PRONUNCIATIONS. (lish'eas); Naz'areth. Anăni'as; Ciliciă (siliz'yă); Dămăs'cus; Gămā'liel; Lysias INTRODUCTION. Paul, while in the temple court, in which only Jews were allowed, had been attacked by a mob led by Jews from Ephesus. He had been dragged into the Court of the Gentiles, where the high priest Jonathan had been slain a year before. As they were beating Paul to death, he was rescued by the Roman garrison The soldiers carried him to the top of the stairs which led to the castle Antonia. Here, out of danger from the mob, Paul requested leave to speak. It was granted, and, lifting his hand to gain silence, he uttered the words of to-day's lesson to the immense audience below him in the temple court. 1. Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. 2. (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) in 3. I am verily a man which am a Jew, born Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city 3 at the feet of 4 Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and 6 was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. 7 3 Deut. 33: 3. God, even as ye all are this 2 Kings 4: 38. Luke 10: 39. Rom. 10: 2. I. The Address. EXPLANATORY. Vers. 1, 2. 1. Men, brethren, and fathers. The accurate translation of the Greek word would be simply, "Brethren and fathers." It is noticeable that the opening words are the same as those used by Stephen in his great defence before the Sanhedrim (see chap. 7:2). "Brethren" expresses the love Paul bore to his fellowcountrymen the Jews. "Fathers" seems to recognize the presence of some of the older and more prominent men of the Jerusalem church; members, perhaps, of the Sanhedrim, certainly well-known scribes and elders of the Holy City. Schaff. It is the spirit of Christian gentleness that speaks. - Lange. These men, although they were trying to kill him, were indeed his brethren, of the same race, with the same God, living under the same promises. Their zeal was mistaken, but it was a zeal for their race and religion. Paul recognized all this, and he looked upon them as a physician does upon the sick, who need his care and help even while they may reject it.-P. Hear ye my defence. The apostle is suspected of disaffection to the Mosaic law. In order to refute this charge he gives an account of his conversion. The object Paul had in giving this account was to show that he could sympathize with the mob in their outburst of zeal, because he had himself once shared their state of mind, and nothing short of a divine revelation had altered the course of his religion and life. — Farrar. 2. In the Hebrew tongue. The Syro-Chaldaic or Aramaic, the mother-tongue of the Jews in Judea at this time, and the one, therefore, most likely to secure the attention of the mob. Observe that Paul speaks with equal fluency the Greek and the Hebrew. - Abbott. One who spoke in Hebrew was not likely to blaspheme the sacred Hebrew books. — Plumptre. Had he spoken in Greek, the majority of those who heard him would have understood his words. But the sound of the holy tongue in that holy place fell like a calm on the troubled waters. C. and H. They kept the more silence. The noun in the original refers not only to peace from cries and shouts, but to general quietness, such as would be produced by refraining from all movements. It expresses a very high degree of quietness. Rev. Ver. has, "they were the more quiet." — Cambridge Bible. II. Paul's Early Training. - Ver. 3. (1) His parentage. 3. I am verily a man which am a Jew. The Rev. Ver. has, “I am a Jew," and this renders the original fully enough. These first words of the apostle would correct many wrong impressions among the crowd, for we may be sure that many beside the chief captain had the notion that St. Paul was one of those foreign desperadoes with which Judea abounded at this time. Cambridge Bible. His parents were Jews of the tribe of Benjamin. They were 4. And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men women. and 5. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: 3 from whom also 2 both men and women. also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate II received letters unto the bre of the elders: from whom also Acts 4:5. 3 Acts 9: 2; 26: 10, 12. "Hebrews of the Hebrews," i.e., they were not proselytes, but could trace their descent in the direct line from Abraham. They were "of gentle extraction, and accustomed to move in the very highest grade of society." His father was a Roman citizen, possessing the peculiar rights of citizens, probably as a reward for distinguished services to the Roman State. He was a Hellenist, i.e., a Greek-speaking Jew. (2) His birth. Paul was born at Tarsus, the chief city of Cilicia, in Asia Minor, probably about the year A.D. 2. (3) His names. He was named Saul (“the desired one "), after the first king of Israel. This was his Hebrew name. As a Roman citizen he had also the Roman name Paul (little). (4) His education. Tarsus was the seat of one of the three great universities of the Pagan world, Athens and Alexandria being the others. Here could be obtained the best secular learning of the age. He was educated in piety at home, and in the law and traditions under Jewish Rabbis. He was taught the trade of tent-making. Brought up in this city (Jerusalem) at the feet of Gamaliel. When