stedfast in the faith, growing more and more experienced, to a good old age. And with these old
disciples one would choose to lodge; for the multitude of their years shall teach wisdom. Many
brethren at Jerusalem received Paul gladly. We think, perhaps, that if we had him among us, we
should gladly receive him; but we should not, if, having his doctrine, we do not gladly receive that.
Verses 19–26
Paul ascribed all his success to God, and to God they gave the praise. God had honoured him
more than any of the apostles, yet they did not envy him; but on the contrary, glorified the Lord.
They could not do more to encourage Paul to go on cheerfully in his work. James and the elders
of the church at Jerusalem, asked Paul to gratify the believing Jews, by some compliance with the
ceremonial law. They thought it was prudent in him to conform thus far. It was great weakness to
be so fond of the shadows, when the substance was come. The religion Paul preached, tended not
to destroy the law, but to fulfil it. He preached Christ, the end of the law for righteousness, and
repentance and faith, in which we are to make great use of the law. The weakness and evil of the
human heart strongly appear, when we consider how many, even of the disciples of Christ, had not
due regard to the most eminent minister that even lived. Not the excellence of his character, nor
the success with which God blessed his labours, could gain their esteem and affection, seeing that
he did not render the same respect as themselves to mere ceremonial observances. How watchful
should we be against prejudices! The apostles were not free from blame in all they did; and it would
be hard to defend Paul from the charge of giving way too much in this matter. It is vain to attempt
to court the favour of zealots, or bigots to a party. This compliance of Paul did not answer, for the
very thing by which he hoped to pacify the Jews, provoked them, and brought him into trouble.
But the all-wise God overruled both their advice and Paul's compliance with it, to serve a better
purpose than was intended. It was in vain to think of pleasing men who would be pleased with
nothing but the rooting out of Christianity. Integrity and uprightness will be more likely to preserve
us than insincere compliances. And it should warn us not to press men to doing what is contrary
to their own judgment to oblige us.
Verses 27–40
In the temple, where Paul should have been protected as in a place of safety, he was violently
set upon. They falsely charged him with ill doctrine and ill practice against the Mosaic ceremonies.
It is no new thing for those who mean honestly and act regularly, to have things laid to their charge
which they know not and never thought of. It is common for the wise and good to have that charged
against them by malicious people, with which they thought to have obliged them. God often makes
those a protection to his people, who have no affection to them, but only have compassion for
sufferers, and regard to the public peace. And here see what false, mistaken notions of good people
and good ministers, many run away with. But God seasonably interposes for the safety of his
servants, from wicked and unreasonable men; and gives them opportunities to speak for themselves,
to plead for the Redeemer, and to spread abroad his glorious gospel.