Acts 22:1 - Meaning and Application

Paul had gained a great point in the last verse of the previous chapter by getting such deep silence after such a wild uproar. Here we should notice, first, how calmly and steadily he began to speak. No one was ever attacked in a more violent or angry way, yet there was no fear in his manner. His mind was quiet and steady, just as he had said before, “None of these things move me,” and as David said, “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around” (Psa 3:6).

There was also no sign of passion. The accusations against him were empty and unfair. It would have angered any honest man to be accused of dishonoring the temple, especially when he was actually planning to show honor to it. Still, he did not answer with sharp words. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, quiet and patient.

Second, notice the respectful titles he gave to the people who were abusing him, and how humbly he asked for their attention. He said, “Men, brethren, and fathers” (Act 22:1). By this he showed respect to the people, to his fellow Jews, and to the older leaders. He was letting them know that he still counted himself one of them, and that he had not broken away from the Jewish nation. He still cared for them and felt a responsibility toward them.

We should learn from this that, while we must not use flattering titles, we should give proper respect to everyone. If we want to do good to people, we should try not to stir them up against us. Paul had been rescued from their hands and was now under the chief captain’s protection, but he did not turn on them and say, “Hear now, you rebels.” Instead, he greeted them kindly: “Men, brethren, and fathers.” He also did not begin by blaming them. He did not say, “Hear what I have against you,” but, “Hear what I have to say for myself.” That was a fair request, because any person who is accused has a right to speak in his own defense, and justice is not done unless his answer is heard patiently and fairly.

Third, notice the language he used, which made his words more likely to be heard. He spoke in the Hebrew tongue, that is, the common Jewish language of that time. It was not the pure Old Testament Hebrew, but the Syriac, a related form of it, or a later change of it, much like Italian is related to Latin. This showed that he still respected his own people, the Jews, even though he had spent so much time among the Gentiles. He still knew their language well, and that proved he was one of them, because, as Scripture says, a person is often recognized by his speech.

It also meant that everyone could understand him, since that was the language most people spoke. So speaking that way was really a way of reaching the crowd and softening their feelings toward him. That is one reason they became even quieter when they heard him speak in Hebrew. How could anyone be expected to listen carefully to words spoken in a language they did not understand? The chief captain was surprised to hear Paul speak Greek (Act 21:37), and the Jews were surprised to hear him speak Hebrew. Both, in different ways, had reason to think better of him.

How much more surprised they would have been if they had asked, as they should have done, and learned how the Spirit gave him words in many tongues (Co1 14:18). In truth, many wise and good people are looked down on simply because they are not known well enough.