Acts 22:29

Sunday, 17 December 2023

Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. Acts 22:29

The words are more literally rendered, “Immediately, therefore, those being about to examine him departed from him. And also, the commander was afraid, having ascertained that he is a Roman, and because he had bound him” (CG).

Paul just confirmed to the commander that he was born a citizen. With that, it next says, “Immediately, therefore, those being about to examine him departed from him.”

Oopsie. As soon as the words left Paul's lips, they stepped back from his “examination.” The word here is used in a euphemistic sense for scourging him. They would have done so until he spoke whatever they wanted to hear. Hence, it was an examination.

This is the second and last use of the word anetazó in Scripture. The first was in verse 22:24. As noted then, it signifies thorough examining, as if a person were on trial, such as a witness. In Paul’s case, the examining was to be done in conjunction with torture. There is a point where even the hardest of men will yield under such inquisition, although that point may lead to death.

As for Paul, any thought of the examination continuing was ended. One might ask why he didn’t object to the punishment he and Silas received in Acts 16, but he objected now in Jerusalem. The reason is that their beating in Acts 16 was with rods. Though painful, it would not be life-threatening. This treatment in Jerusalem would have resulted in a great loss of blood and an extended period of convalescence, or possibly death.

Therefore, and knowing that he could use this to his advantage, he appealed to his citizenship. Understanding this, it next says, “And also, the commander was afraid.”

The word afraid could be an understatement, depending on those appointed over him. He had almost degraded a fellow citizen in one of the most humiliating and painful examinations that could be imagined. Having even prepared Paul for this by stretching him out and readying the scourges was intolerable treatment. He knew this, “having ascertained that he is a Roman, and because he had bound him.”

One thing is certain, it would not be wrong to bind him in chains. This is known because Paul will be in chains later, even though a Roman. Therefore, the illegal binding is rather having strapped him into a position where he could be tortured and then binding him there with leather straps.

Life application: Imagine yourself in a crowd, and the authorities were about to execute a baby in front of her mother. Because of your position within society, you have the ability to appeal on behalf of the child, thus saving its life. Would you remain silent, or would you speak up for the child?

Any person with even a modicum of God-centered morals would immediately speak out. To not do so would mean you were actively complicit in the murder of the child. In Proverbs 3:27, it says –

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.”

This sentiment is not unique in Scripture. Rather, we are to speak up and speak out about such matters. So why should you think your vote is any different? You are a citizen of a nation. If your nation allows you to vote and you withhold your vote, knowing that an ungodly person may prevail in the election, you are working against what is good.

Likewise, if you vote for a person who supports abortion, you are actively working against God’s intent for human life. In the US, for example, abortion on demand is the platform of the democrat party. If a Christian votes for a democrat, he is – by default – supporting the murder of the unborn.

Do you not fear God? There is a judgment coming, even for believers. We cannot be held guiltless when we work against the moral principles God has laid out in Scripture. Be wise and be discerning. Use your citizenship through the power of the vote to glorify God.

Lord God, please give us wise and discerning hearts concerning matters of morality as outlined in Your word. May we apply our lives and our decisions in such matters to uphold what is right and good and to stem the tide of wickedness that will arise if we fail to act. Yes, Lord, give us wisdom in this way. Amen.