about twelve years old he was sent to Jerusalem, where he passed the next quarter of a century under the teaching of Gamaliel, a Pharisee, the most eminent of all the Jewish doctors. Here he studied the Bible, Roman law, and the Greek literature, theology, philosophy, jurisprudence, astronomy, astrology, medicine, botany, geography, arithmetic, architecture. Lewin. The expression " at the feet of Gamaliel" is strictly accurate. In the Jewish schools the teacher sat and taught from a raised seat; the pupils sat round on low benches or on the floor, literally at the master's feet. Schaff. (5) His early history. Taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers. He was trained in the strictest school of the Pharisees, under the greatest and most orthodox of professors. He thus disarms their angry opposition by showing that he understood them, knew their law and doctrines, and had lived not as a foreign, but a native Jew. III. His Life before Conversion. - Vers. 3-5. Paul continued many years under Gamaliel. There was scarcely his equal in Jerusalem for his knowledge of the law and general erudition. His moral character was marked by the strictest rectitude. He took the degree of Rab, the first step of honor, and then received from the University of Jerusa lem the diploma of Rabbi, which greatly aided him in his subsequent labors. He combined in himself all the qualities that indicate future greatness. He was elected to the Sanhedrim as a scribe. This could not be before he was 35, his probable age at the martyrdom of Stephen, in which he took an active part. - Lewin. And was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. "What ye are now," said the apostle, "I was once a zealot," a word well known in the extremest phases of the religious life of that disastrous period in Judea, "a zealot for what I deemed was for the honor of God.” — Schaff. But not full of the Spirit of God; on the contrary, full of self-confidence. This is implied in Phil. 3:4. Zeal, without humility and love, may only lead to sin and death. — Abbott. 4. I persecuted this way unto the death. This was the evidence of his zeal towards God. "The way" was a colloquial term for the Christian religion (Acts 9:2; 19: 23). It was the way of life, the way to heaven, the way to the best life on earth, the way to holiness, the way of happiness, the way to God.-P. It originated most likely from a loving memory of the Master's words, in which he claimed to be himself "the way, and the truth, and the life." P. The expression" unto the death "indicates the intensity of Paul's feelings. His persecution was as severe and terrible as he could make it. - Rev. Com. Being exceedingly mad against them, he says in another story of his life (Acts 26:11). Unto the death. That is, intending to put them to death. Grotius, Meyer. Paul did not actually put any to death himself, but he was the agent employed in committing them to prison; and, as he himself says, "when they were put to death I gave my voice against them" (Acts 26: 10). Mention is only made of the martyrdom of Stephen in this persecution; but it seems probable, from these expressions in the Acts, that Stephen was not the only victim. Gloag Binding and delivering into prisons. For a fuller report, see his account in Acts 26: 10, 11. And women. Showing how intense was his zeal, since he was willing to imprison even women. His character at this time is given in Phil. 3: 4-6. 5. As also the high priest doth bear me witness, or testifies for me. That is, the mascus, to bring them also received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damas-thren, and journeyed to Dacus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. 6. And it came to pass, that as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 1 Acts 9: 3; 26:12, 13. which were there unto Jerusa lem in bonds, for to be punish- as I made my journey, and about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I 7 fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest drew nigh unto Damascus, high priest at that time, who was known to be still living. — Hackett. This high priest was probably Theophilus, son of Annas, and brother-in-law of Caiaphas, who was deposed in A.D. 36. -Lewin. The reigning high priest at this period, A.D. 58, was Ananias. And all the estate of the elders. All the eldership. The Sanhedrim, the supreme court of the Jews. Though it was now more than twenty years since St. Paul's conversion, yet it was not improbable that some members of the Sanhedrim which granted him his commission were still alive, and remembered well the zealous young Pharisee of such brilliant talents and promise, and the records of the transaction were doubtless preserved and could be appealed to.