Acts 25:1-12 - Homilies By E. Johnson

Tenacity in right.

Paul is brought before a fresh judge. He defends the principles of duty and right in the same spirit as before, with perfect boldness, as the state of the matter demands, and at the same time with due respect to the office of the judge.

I. CONSTANCY IN THE DEFENSE OF RIGHT . Let us view this in contrast:

1. To the audacity of the hypocrite. They brought many and heavy charges against Paul, which they were unable to prove. Again, "the servant is as his Lord." The substance of the charges, too, ever the same: transgression of the Law, desecration of the temple, revolt against the emperor. Simple and sincere, is the defense, in both cases (comp. Acts 25:8 with John 18:20 , John 18:21 ).

2. To the insolence of the knave. Paul refuses no legal investigation. He stands firmly on the constitution of the state, before the tribunal of Caesar. The "powers that be" he taught were divinely ordained for the repression of evil-doers and the defense of the righteous.

3. To the obstinacy of the contentious man. He willingly subjects himself to any fair investigation and just decision of his case.

II. THE APPEAL TO THE EMPEROR . Some general allegorical lessons may be derived from this. The Christian may and should appeal:

1. From the sentence of the unjust man to the judgment of the just.

2. From the passions of the moment to the calm verdict of posterity.

3. From the opinions of the external world to the testimony of the inner world of conscience.

4. From the human tribunal to the eternal throne.

And as to the decision: "To Caesar thou shalt go!" It was partly Festus's, partly Paul's, and above all, that of Providence. So in our own life-crises. There is a coincidence of our own wishes with the external decision of another. Below or above both is the divinity that shapes our ends, the hand of him who causes all things to work together for good.—J.