Acts 28:10

Monday, 10 June 2024

They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary. Acts 28:10

The words are much sparser in the Greek, and much must be inferred, “And who honored us many honors, and going up they laid upon for the necessity.” (CG).

The previous verse noted that the others on the island, having heard Paul healed Publius’ father, came to him with their diseases and were healed. Because of this, it next says, “And who honored us many honors.”

In other words, because Paul was able to heal them, and because he spent his time doing so, the kindness of Paul and Luke was rewarded by the people. The word translated as honor indicates a price. Vincent's Word Studies says –

“The word was applied to payments for professional services, and that fact may have influenced Luke in selecting it; but it is evidently not used in that sense here.”

Whether it was payment or gifts, honors of some tangible nature were bestowed upon them for their efforts. However, other scholars disagree. Some of them show concern that accepting compensation for their work would be a violation of Matthew 10 –

“These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: ‘Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.’” Matthew 10:5-10

There is absolutely no reason to accept that. Those words of Jesus were to the disciples, in Israel, under the time of the law, and for a specific purpose. If those words applied to the situation now, everything that Paul and Luke had done would be a violation of Jesus’ words because He said, “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles.” But this is the main focus of Paul’s ministry.

Such an evaluation is not a proper handling of Scripture. And more, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:3-12 concerning the rights of accepting payment for such work. He also notes it to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:18 concerning receiving compensation.

It is stated explicitly and implicitly elsewhere as well. If those on the island felt that they should pay for the help they had received, and they freely offered it to those who had lost everything, then there is no reason to assume that Paul and Luke should not receive it – whether merely as a gift or as a sort of payment. Understanding this, it next says, “and going up they laid upon for the necessity.”

As noted above, the words are sparse. The meaning is that upon sailing (because to sail from land is considered going up), the same people from the island heaped everything necessary for the travel upon Paul and Luke.

This means that two separate things occurred. They were first rewarded for their efforts of healing the people, and then they were assisted in their continued traveling to Rome. Of this verse, the Geneva Bible says, “God does well to strangers for his children's sake.”

Life application: When reading the Bible, the context of what is being said must be maintained. For example, we cannot force the words of Jesus in the synoptic gospels into what is going on in the book of Acts and the epistles. Jesus was speaking to Israel, under the law, about matters of the law and of the kingdom to come.

Care must be taken to ensure that if something is cited from the gospels, that it actually applies to whatever point is being made. To not do so can form a logical contradiction in one’s theology. For example, Jesus said –

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36

People in the church will often cite these words, applying them to the life of believers today. Jesus’ words in this passage are not intended for those of the church. He is speaking to the people of Israel who were under the law and in anticipation of the tribulation period which comes after the church age.

Those in the church during this dispensation do not need to pray that they will be counted worthy to escape those things. They will be taken out at the rapture before those days transpire. We also do not need to pray that we will be worthy to stand before the Son of Man. Rather –

“...giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:12-14

Mixing matters between dispensations will always result in poor theology. Normally, it will result in a complete contradiction in what is said in Scripture. We are qualified to be partakers. We have been delivered! Read and apply the words of the Bible in their intended context and your doctrine will be sound.

Almighty God, help us to rightly divide Your word. May our evaluation of it be based on what You are doing in history according to the dispensation in which events are being referred. In this, our understanding of what is being said will be proper. Help us always to remember the proper context as we seek out what is being conveyed. Amen.