S – Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of an important city. Now I ask you, let me speak to the people.

Acts 21:39 CSB

O – Commentary:

Romans and Greeks in this period often looked down on Egyptians (21:38), but Tarsus was a respected city. Citizenship in a Greek city gave one higher status than the many who were merely “residents” of the city (who were in turn considered above transients and rural people). One became a citizen only by birth in a citizen family or as a grant from the city authorities. City pride and rivalry were fierce in antiquity, especially in Asia Minor, and Tarsus was a prominent city. It was one of antiquity’s chief educational centers. Rome had made Tarsus a “free” city, the highest honor a city in the empire could receive next to being a Roman *colony. Tarsus’s citizens were not automatically Roman citizens (it was not a Roman colony), but dual citizenship was allowed in this period. Paul saves his disclosure of Roman citizenship as a trump card in case he needs it later. Although most Jews were not citizens of Gentile cities, some of their most prominent members were.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – God uses all of our story.  Paul’s family could not forecast that being a citizen of Tarsus would open doors for him to share the gospel.  He will use all of our journey to prepare and set us up to do his will.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the King of Kings.  Thank you for all the gifts, talents and abilities you have blessed us with.  We surrender them to you to use to accomplish your will and purpose.  We are available to be used by you to share the gospel today.