Paul Arrives In Jerusalem
PAUL ARRIVES IN JERUSALEM
ACTS 21:15-26
Paul’s personal rule was never to offend others unnecessarily. He was not being insincere, but sensitive to the attitudes of other believers.
James, the Lord’s brother and leader of the Jerusalem church, gave the apostolic travelers a cautious welcome (21:18ff.). Their response to Paul’s celebration of the gospel and its success among the Gentile peoples (21:19) matched his enthusiasm with a sobering reflection that his ministry had been a source of embarrassment, partly based on a false report (21:21) and partly caused by the logical conclusion of Paul’s doctrine of salvation by faith alone.
“What then is to be done?” was a natural question, demanding some action (21:22) to allay Jewish suspicions that Paul was advocating a wholesale rejection of the Jewish law and its relevance to Jews who became Christians. Underlying the fear of the Jewish party was undoubtedly a healthy regard for moral standards, and the insinuation that the Pauline message led inevitably to antinomianism—ie a casting-off of all moral restraints in the interests of a supposed freedom and championing of divine grace (as in Romans 6:1ff.; Galatians 5:13)—which dogged Paul all his life.
In fact, Paul had never quarreled with the use of the Law for Jewish believers (see Romans 2:25; 3:1ff.,31; 7:12) and had never renounced his Jewish heritage (1 Corinthians 7:18; 9:20; 2 Corinthians 11:21ff.). It was an attempt to shackle Gentile converts with the Law which called forth his loudest protest, as in Galatians, which was written directly to a Gentile-Christian church in a controversial situation.
The evidence for his deep loyalty to his ancestry was provided by his acceptance of a Nazirite vow, both for himself and four men whose expenses—eight pigeons and two lambs in all (referred to in 21:24)—he paid. He is reminded of the earlier apostolic decree, made binding on the Gentile churches and since this code (see on Acts 15) did not infringe Gentile liberty in Christ, he was willing to comply (21:26).
Notes 21:16: Mnason is called “an early disciple”—ie a foundation-member of the church since its beginnings. 21:19: “he related … the things God had done among the Gentiles”—as on a previous occasion (15:3f.,12). 21:20: a true report of what was said, but was the statement exaggerated? 21:21: “the customs” are ethical standards. Hence the suggestion that Paul was leading people astray. 21:23: Paul had taken such a vow earlier (18:18). He had no need to purify himself from defilement (21:24), but conceded the point (21:26) out of deference to the elders. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 is well illustrated.
Thought Two powerful ideas dominate Paul’s thinking and action: the freedom of the gospel, and the unity of the church. Consider these in the light of today.