The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 213

provoked, at this time, into a resentment which he arterwards wished he had been able to master. 3, Whether he was right in classing himself with. the Pharisaic party (ver. 6). Though with them in those respects in which they differed from the Saddllcees, and though, therefore, hie words were formally correct, hie spirit was so different from theirs, hie principles were so opposite to theirs, his energies were so spent in combating theirs, that there was (or at least seems to have been) more of falsity than truth ia his declara- tion. It is always a doubtful thing to say under pressure what we should never dream of saying under ordinary circumstances. But we may look at- II. 'l'HnEE CERTAIN TRUTHS, It is certain : 1. That only intrinsic worth can long hold the honour of our fellow-men. If Paul was ready, as he was, to pay outward deference to "God's high priest" (ver. 4); if he was unwilling to" speak evil of the ruler of the people'.' (ver. 6) ; he certainly held in small honour the particular high priest then pre- siding. Kings, judges, statesmen, ministers, may enjoy a temporary deference and an outward tribute as public officers; but if they are corrupt, if they are self-seeking, if they are indulgent, they will soon sink into dishonour and even into contempt. Only the worthy will continue to enjoy the esteem of their kind. Possibly a few c,f the shrewdest and most cunning have carried their honours to the grave, though they have deserved public reprobation, but these have passed to a scene where the veil will be torn off, and the long-outstanding penalty be required; but these are the few and not the many. Usually the pretender is unmasked here, and the iron hand of indignation comes down on the guilty head. 2. That it is an honourable and excellent thing to explain or apologize when one or the other is demanded. (1) It is the right thing; it is due to those who have been misled or injured. (2) It is the manly thing; it requires more courage, and courage of a higher order, to withdraw with expressions of regret than to maintain with the appearance of rectitude. (3) It is the Christian thing; though, indeed, our Lord needed not to do this himself, yet we are sure it is in perfect accord- ance with his will: "If thy brother sin against thee, and he repent, forgive him," etc. (4) It is the peaceful thing; to defend one's position is to foment strife; to acknow- ledge error is to disarm resentment and promote peace. 3. That straightforwardness is the best course to pursue. It _is very doubtful whether Paul gained anything by his adoption of this expedient ; he was in the greatest danger of being " pulled in pieces " (ver. 10). Such expediency as that which he employed may sometimes be rewarded by a temporary success. But the deepest and the longest success is the reward of sincerity and unswerving truth: the deepest, because our own self-respect is preserved inviolate and our integrity strengthened; the longest, for that which is founded on truth is built upon a rock, and is likeliest to endure.--0. Vers.11-24.-Thepowers that act on us from without. Manifold a.re the powers which are acting upon our spirit and deciding our course and destiny. Some of these are suggested by this narrative. I. THE MALEVOLENT HUMAN. (Vera. 12-15.) In this case human malevolence took a very violent and malignant form: it sought to compass Paul's death by a dark and shameless stratagem. More often it seeks to do us injury for which we shall suffer, but from which we may recover. The very worst form which it assumes is that of aiming at our spiritual integrity, leading us into sin e.nd so into shame and death. II. THE INDIFFERENT BUMAN. (Vers. 18-24.) The Roman----<:enturion, chief captain, soldier-took no special interest in Paul, and had no prejudice against him. He regarded the whole matter in e. professional light, and acted in simple and strict accordance with his habits of obedience and command. Around us is human law, human custom, human society-with this we must lay our account. It will proceed on its usual course, like a train upon the lines laid down for it, with small concern for our hopes and fears, our joys and sorrows. If we take heed, we may avail ourselves of its holp ; if we are indiscreet, it will dash age.inst us unpityingly. So fa.r as we may do so and can do so, we must order ourselves so as to benefit by its strong force . . III. THE BENIGNANT HUMAN. (Vera. 16-21.) Paul's sister induced her son to !nterpose, and the young man (or, youth) played his delicate and dangerous part well, mtervening between these sanguinary schemers and their illustrious victim. "\Ve mi.y hope for positive sympathy and active aid from (1) those who aro closely and tenderly related ta us; (2) those who are young, and therefore open to many admira.bls inspira.-  220 TtlE ACTS or THE APOSTLES.