Acts 22:19

Thursday, 7 December 2023

“So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. Acts 22:19

The verbs are all present participles – “And I said, ‘Lord they know that I was imprisoning and scourging in those synagogues those believing on You’” (CG).

In the previous verse, the Lord instructed Paul to get out of Jerusalem because those in the city would not receive his testimony. Of course, like Ananias in Acts 9, Paul’s human nature decided to argue against the Lord’s word instead of simply complying with it. Therefore, he tells the crowd before him, “And I said, ‘Lord they know.’”

Despite the divine warning, Paul felt compelled to defend his presence in Jerusalem, as if his words would sway the Lord to change His mind or something. And so, he continues, saying, “that I was imprisoning and scourging in those synagogues.”

The word translated as imprisoning is found only here in Scripture, phulakizó. It is derived from phulax, a guard, or a sentinel. Thus, it signifies the act of incarceration. The word translated as scourging means to flay. By implication, then, it means to scourge, which can flay the skin. However, it can also mean to simply thrash or beat another person. In this case, he continues speaking to the Lord saying, “those believing on You.”

Paul was a persecutor of the very faith he was now being persecuted over. He had converted, but his change would not positively affect those he later encountered in Jerusalem. He was given authority to do these things, the people of Jerusalem knew this, and yet Jesus knew that his conversion would be upsetting to them. None of this was unknown to the Lord, and Paul’s appeal would not change the matter.

Life application: Despite the divine warning, Paul felt compelled to defend his presence in Jerusalem to the Lord. Sharing that now with the crowd who was accusing him actually serves a two-fold purpose in the ears of his hearers.

First, he was opposed to the faith that he now professed. Thus, they would know that his actions were sincere for the tenets of being an observant Jew, but that he realized that these tenets did not extend to persecuting Christ’s followers. Instead, those actions were opposed to the true faith of an observant Jew.

Secondly, it showed the audience that it was they, not him, who stood opposed to what was correct and proper. Though he had imprisoned and beaten thosethese followers of Jesus in defiant opposition to Him, his zeal was misdirected. Thus, their zeal at his arrest is similarly misdirected.

Therefore, Paul could use his own failing (meaning arguing against the Lord’s word) to reinforce his present position before the people. However, this doesn’t change the fact that he originally argued instead of simply obeying. As noted, this is what Ananias did in Acts 9. It is also what Moses did in Exodus 4 and Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1.

Despite this obviously being a human trait that is hard to overcome, as evidencedevinced by these and other examples in Scripture, we can learn from them. The word of the Lord is now complete. It is written, and it is authoritative. And yet, people who have believed on the Lord and been saved will still argue against the word of the Lord.

We rebelliously buck against the instructions laid out there, acting as if we know better than He does. Until we are willing to accept His word as written and in proper context, we are no different than those who stood right in front of the Lord and argued why He must be wrong.

Let us not rebel against His word. Instead, we should be willing to comply with its directives. The Lord is infinitely more intelligent than we are. When He directs, it is for a good purpose. Therefore, let us obediently submit to His will.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for those times when we question Your word, either openly or through our general conduct as we walk before You. Give us knowledge to understand the things that are often difficult to grasp and the wisdom to apply that knowledge to our lives. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.