PAUL ENCOURAGED BY ROMAN CHRISTIANS

Passage: Acts 28:11-22

Key verse: 15

NIV

Paul’s Arrival at Rome

11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship(A) with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters(B) who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters(C) there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.(D)

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.(E) When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,(F) although I have done nothing against our people(G) or against the customs of our ancestors,(H) I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me(I) and wanted to release me,(J) because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.(K) 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.(L) I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel(M) that I am bound with this chain.”(N)

21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people(O) who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”(P)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Paul Arrives at Rome

11 After three months we set sail in (A)a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods[a] as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found (B)brothers[b] and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And (C)the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, (D)Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, (E)Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.

Paul in Rome

17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, (F)though I had done nothing against our people or (G)the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they (H)wished to set me at liberty, (I)because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled (J)to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against (K)my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is (L)because of (M)the hope of Israel that I am wearing (N)this (O)chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of (P)the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this (Q)sect we know that everywhere (R)it is spoken against.”

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 28:11 That is, the Greek gods Castor and Pollux
  2. Acts 28:14 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 15, 21
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

After three months on Malta, their journey continued, finally reaching Rome. To their surprise, some brothers and sisters—fellow Christians—were there to meet them, having traveled long distances to welcome Paul. After such trials, seeing these people led Paul to thank God and be greatly encouraged. Paul was such a great apostle, but he too needed the encouragement of Christian fellowship and hospitality. Let us take such opportunities to bless and encourage others, as well as to receive such hospitality.

The Roman authorities seemed to be thankful for Paul, as they did not put him into prison but instead allowed him to live on his own, just with a guard. Paul immediately reached out to the local Jewish leaders, to share his reason for being arrested. But more importantly, he wanted to share with them the hope of Israel that he found in the gospel of Jesus. They had not heard anything about Paul yet, so it was the right time to engage them. Jesus had told Paul clearly what his plan for him was in Rome (23:11), and Paul wasted no time in testifying.

Prayer: Father, thank you the encouragement of Christian fellowship and hospitality. Help me to be one quick to encourage others, and grateful to receive love. Help me to act on opportunities you present to me daily.

One Word: Give and receive encouragement