Chapter 28:
| 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 28
Concise Complete
Paul kindly received at Melita. (1-10) He arrives at Rome.
(11-16) His conference with the Jews. (17-22) Paul preaches to the Jews, and
abides at Rome a prisoner. (23-31)
Verses 1-10 God can
make strangers to be friends; friends in distress. Those who are despised for
homely manners, are often more friendly than the more polished; and the conduct
of heathens, or persons called barbarians, condemns many in civilized nations,
professing to be Christians. The people thought that Paul was a murderer, and
that the viper was sent by Divine justice, to be the avenger of blood. They knew
that there is a God who governs the world, so that things do not come to pass by
chance, no, not the smallest event, but all by Divine direction; and that evil
pursues sinners; that there are good works which God will reward, and wicked
works which he will punish. Also, that murder is a dreadful crime, one which
shall not long go unpunished. But they thought all wicked people were punished
in this life. Though some are made examples in this world, to prove that there
is a God and a Providence, yet many are left unpunished, to prove that there is
a judgment to come. They also thought all who were remarkably afflicted in this
life were wicked people. Divine revelation sets this matter in a true light.
Good men often are greatly afflicted in this life, for the trial and increase of
their faith and patience. Observe Paul's deliverance from the danger. And thus
in the strength of the grace of Christ, believers shake off the temptations of
Satan, with holy resolution. When we despise the censures and reproaches of men,
and look upon them with holy contempt, having the testimony of our consciences
for us, then, like Paul, we shake off the viper into the fire. It does us no
harm, except we are kept by it from our duty. God hereby made Paul remarkable
among these people, and so made way for the receiving of the gospel. The Lord
raises up friends for his people in every place whither he leads them, and makes
them blessings to those in affliction.
Verses 11-16 The
common events of travelling are seldom worthy of being told; but the comfort of
communion with the saints, and kindness shown by friends, deserve particular
mention. The Christians at Rome were so far from being ashamed of Paul, or
afraid of owning him, because he was a prisoner, that they were the more careful
to show him respect. He had great comfort in this. And if our friends are kind
to us, God puts it into their hearts, and we must give him the glory. When we
see those even in strange places, who bear Christ's name, fear God, and serve
him, we should lift up our hearts to heaven in thanksgiving. How many great men
have made their entry into Rome, crowned and in triumph, who really were plagues
to the world! But here a good man makes his entry into Rome, chained as a poor
captive, who was a greater blessing to the world than any other merely a man. Is
not this enough to put us for ever out of conceit with worldly favour? This may
encourage God's prisoners, that he can give them favour in the eyes of those
that carry them captives. When God does not soon deliver his people out of
bondage, yet makes it easy to them, or them easy under it, they have reason to
be thankful.
Verses 17-22 It
was for the honour of Paul that those who examined his case, acquitted him. In
his appeal he sought not to accuse his nation, but only to clear himself. True
Christianity settles what is of common concern to all mankind, and is not built
upon narrow opinions and private interests. It aims at no worldly benefit or
advantage, but all its gains are spiritual and eternal. It is, and always has
been, the lot of Christ's holy religion, to be every where spoken against. Look
through every town and village where Christ is exalted as the only Saviour of
mankind, and where the people are called to follow him in newness of life, and
we see those who give themselves up to Christ, still called a sect, a party, and
reproached. And this is the treatment they are sure to receive, so long as there
shall continue an ungodly man upon earth.
Verses 23-31 Paul
persuaded the Jews concerning Jesus. Some were wrought upon by the word, and
others hardened; some received the light, and others shut their eyes against it.
And the same has always been the effect of the gospel. Paul parted with them,
observing that the Holy Ghost had well described their state. Let all that hear
the gospel, and do not heed it, tremble at their doom; for who shall heal them,
if God does not? The Jews had afterwards much reasoning among themselves. Many
have great reasoning, who do not reason aright. They find fault with one
another's opinions, yet will not yield to truth. Nor will men's reasoning among
themselves convince them, without the grace of God to open their understandings.
While we mourn on account of such despisers, we should rejoice that the
salvation of God is sent to others, who will receive it; and if we are of that
number, we should be thankful to Him who hath made us to differ. The apostle
kept to his principle, to know and preach nothing but Christ and him crucified.
Christians, when tempted from their main business, should bring themselves back
with this question, What does this concern the Lord Jesus? What tendency has it
to bring us to him, and to keep us walking in him? The apostle preached not
himself, but Christ, and he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Though Paul
was placed in a very narrow opportunity for being useful, he was not disturbed
in it. Though it was not a wide door that was opened to him, yet no man was
suffered to shut it; and to many it was an effectual door, so that there were
saints even in Nero's household,
philippians 4:22 . We
learn also from
philippians 1:13 ,
how God overruled Paul's imprisonment for the furtherance of the gospel. And not
the residents at Rome only, but all the church of Christ, to the present day,
and in the most remote corner of the globe, have abundant reason to bless God,
that during the most mature period of his Christian life and experience, he was
detained a prisoner. It was from his prison, probably chained hand to hand to
the soldier who kept him, that the apostle wrote the epistles to the Ephesians,
Philippians, Colossians, and Hebrews; epistles showing, perhaps more than any
others, the Christian love with which his heart overflowed, and the Christian
experience with which his soul was filled. The believer of the present time may
have less of triumph, and less of heavenly joy, than the apostle, but every
follower of the same Saviour, is equally sure of safety and peace at the last.
Let us seek to live more and more in the love of the Saviour; to labour to
glorify Him by every action of our lives; and we shall assuredly, by his
strength, be among the number of those who now overcome our enemies; and by his
free grace and mercy, be hereafter among the blessed company who shall sit with
Him upon his throne, even as He also has overcome, and is sitting on his
Father's throne, at God's right hand for evermore.
Chapter 28:
| 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
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