The beloved physician Luke wrote, “when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down”, and in chapter thirteen and verse fifteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the rulers of the synagogue” said, “if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on” where we read:
And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, You men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
The verse begins, “And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, ...” Luke began with the words, “and after the reading of the law” which means “and following the reading aloud of the rule producing a state approved of God” “and the prophets” or “and the writings of the men who were filled with the Spirit of God, who by God's authority and command in words of weight plead the cause of God and urges salvation of men” “the rulers of the synagogue” which means “the leaders and teachers within the assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures” “sent unto them” or “appointed and set at liberty Paul and his companions” “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Luke shared how there was a “reading” of the scriptures within the “synagogue” at Antioch in Pisidia from the “law of God” and from the “prophets of God”, and afterward the leaders of the “synagogue” addressed “Paul and his companions” by uttering the following words.
The verse continues, “You men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” Luke added the words, “you men and brethren” which means “you male human beings and fellow believers in the Jewish faith”, “if you have any word of exhortation” or “whether and in case you, Paul and his companions, lay hold of, claim or possess an uttered speech which is an admonition, encouragement, comfort or solace pertaining to the sayings of God” “for the people” which means “towards and with regard to the Jewish human beings both male and female within the synagogue”, “say on” or “speak, maintain, exhort, advise and mention the words”. Luke shared how the leaders in the “synagogue” beckoned “Paul and his companions” to share whatever “encouragement or admonition” they had for the people in the synagogue.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn about a portion of the worship service performed in this “synagogue”. Someone within the “synagogue” would read from the scriptures from the “law of God” and from the writings of the “prophets”. Afterward, the leaders would speak about those scriptures or other exhortations they had for the people who attended the service. “Paul and his companions” were invited to share with the people “if” they had “any word of exhortation” to give. This is what “Paul” desired, and we shall see how he uses this opportunity to share the gospel with these people. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person, and the Holy Bible reveals His plan of salvation for mankind through His Son Jesus. Anyone who carefully examines the Bible will find that God loves them, sent His Son to die for them and is willing to forgive their sins so they may live with Him for all eternity.
Next time Luke shares how Paul says, “men of Israel, and you that fear God, give audience”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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