- Cambridge Bible. Letters unto the brethren. That is, his Jewish brethren at Damascus. In chapter 9: 2 the language is, " to the synagogues.” — Abbott. He uses the term brethren" to show how, now as then, he regarded his fellow-countrymen, the Jews, as "his brethren," and how he looked on their interests as his. - Schaff. Went to DamasWhere were a large number of Christians, and which might become a centre of influence for the new religion. To bring them... bound unto Jerusalem. The offence, as being against the Holy Place and the law, as involving what would be called in modern language sacrilege and heresy, was beyond the jurisdiction of the subordinate tribunals, and must be reserved for that of the council at Jerusalem (see Matt. 5:22; 10: 17). Plumptre. cus. PAUL'S CHARACTER BEFORE CONVERSION. He was an excellent scholar, a courteous gentleman, an orator, a religious man, sincere, strictly moral according to the Jewish law, proud, very devoted and zealous. His great lack was true love to God and to men. He would answer to his own description in 1 Cor. 13: 1-3. However he may have seemed to other men, or even to himself then, he was far from God and from heaven, and was really a great sinner in the sight of God. — P. - Vers. 6-16. IV. His Conversion. FIRST STEP. Conviction of sin. 6. The place was nigh unto Damascus, 140 miles north-east of Jerusalem. The time, about noon, A.D. 37. Source, shown from heaven, the source of all conversion. Our salvation originates in heaven. A great light round about me. It was above the brightness of the sun (26:13). The mid-day glare of an Eastern sun is of itself exceedingly bright, and the hour was chosen, we cannot doubt, in order that "the glory" of this heaven-sent light should not be confounded with any natural phenomena. A great light at such an hour made it impossible that he should be deceived. It was in the midst of this glory that Christ was seen by Saul (1 Cor. 15:8), so that he can enumerate himself among those who had beheld the Lord after his resurrection. - Cambridge Bible (see also Acts 9: 17, 27). The image of Christ was stamped forever on his memory. How bright the glory of Christ must be to outshine the sun. This vision of Christ must have shown him his own heart. He saw that he was far from God; that even in his conceit of goodness he was doing wrong; all his life his motives, his purposes must have seemed poor and sinful contrasted with the goodness and love of Jesus whom he now saw. It is the vision of Christ, so holy and loving; it is the perception of the goodness of God that leads men to see themselves as they are, and convicts them of sin. — P. SECOND STEP. The call. 7. And I fell unto the ground. From the animal he was riding. He was dazzled by the intense brightness, and overpowered by the glory of Christ. And heard a voice. In the Hebrew tongue (26: 14). Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? The name is repeated for emphasis. It is evident, from ver. 7 and chap. 26: 14, that there was an audible voice, not merely a spiritual impression produced on the mind of Saul. Observe the form of the question, Why persecutest thou me? not my disciples nor my church. Schaff 8. And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. 9. And they that were with me saw indeed light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice him that spake to me. the of 10. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus ; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. 11. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. 12. And 2 one Ananias, a devout man according to thou me? And I answered, 8 Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou perse cutest. And they that were 9 with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. And I said, What shall I do, 10 Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I could not see for 11 the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, 12 a devout man according to Christ speaks of himself as persecuted by Saul, because "in all the affliction of his people he is afflicted" (Isa. 63:9), and "whoso toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye" (Zech. 2:8). — Cambridge Bible. 8. Who art thou, Lord? Observe that Paul does not yield allegiance to the unknown speaker until he has questioned him. - Abbott. Paul seeks to know more about his duty. He is not credulous, but searches, inquires, asks for more light. I am Jesus of Nazareth. The one you have despised as a Nazarene, yet this glory you see is mine. Whom thou persecutest. This showed Paul's guilt. Paul had not cared so much about the people, who were unknown to him, and despised by him, but he had hated Jesus, and the religion he taught, and the kingdom he had founded. Christ calls us as he called Paul. He asks sinners now why they hate him and his kingdom; why they oppose him, and turn from him, and reject his offers of salvation. 9. They that were with me... heard not the voice. They heard a noise (9: 7), but did not hear the words, nor recognize them as conveying a meaning. THIRD STEP. Obedience. 10. What shall I do, Lord? Paul was now willing to obey, but does not know what to do, and so asks the Lord to show him. The inquiry thus represents the natural inquiry of the awakened soul in its first surprise, when the claim of Christ as Master is really brought home to the consciousness. But the appellation Lord indicates, in Paul's mind, a recognition of a Lord and Master in the Jesus whom he had before been persecuting, and the very form of the question implies a readiness to do what the Lord bids him, whatever that may be; and this implication is confirmed by his obedience to the divine directions. · Abbott. Go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee. He was not yet prepared for the full revelation of his duty. It takes time for the new thoughts and purposes to become calm and clear, for his decisions to mature. God leads us step by step. - P. Christ did not give the instruction himself. He employed human instrumentality, establishing a precedent for his church, hearing his voice through his ministers. So the angel did not teach Cornelius, but directed him to apply to St. Peter. Cook. FOURTH STEP. A great conflict. 