The Release Of Paul And Silas
THE RELEASE OF PAUL AND SILAS
ACTS 16:35-40
Paul was prepared to use his official status when it suited the preaching of the gospel.
Why did the magistrates change their minds and send the policeman to discharge the prisoners (16:35)? And why did Paul refuse to accept his freedom in this way (16:37)? Was it a fit of pique which made him disgruntled? Or a desire to see justice done by demanding a full apology? Or (more likely) an insistence on an official release and admission of error so that there would be no recurrence of this kind of hindrance to his missionary labors?
Anyhow, he acted clearly within his civil rights and got what he demanded even to the full apology and regret that they had blundered into beating and imprisoning Roman citizens whose case had not been investigated (16:37).
There are some pointers here to aid our thinking about the Christian’s civil and social responsibility. Notice how Paul and Silas stand for their civic rights (Romans 13:1ff.), yet, once they have attained their aim, they comply with lawful authority and refuse to be an “oddball” or social misfit (1 Peter 2:13-17).
Notes 16:35: the accurate terminology is again to be seen. The “praetors” send their “lictors” (lit. rod-bearers) who carried as a badge of office bundles of rods bound together round an axe. 16:37: Paul uses the technical term “uncondemned” (re incognita, “without investigating the case”)—a monstrous crime against Roman citizens, though not without precedent. Paul and Silas (16:37: “us”) may have claimed their exemption from punishment on the previous day, but have been shouted down by the mob (16:22). 16:39: a noticeable change of face from 16:35. 16:40: Lydia’s home was possibly the church’s meeting-place, and housed a virile and affectionate company of believers to whom Paul became specially attached. Read his letter to the Philippians, detecting its warm, pastoral tones.
Think over “One cannot help feeling that this is the best story Luke has given us so far” (Findlay). Do you agree?