Acts 23:11-35 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as you have testified of me in Jerusalem… On two other occasions a special Divine encouragement was given to Paul similar to the one here (Acts 18:9, 10; Acts 27:23, 24). At other times he acted under the general promises which God makes to all His people; but in these instances, special difficulties made a special promise appropriate. Note — I. THE DIFFICULTIES AND DANGERS WHICH SURROUNDED PAUL. 1. The conspiracy which had been secretly formed against his life. Of this it may be remarked — (1) That it was made sufficiently strong to render success morally certain. More than forty men who bound themselves over to destruction — to the wrath of God — if they did not succeed. (2) It might be presumed that Lysias would readily grant a request which would relieve him of embarrassment. (3) Had the request been granted, it would have been an easy matter to have carried their purpose into execution, for it is not probable that a strong guard would have been sent on an errand apparently so peaceful. In the vision Paul was assured of protection from this danger; and he was rescued in a most remarkable manner (vers. 16-24). 2. The trials before the Roman governors of Syria. The character of Felix (chap. Acts 24); a man corrupt in heart and life (ver. 25); ready to be bribed (ver. 26); disposed to do anything to gratify the Jews (ver. 27); afforded little reason to hope for justice. The probability that Paul would be delivered up to the Jews, and life again endangered, was not less in the trial before Festus who (chap. Acts 25) was equally disposed to conciliate the Jews (ver. 9); which led Paul to appeal to Caesar, and secure what had been promised him in the vision. It is easy to see how, when brought before Felix and Festus, the promise that he should "bear witness at Rome" was necessary to sustain him. 3. The voyage to Rome. In the storm, and shipwreck, all human probability of reaching Rome would fail entirely. Amidst these scenes, Paul could not but fall back on this Divine assurance. II. THE ASSURANCE GIVEN IS THE VISION, as an illustration of the arrangements which God has made to keep us from despondency. 1. There is need of such an arrangement. We are often surrounded with perils, and are disappointed in our plans. We see no egress from our difficulties; no way of escape from our danger. Obviously we need some arrangement that will inspire hope. 2. We are secretly conscious to ourselves that there is such an arrangement. The world, though full of disappointment and trouble, is not inactive or despairing. There is a conscious something — which inspirits the mariner, the warrior, the farmer, the merchant, the traveller, the Christian. What is this arrangement? How does it appear that it is of Divine origin, and marked by Divine benevolence? In reply to these questions I shall advert — (1) To the records of the past. We have unconsciously before us, in our difficulties, the memory of the general success which crowns the conflicts of life. The arrangements of God show that the general tendency of things is favourable to effort and to virtue, and preserve the world from idleness and despair. (2) To the general promises of the Bible. In reference to temporal matters, the promises in regard to success in this life (Isaiah 33:15, 16; Psalm 37:25; 1 Timothy 4:8; Psalm 84:11; Philippians 4:19; Psalm 23:1; Hebrews 13:5), and temporal good (Leviticus 19:25; Leviticus 26:4; Deuteronomy 7:13; Deuteronomy 16:15; Deuteronomy 28:4; Psalm 67:6) are of a general character; but in reference to the future life they are absolute (Matthew 4:7, 8; Mark 16:16; John 6:37; Revelation 22:17). That there are dangers and enemies in the way of our salvation, and that it requires a struggle is certain; but the promise of victory is positive. (3) To what may be designated an internal confidence of success and safety. How much of hope there is in the young man, the mariner, the merchant, the farmer, etc. God has created the mind buoyant, elastic, hopeful. He leads men to think of recovery and success, rather than to anticipate disaster and defeat. He has thus said to every man, not in distinct vision, yet really, "Be of good cheer!" (A. Barnes, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. |
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