And Paul said, “I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ” (Acts 23:5)
Paul apologized for speaking poorly of the high priest, even though Paul had been right, and the high priest had been wrong. Paul won the argument but apologized for his lack of respect for the office.
If Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, was careful when speaking about rulers of Israel (the same rulers who crucified Jesus), we ought to be mindful of how we speak about our government leaders, too. (I’m looking at you, keyboard warriors.)
We need not condone wicked behavior, but we ought to speak circumspectly and with respect. It’s a matter of Christian character.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
Today’s Reading: Acts 22:30-23:11
Questions to ask:
- How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
- How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
- What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
- What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?
This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision