Verse 31
The Asiarchs were educated citizens who were the political leaders of the cities of this Roman province.
They were "men of substance and influence in the cities of the province of Asia who were or had been presidents of the provincial council, which dealt principally with organizing the games and with ceremonial matters connected with Emperor-worship. During his term of office, the Asiarch was styled ’high-priest’ of the imperial cult." [Note: Neil, p. 208. See Longenecker, pp. 503-4; and Lily Ross Taylor, "The Asiarchs," in Foakes-Jackson and Lake, 5:252-62, for fuller descriptions of them.]
Some of these men were friends of Paul. This shows again that the attitude of many leaders was friendly to Christianity at this time. Their attitude doubtless reflected what was appropriate in the empire. The Asiarchs too wanted to prevent Paul from being injured.
"A sect whose leader had Asiarchs for friends cannot be dangerous to the state." [Note: Haenchen, p. 578.]
Notice that Paul had made friends with leading men of the city; he did not keep a low profile as he evangelized.
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