim was to have a conscience void of offence. His care and endeavour was
to abstain from many things, and to abound in the exercises of religion at all
times; both towards God. and towards man. If blamed for being more earnest in
the things of God than our neighbours, what is our reply? Do we shrink from the
accusation? How many in the world would rather be accused of any weakness, nay,
even of wickedness, than of an earnest, fervent feeling of love to the Lord
Jesus Christ, and of devotedness to his service! Can such think that He will
confess them when he comes in his glory, and before the angels of God? If there
is any sight pleasing to the God of our salvation, and a sight at which the
angels rejoice, it is, to behold a devoted follower of the Lord, here upon
earth, acknowledging that he is guilty, if it be a crime, of loving the Lord who
died for him, with all his heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. And that he
will not in silence see God's word despised, or hear his name profaned; he will
rather risk the ridicule and the hatred of the world, than one frown from that
gracious Being whose love is better than life.
Verses 22-27 The
apostle reasoned concerning the nature and obligations of righteousness,
temperance, and of a judgment to come; thus showing the oppressive judge and his
profligate mistress, their need of repentance, forgiveness, and of the grace of
the gospel. Justice respects our conduct in life, particularly in reference to
others; temperance, the state and government of our souls, in reference to God.
He who does not exercise himself in these, has neither the form nor the power of
godliness, and must be overwhelmed with the Divine wrath in the day of God's
appearing. A prospect of the judgment to come, is enough to make the stoutest
heart to tremble. Felix trembled, but that was all. Many are startled by the
word of God, who are not changed by it. Many fear the consequences of sin, yet
continue in the love and practice of sin. In the affairs of our souls, delays
are dangerous. Felix put off this matter to a more convenient season, but we do
not find that the more convenient season ever came. Behold now is the accepted
time; hear the voice of the Lord to-day. He was in haste to turn from hearing
the truth. Was any business more urgent than for him to reform his conduct, or
more important than the salvation of his soul! Sinners often start up like a man
roused from his sleep by a loud noise, but soon sink again into their usual
drowsiness. Be not deceived by occasional appearances of religion in ourselves
or in others. Above all, let us not trifle with the word of God. Do we expect
that as we advance in life our hearts will grow softer, or that the influence of
the world will decline? Are we not at this moment in danger of being lost for
ever? Now is the day of salvation; tomorrow may be too late.
Chapter 24:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 John Romans
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
