Acts 21:13-14 Then Paul answered, What mean you to weep and to break my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only… I. THE OCCASION. 1. Paul was now at Caesarea, in Philip's house (ver. 8). Philip, that was injured by Paul (Acts 8:4, 5) a persecutor, is easily reconciled with Paul a convert. We should not be strange to those whom Christ has accepted. 2. There Agabus prophesieth of Paul's bonds. Agabus was ever a prophet of evil tidings (Acts 11:28). God will be glorified by all manner of dispositions. Some, like Agabus, come always with a sad message in their mouths; and yet these have their use (1 Kings 22:8). That may be true which is not pleasing. But what needs Paul so often to be warned of his bonds? (Acts 20:22, 23). That he might be thoroughly prepared. God doth not love to take His children unprovided. If a sudden and unexpected flood of miseries break in upon us, it is not because we want warning, but because we will not take warning. II. THE CARRIAGE OF THE SAINTS UPON THIS OCCASION. 1. Their entire affection to Paul (ver. 12). This entreaty did not proceed from self-love, for they were resolved to go with him (ver. 15), but zeal for God's glory. The lives and liberties of those that are eminent instruments of God's glory are very dear and precious to God's faithful people. But was this well done to persuade him? Yes; for we know of no command they had to the contrary. All desires against God's secret will are not unlawful, when we afterwards submit to His revealed will (1 Kings 8:18). Satan often laboureth to take us off from our duty by the persuasion of our loving friends, who mean us well in what they say to us (Matthew 16:22, 23). 2. Paul's firm resolution: "He would not be persuaded." Did Paul do well in this? How doth this agree with James 3:17? I answer — In our duty it is praiseworthy to be easy to be entreated, but not from our duty. Paul went bound in the spirit to Jerusalem. (1) No persuasions should turn us out of the way wherein God commands us to walk. So Christ, when he was desired to avoid suffering, which was the end of His coming into the world, rejected the motion. (2) No dangers. So when the king of Babylon threatened the three children, they resolutely answered (Daniel 3:18). 3. Their discretion, "when he would not be persuaded, they ceased." It is the disposition of humble spirits not to be peremptory of their own conceits, but to submit to those that are wiser than themselves (Matthew 3:15; Acts 11:18). 4. Their piety, the ground of their discretion: "The will of the Lord be done."Submission is required — 1. To God's intended will, while it is yet kept secret. In every business we should ask — (1) His leave (Judges 1:1), By this means we acknowledge God, our dependence upon Him, and His dominion over us. It is robbery to use any goods without the owner's leave. We and all ours are the goods of God. (2) His blessing. When the event is uncertain, beg the Lord's concurrence, and the blessing of His providence (Jeremiah 10:23; Genesis 24:12). 2. To His determination. Submitting all things to God's will after the event is patience, and before the event is a notable piece of faith (James 4:15; 1 Corinthians 4:19). This was a truth evident to the heathens. Plato brings in Alcibiades asking Socrates how he should speak of future events, and in what manner he should express himself; and Socrates answers, Even as God will. 3. Our purposes and desires must be so moderated that we may be forearmed for all events (2 Samuel 15:25, 26). Such a holy indifferency should there be upon our spirits, that we should be like a die in the hand of Providence, to be cast high or low according as it falls. 4. When the event depends upon a duty, we must do the duty, and refer the event to God (1 Corinthians 9:16). It is a base principle to say we must be sure of success before we will engage for God. 5. In a dubious case observe the leading of Providence. The Israelites were not to remove but as they saw the pillar of cloud before them (chap. Acts 16:10). But when the event is declared in God's providence, then we have nothing to do but plainly to submit, and that very quietly and contentedly, with hope and encouragement in the Lord. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. |
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