Atos 24
G. Campbell Morgan · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 24
Morgan comments that "The inspiration of that accusation is made evident by the presence of Ananias the high priest. In considering this story the geographical facts should be remembered, and the age in which these things happened. One can imagine with what distaste an old man like Ananias would make this journey of about seventy miles. Nevertheless he did so in great haste. The memory of that simple fact will help us to understand the inspiration of this opposition. It was caused by the hatred that had entered into the heart of this man Annaias and all those associated with him, toward Paul and toward all that for which Paul stood. (ED: And who do you think put in his heart a hatred so vile and vicious that it sought to kill another human being? Satan of course - see Jn 8:44 whch aptly describes these Jewish accusers as full of lies and murder. Like father like son as they say!) (Commentary)
Atos 24
Morgan on pest - No word could have been used by Tertullus in the presence of Felix more calculated to suggest that Paul was a man of the very basest morals. The translation hardly carries the offensiveness of the description. (Ibid) Robertson on the absurdity of this charge - Think of the greatest preacher of the ages being branded a pest by a contemporary hired lawyer! Pest (troublemaker, a "plague-spot")(3061)(loimos) was used literally in secular Greek most often to describe pestilence, plague or "any deadly infectious malady" (as in times of war and famine - the only other NT uses = Mt 24:7=GTR, Lk 21:11 = plagues), but was occasionally used figuratively to describe someone as a "pest," a public menace, one who was malignant and mischievous, causing all manner of trouble. In the Septuagint of Ps 1:1 it was used of "scoffers" (Heb - lits - one who scorns). In the apocryphal book 1 Macc 15:21 it was used of wanted criminals. Loimos was used of birds of prey or people who are dangerous to the public. Loimos in the Septuagint - frequently used of scoffer in Proverbs 1 Sam. 1:16; 1 Sam. 2:12; 1 Sam. 10:27; 1 Sam. 25:17; 1 Sam. 25:25; 1 Sam. 29:10; 1 Sam. 30:22; 2 Chr. 13:7; Ps. 1:1; Prov. 19:25; Prov. 21:24; Prov. 22:10; Prov. 24:9; Prov. 29:8; Isa. 5:14; Jer. 15:21; Ezek. 7:21; Ezek. 18:10; Ezek. 28:7; Ezek. 30:11; Ezek. 31:12; Ezek. 32:12; Dan. 11:14; Hos. 7:5; Amos 4:2; Tertullus' point is to create the right atmosphere—Paul was a political, not a theological, offender. A WORLD-RENOWNED "TROUBLEMAKER!" And a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world (oikoumene) - A politically charged accusation. Note the exaggeration for effect - throughout the world (the entire Roman empire - ridiculous!) This recalls the antagonism to the Gospel by the Jews in Thessalonica in Acts 17:6+ When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also." Vance Havner quipped “Wherever Paul went, there was either a riot or a revival!” So in a sense the charge has some truth, but it was not Paul who was guilty but the Jews who opposed his Gospel message! Indeed, the Gospel does "stir up" the status quo in the lives of sinners! So remember that Paul is on trial for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need not be surprised when we proclaim the Gospel to others, that they in a sense "put us on trail" for the Gospel stirs up folks, especially religious folks who are satisfied with their ritual without a relationship with God.