Acts 21:13

Sunday, 22 October 2023

Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:13

To match the Greek, the words read, “Then answered Paul, ‘What do you, weeping and pulverizing my heart? For I hold readily not only to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus’” (CG).

The previous verse told of those around Paul begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. With that stated, it next says, “Then answered Paul, ‘What do you?”

The word means to do or to make. In essence, their words produce an action, making something happen. Today, we would say, “What are you doing to me?” Paul then explains what it is they were doing, saying, “weeping and pulverizing my heart.”

The first action is that of those with Paul, weeping. The response to their weeping is then Paul’s action. They were pulverizing his heart. Here, Luke introduces another word only seen once in the New Testament, sunthruptó. Strong’s defines it as break in pieces, crush, or thoroughly weaken. It is derived from two words signifying “with” and “to crumble.” Thus, one can think of someone grabbing Paul’s heart and crushing it so that it crumbles. Hence, pulverize gives a good sense of what he means.

His words indicate that their weeping was only making matters worse because, as he next says, “For I hold readily.” It is an adverb. Thus, the word readily appropriately gives the sense of what is being conveyed. He was set and would not be dissuaded from his mission, and he was readily set to continue on it, even if the extreme occurred. He conveys this first in relation to the prophecy, saying, “not only to be bound.”

This is what Agabus had prophesied. It included being handed over to the Gentiles. If such happened, who knows what might then occur? Paul, evaluating the matter and considering the greatest potential threat continues with, “but also to die at Jerusalem.”

Being bound meant to be considered a lawbreaker. In such a state, various judgments could be rendered, up to and including execution. This meant little to Paul if he had successfully done what he was called to do. And, of course, his calling was by the Lord. If the Lord determined that was the path for him to go, then he would take it “for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

It was Jesus who had called him. It was Jesus who had saved him and given him his commission. It was the Lord who had fashioned him and who would someday transform Paul’s lowly body to be like His. So why should death be any concern at all? He was fully accepting of whatever was to come because he belonged to the Lord Jesus. The victory was already won, and the path to eternal life was secured for him.

Life application: The words in this verse are emphatic. Paul essentially says, “You are breaking my heart.” “I, for my part, am ready . . .” His intent wasn’t merely a stoic resolve. Rather, his heart was truly broken by their sadness, but he didn't want his determination to be weakened because of it. Instead of worrying about what might happen, he had his eyes fixed on Jesus and his heart set on glorifying the Lord with his life. He was, as it were, an example of the words penned by Solomon -

“For love is as strong as death.” Song of Solomon 8:6

In the seven letters to the seven churches, Jesus said to the church at Ephesus, “...you have left your first love.” Paul was a man of doctrine. He never waffled on it, and he directly spoke against what was incorrect, even when it meant openly confronting another apostle. His inspired words are what set doctrine for the church age, and he would readily stand against anyone who incorrectly taught them or misapplied them in his walk.

Despite this, Paul remembered his first love before all other things. He fixed his eyes on Jesus in everything he did, including arguing sound doctrine, for the sake of that love he felt. Sound doctrine is important, but other than accepting the simple gospel as it is properly understood, doctrine is not what saves a person. Instead, it is what allows a person to mature. In maturing, the love one has for Christ should only deepen.

If, however, the doctrine becomes the most important point to a person, his love will grow cold. Be sure to include Jesus in every step you take towards full Christian maturity. Without it, you will never attain what you are attempting to reach. Keep the love of Jesus as the paramount point of what you do, and you will do well.

Lord Jesus, may we never turn our eyes from You in our attempt to become doctrinally sound believers. We can dot every i and cross every t, but without having our hearts directed toward You, our walk will be dark and cold. Help us to remember this most important point. We love You, our God and our Lord. Amen.