Luke the beloved physician wrote, “Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God”, and in chapter thirteen and verse forty-five of the book of Acts Luke shared, “when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, ...”, where we read:
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
The verse begins, “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, ...” Luke began with the words, “but when” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover at the time and moment” “the Jews saw the multitudes” or “the people who belonged to the Jewish nation by origin, birth or religion observed, noticed and discover the large and abundant number of people who came to hear the word of God”, “they were filled with envy” which means “the Jews were fully supplied and furnished with ardor, fervor and zeal of spirit toward jealousy”. Luke shared how the “Jewish people” became “envious” when they observed so many people, including non-Jews, coming to hear the word of God.
The verse continues, “... and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.” Luke added the words, “and spoke against those things” which means “and made utterances, declarations and proclamations in opposition to the words and speeches” “which were spoke by Paul” which means “that were uttered, declared and proclaimed by Paul whose name means small or little”, “contradicting” or “speaking against, opposing and gainsaying toward Paul's words” “and blaspheming” which means “and speaking reproachfully, railing, calumniating and reviling”. Luke shared how the “envious” Jewish people began to “speak in opposition” to the words and ideas being spoken by “Paul”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “Jewish” people became “envious” when they saw so many people coming to hear what “Paul and his companions” were saying. They began to oppose “Paul's words”, and were so vehemently against him that they “blasphemed or railed upon him” in their speaking. God's word is for everyone, however, not all people believe and trust in His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”. They, like Paul previously existed, believe their “path or words” are the correct ones to follow, and even when God expresses His love toward them by sacrificing His own Son Jesus upon the cross to die for their sins, they still remain in opposition to Him. Those who are wise will carefully examine the attitude and behavior of these “Jewish people” and vow to never respond to the “gospel of Jesus Christ” and it's attraction to people like these “Jews”.
Next time Luke shares how, “Paul and Barnabas waxed bold”, 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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