conduct astonished the Roman officer, who supposed that Paul must have committed some great
crime. Paul pleaded his privilege as a Roman citizen, by which he was exempted from all trials and
punishments which might force him to confess himself guilty. The manner of his speaking plainly
shows what holy security and serenity of mind he enjoyed. As Paul was a Jew, in low circumstances,
the Roman officer questioned how he obtained so valuable a distinction; but the apostle told him
he was free born. Let us value that freedom to which all the children of God are born; which no
sum of money, however large, can purchase for those who remain unregenerate. This at once put
a stop to his trouble. Thus many are kept from evil practices by the fear of man, who would not be
held back from them by the fear of God. The apostle asks, simply, Is it lawful? He knew that the
God whom he served would support him under all sufferings for his name's sake. But if it were not
lawful, the apostle's religion directed him, if possible, to avoid it. He never shrunk from a cross
which his Divine Master laid upon his onward road; and he never stept aside out of that road to
take one up.
Chapter 23
Chapter Outline
Paul's defence before the council of the (1–5)
Jews.
Paul's defence. He receives a Divine (6–11)
assurance that he shall go to Rome.
The Jews conspire to kill Paul, Lysias sends (12–24)
him to Cesarea.
Lysias's letter to Felix. (25–35)Verses 1–5
See here the character of an honest man. He sets God before him, and lives as in his sight. He
makes conscience of what he says and does, and, according to the best of his knowledge, he keeps
from whatever is evil, and cleaves to what is good. He is conscientious in all his words and conduct.
Those who thus live before God, may, like Paul, have confidence both toward God and man. Though
the answer of Paul contained a just rebuke and prediction, he seems to have been too angry at the
treatment he received in uttering them. Great men may be told of their faults, and public complaints
may be made in a proper manner; but the law of God requires respect for those in authority.
Verses 6–11
The Pharisees were correct in the faith of the Jewish church. The Sadducees were no friends
to the Scripture or Divine revelation; they denied a future state; they had neither hope of eternal
happiness, nor dread of eternal misery. When called in question for his being a Christian, Paul