11. And when I could not see. We are told in 9:9 that he was blind for three days, and did neither eat nor drink. The blindness of Paul was no doubt mercifully intended by Providence to strengthen the powers of his mind, by compelling him to attend without distraction to the great matters which had been placed before him. Without doubt these days of blindness were a season of intense inward conflict, alone and in darkness. Could he give up all his ambitious hopes? Could he leave rank, wealth, honor, friends? Could he enter the service of one so despised, and suffer reproach and danger and death? And all for what? - P. FIFTH STEP. Help from other Christians. 12. And one Ananias. A disciple, but also a devout Jew, who strictly kept the law. The special description here was obviously given with a view to conciliate those who were listening to the speech. One such as Ananias was, was not likely to have connected himself with a profane blasphemer, nor to have received the converted persecutor except on evidence that the change had come from God. · Plumptre. the law, having a good report of all the 2 Jews which dwelt there, 13. Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14. And he said, 3 The God of our fathers 4 hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and 5 see 6 that Just One, and 7 shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 8 the law, well reported of by in that very hour I looked up on him. And he said, The 14 God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be a 15 15. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of witness for him unto all men 9 what thou hast seen and heard. of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest 16 and wash away thy sins, call 16. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be bap- thou? arise, and be baptized, tized, 10 and wash away thy sins, 11 calling on the name of the Lord. 13. Brother Saul, receive thy sight. Ananias helped Paul in two ways. First, he was the means of giving him his sight. When the light had dawned upon his soul, it was then fitting that light should come to his bodily eyes. With this light he received the gift of the Holy Spirit (9: 17), who has come to lead us into all truth. P. The blindness was an emblem of the darkness and prejudice which before veiled his eyes; and the falling off of the scales represented the clearer views of divine truths which he should afterwards receive. Gloag. 14. ence. The God of our fathers hath chosen thee. This announcement of his life work was the second help Ananias gave Paul. The expression "the God of our fathers was conciliatory. Hath chosen. Appointed. Committed this work into his hands. Paul's experience would naturally lead him to emphasize the divine side of the Christian's experiHe chose Christ's work, but more clearly than can often be seen Christ first chose him. That thou shouldest know his will. Christ imparted the knowledge of the Gospel to Paul, and thus we know he was divinely guided in this unfolding of the Gospel scheme. He wrote more epistles than all the other apostles together. And see that Just One. That is, Jesus, who had, as we here learn, appeared to Paul in the bright light three days before. Paul lays great stress on his having seen Christ (Acts 9:17, 27; 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:8). That sight of Jesus was a perpetual blessing and power to him. We too should pray, "We would see Jesus." - P. SEVENTH STEP. A new motive. 15. For thou shalt be his witness. This was a strong motive why Paul should yield to the service of Christ. Here was something worthy of all his energies, and talents, and education, and ambitions. Here was something that would make his life worth the living. Not mere ease and happiness, but a worthy work and object in life is the strongest motive for becoming a Christian.-P. What thou hast seen and heard. He was to testify to what God had taught him, and what he had experienced. This is the duty and privilege of all Christians. EIGHTH STEP. Confession of Christ in baptism. 16. Why tarriest thou? Hesitate no longer. Commit yourself wholly and everlastingly, irreversibly to the Lord Jesus. Arise, and be baptized. The appointed way of uniting with the church of Christ, and publicly professing faith in him. Paul's experience shows the importance of baptism.-P. Baptism represents the new or spiritual birth, by which the subject of it enters on a life of trust in Christ and peace with God. - Hackett. And wash away thy sins. Baptism presupposes repentance, and he who repents and believes has the promise of the forgiveness of sins. - Rev. Com. Observe that redemption does not merely relieve from punishment, but washes away sin (Isa. 1: 18), and that sin is washed away not by baptism, but by the gift of God which is accepted in baptism (see Ezek. 36:25-27). NINTH STEP. A life of prayer. Calling on the name of the Lord. Evidently Christ, as being the person mentioned |