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The Ugly Side: Part II

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Acts 22:30-23:11

Paul’s Trigger: Hypocrisy

Paul’s Ugly Side: Reviling

Paul’s Good Side: Apologizing

Big Idea: Learn to Apologize

5 Steps of Apologizing

  1. Accept
  2. Admit
  3. Affirm
  4. Ask
  5. Advance

Additional Notes

whitewashed wall: (Acts 23:3) hypocrite

  • cf. Matthew 23:27 – Jesus calls the Pharisees whitewashed tombs
  • cf. Ezekiel 13:10-12 – Ezekiel’s claim is that those who were prophesying peace were hypocrites, saying only what they wanted the king to hear, not what God was really saying.

“contrary to the law you order me to be struck” (Acts 23:3)

  • cf. Deuteronomy 25:1-2

“You shall not speak evil against a ruler of your people.” (Acts 23:5)

  • cf. Exodus 22:28

Did Paul really not know that Ananias was the high priest? interpretive options

  • Paul didn’t know that Ananias was the one who ordered him to be struck:
    • Ananias was not dressed in his unique robes
    • They were not meeting in their normal place
    • Paul’s eye sight was likely bad  
  • Sarcasm – Paul is really saying, “It didn’t occur to me that the high priest would act in such a way.”
  • Paul didn’t hear the order for him to be struck. The order was given through a hand gesture.
  • Paul’s long absence from Jerusalem leaves him unaware of who the high priest is
  • Paul’s response is ironic in the sense that Paul is trying to show the people that the high priest is not really the representative of the people and of God’s way but because he is so perceived by the people Paul retracts his words
  • Paul reacts without considering the man’s position

“revile” – remonstrate in anger, abuse, slander, insult, curse, blaspheme

  • verb: 4x
    • John 9:28 – Pharisees revile the man born blind by saying that he is Jesus’ disciple while they are disciples of Moses
    • here
    • 1 Cor 4:12 – when we are reviled we bless
    • 1 Peter 2:23 – Jesus as an example of how to handle suffering and persecution. “when he was reviled he didn’t revile back”
  • noun: 3x slander, revile, abuse, reproach
    • 1 Peter 3:9 – do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling
  • adjective: 2x
    • 1 Cor. 5:11 – don’t associate with anyone who calls himself a Christian and is a reviler among other things
    • 1 Cor. 6:10 – in a list of vices of those who should not inherit the kingdom of God