S – When the centurion heard this, he went and reported to the commander, saying, “What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 

²⁷ The commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” 

“Yes,” he said

Acts 22:26–27 CSB

O – Commentary:

In this period, Roman citizenship was not common in the east, especially among the non-elite, so no one had expected it for this prisoner. Paul might wait until he has been chained for the same reason as in 16:37: he now has legal room to maneuver against them. Law prohibited even binding a Roman citizen without trial; although not all governors followed the law, the tribune would be wise to avoid a breach that could bring him into trouble with the governor. If one claimed to be a citizen, officials were supposed to treat him as such until documentation could be procured or checked

 The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament,

A – Paul is strategic of knowing “Who he is.”  He used his citizenship of Tarsus earlier to save himself and now uses his Roman citizenship to do the same.  It was all part of God’s plan to get him to the right audience.  We need to be led by the Holy Spirit put ourselves into the “right” situations.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Lord of all.  We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us into situations today where we can be most effective for you.  We know who we are in you – we are created by you for a relationship with you.  You gift us with talents, abilities and a heart all for your pleasure.

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.

S – But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. 

 Acts 20:24 CSB

O – Paul is departing for Jerusalem, knowing there is pain waiting for him.  The value in his life is not for himself but those he shares the gospel.  He wants to finish his ministry strong and faithful.   The Gospel of God’s grace was shown to him when he was attacking the early church. Yet, God had compassion and mercy on him and saved him from his sins.

A – We need to finish our race like Paul.  He didn’t ask for perfection.  He yearned for faithful consistency in his ministry and walk with God.  We can do that.  Our lives share the story of what God has done for us in relationship. 

R – Heavenly Father, you are a holy and just God.  Empower us today to run the race you have for us today.  We grow from yesterday and cannot live in the future.  You give us today as an opportunity to walk with your presence and power.  Let our lives be a testimony of your love and grace.

S – When they had heard this, they were filled with rage and began to cry out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” ²⁹ So the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions. ³⁰ Although Paul wanted to go in before the people, the disciples did not let him

Acts 19:28–30 CSB

O –  Commentary:

The silversmiths, enraged at Paul by Demetrius’ speech, instigated a riot and rushed to the Ephesian theater, the largest place for an assembly of people in the city, capable of seating 25,000. As tokens of opposition the people seized Gaius and Aristarchus (cf. 20:4). Gaius was a common name; so it is doubtful this is the same man mentioned in Romans 16:23 and 1 Corinthians 1:14. Aristarchus is also mentioned in Acts 20:4 and 27:2. Evidently the two escaped with little or no injury.

19:30–31. These verses are important not only for what they directly state but also for what they imply. Paul was eager to defend the gospel, ready to take on his opponents! But the Christians did not let him

“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – I have seen the amphitheater on a trip to the site of ancient Ephesus.  It was easy to get to from the major parts of the city and market.  Knowing the culture of people gathering for such  demonstrations, you can see the mayor’s response was appropriate to calm the crowd.  You can also understand Paul wanting to share with such a crowd the good news of Christ.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are Lord of all.  We invite you to work in our hearts to be open to share and be quiet.  We need your wisdom and discernment to know when to do either one.  We ask that you lead us by your Holy Spirit today.

S – He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately

Acts 18:26 CSB

O – Commentary:

Apollos was an eloquent speaker with an excellent knowledge of the Scriptures (the OT). His knowledge about Jesus and the Holy Spirit was inadequate, though. He did not understand that believers could experience and enjoy the power of the Holy Spirit as a present energizing reality. Fortunately, Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and corrected his spiritual understanding.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – Apollos was bold in his expression of repentence and baptism.  He was missing the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. We all need others in our lives who can help us see our “blind spots.”  Apollos was a great teacher but became even stronger in his message when others gave him deeper insights.

R – Heavenly Father, you are creator of all things.  Please bring others we can trust to share our “blind spots” with us.  We cannot know or see ourselves like others do.  We invite you to use others to help us grow and mature in our lives.

S – For in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring

Acts 17:28 CSB

O – Commentary:

 For in Him we live (cf. Acts 17:25), and move, and have our being. Also Paul quoted the poet Aratus, from Paul’s homeland Cilicia: We are His offspring. This second quotation was from Aratus’ work Phainomena. All people—Athenians along with all others—are God’s offspring, not in the sense that they are all His redeemed children or in the sense that they all possess an element of deity, but in the sense that they are created by God and receive their very life and breath from Him 

“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Fascinating that Paul is quoting poets while talking to philosophers in Athens.  A great reminder that we need to know our audience when sharing the gospel.  It helps when we speak in a way they can latch onto the truths of God and apply them to their own lives.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  Empower us to share your love and heart to others in ways that have meaning to them.  We need to value them in our words and actions.

S – As she followed Paul and us she cried out, “These men, who are proclaiming to you a way of salvation, are the servants of the Most High God.” ¹⁸ She did this for many days. 

Paul was greatly annoyed. Turning to the spirit, he said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out right away. 

Ac 16:17–18 CSB

O – Commentary:

The second portrait of a changed life in Philippi is of a demon-possessed slave girl … a fortune-teller. • Even though the demon within her was stating the truth, Paul, like Jesus, did not permit it to proclaim the Christian message (cp. Mark 1:25, 34; 3:11–12; Luke 4:35, 41). The Lord had commanded that the gospel be proclaimed by his disciples, not by opponents (Matt 28:18–20; Luke 24:46–49; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 9:15; 26:15–18; see 22:15)

 New Living Translation Study Bible

A – There is power in the name of Jesus.  Paul used it to ensure the message of salvation was not associated with the demon speaking through the girl.  We must continue to look at our lives and message to ensure they are true and pure from sin.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the supreme and highest God.  Examine our hearts, lives and message of representing you.  We want truth and purity at the highest level.  Reveal to us if there is anything that would take away from people seeing you in us.

S – They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus.

Acts 15:39 CSB

O – Commentary:

The argument became such a sharp disagreement (paroxysmos, “provoking, stirring up, arousing,” the root of the Eng. “paroxysm”) that they parted company. The Lord overruled in this dissension for through it two missionary journeys instead of one were formed—one to Cyprus with Barnabas and Mark, and the other to Syria and Cilicia and ultimately Europe with Paul and Silas. Probably both Paul and Barnabas were right in their assessments of Mark. It may have been too soon for Mark to venture out with such a pro-Gentile apostle as Paul, but Barnabas certainly and correctly saw good raw material in his cousin Mark (cf. Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11; Phile. 24; 1 Peter 5:13). Paul later spoke of Barnabas in positive terms (1 Cor. 9:6; Col. 4:10). The Apostle Paul owed much to Barnabas and it appears they remained friends despite their contention over Mark.

“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scripture

A – There were two disagreements in this chapter.  The first settled in the Jewish Council and with great results.  This one between two leaders and also great results.  Even though they went separate ways, there was positive dialogue about the other later in the Bible.  Disagreements are going to happen.  In both, there was healthy communication, disagreement and here is the key – ongoing relationship. That is how you stay in unity when you are on opposite sides of a conflict.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Holy and just.  Empower us to have healthy conflict with others.  We can disagree and still remain in relationship with others.  Even if boundaries need to be established, we can honor and value others in our relationships.

S – When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” ¹² Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

 Acts 14:11–12 CSB

O – Commentary:

Zeus was the patron god of Lystra, and the city had a temple in his honor. They associated Barnabas with Zeus, perhaps because he was the more impressive figure, and Hermes was identified with Paul … since he was the chief speaker. The native people of Lystra thought that they were being treated to a divine visitation similar to a past mythological appearance cited by the poet Ovid (in which the gods Zeus and Hermes came to visit the area but were unrecognized except by an old couple; see Ovid, Metamorphoses 8.616–724). So the people set out to honor these supposed gods.

14:13–18 The apostles 

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – Is it easier to give glory to God or find something more “tangible” to praise?  This isn’t isolated to just this story – we do it to.  “It was luck” or “what a coincidence” are simple explanations of something working for our good instead of recognizing who is orchestrating the good things in our lives.  Also, recognizing God eventually will call us to relationship.  It is easier to focus on other things than something that requires a commitment.

R – Heavenly Father, we honor you above all other things. Please empower us to recognize your hand in our lives.  The good and the bad is allowed by you.  We choose to praise and honor you and not other “gods.”  

S – But the Jews incited the prominent God-fearing women and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their district.

Acts 13:50 CSB

O – Commentary:

Ancient sources report that many prominent women were interested in Judaism (partly because their wealth gave them leisure to consider it, partly because they, unlike men, did not have to face circumcision if they became serious about it, and partly because it did not diminish their status the way it diminished that of men); these women in turn could influence their powerful husbands. (Women appear on only forty percent of tomb inscriptions, yet they comprise fifty percent of proselytes and eighty percent of God-fearers.) Local aristocracies made up a fraction of the population but held great wealth and most of the political power; from them came decurions for the local councils, and their opposition could drive someone out of town. In Pisidian Antioch, these leaders would have been Roman citizens, descendants of the Roman veteran colonists who founded the city, who took great pride in their status. The two leading families of Antioch known to us were the Caristanii and relatives of Sergius Paulus. But the leaders’ authority was only local, and by going to Iconium Paul and Barnabas move out of their jurisdiction.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – The gospel is being shared to Jews and Gentiles.  When the crowds got so large, the leaders became jealous and insecure. It is interesting to see how they tried to quiet the voices of Barnabas and Paul.  They chose the most influential people (male and female) to “move them along.”  We need to pray for our leadership to know and be led by the Spirit of God.  We don’t want them to move it along; we want them to invite him in.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the King of Kings.  We thank you for those you put in leadership over us.  Whether we agree with everything they do is our responsibility.  We pray for them to know you personally and be led by the Holy Spirit in leading us.  May they clearly hear from you in each decision.