Verse of the Day

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Scripture Study Seminar Session 11 Announcement

Scripture Study Seminar

Session 11 is scheduled for 
7:00 PM on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at 
Faith Baptist Fellowship Church
1397 Easton Turnpike
Lake Ariel, PA
http://faithbaptistfellowshipch.com/

The notes from the previous 10 sessions have been posted to the Wayside Gospel Chapel blog at  http://waysidegospelchapel.blogspot.com/search/label/Scripture%20Study%20Seminar.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

The Study of the Scriptures - Session 10: Wednesday, 17 June 2015 at Faith Baptist Fellowship Church Lake Ariel, PA

The Study of the Scriptures
Session 10, Wednesday 17 June 2015
Faith Baptist Fellowship Church
Lake Ariel, PA

Review Sessions 1-9[1]

The Means God Uses: The Scriptures, the Holy Spirit, and the Church

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)

1. Placing trust in God: The ability of God and the sufficiency of the Scriptures — Coming to the Scriptures with Faith

2. Putting man in his place: The inability of fallen man and an understanding of the responses of the creature to the revelation of God — Coming to the Scriptures with Humility

3. The Unity of the Word of God: the First, Progressive, and Full Mention Principles of Interpretation — Coming to the Scriptures with Hope

4. The Diversity of the Contexts within the Canon of Scripture — Coming to the Scriptures with Respect

5. The Humiliation of Incarnational Hermeneutics — Coming to the Scriptures with Caution

6. Putting the Scriptures in their Place: The Historical Perspective in Bible Study — Coming to the Scriptures with Perspective

7. Familiarity Breeds Contempt - Coming to the Scriptures without Presumption

8. Texts and Translations - Coming to the Scriptures with Thanksgiving

9. Three Issues With Unfulfilled Prophecies - Coming to the Scriptures with Consistency

Lex Rex:[2]
or,
Slow down, Simplify, and Separate

The Death of the One Room Schoolhouse:
Were children better educated in the old one room schoolhouses like in Little House on the Prairie? Were they more literate, etc.?

The Birth of the Pocket Calculator:
Were children better at math before electronic calculators became available? Why was that true?

The Advent of Television:
Are children today growing up better equipped in critical thinking and ability to use their imaginations than a century ago before the advent of television and computer videos? Why is that?

The Discipline of the Chalkboard:
Were you ever disciplined in school by having to go in front of the class to the blackboard, and write something 100 times? How did that work out for you?

2 Corinthians 1:12 — “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”

2 Corinthians 11:3 — “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

Watch The Cedarmont Kids performing this song on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLAnuG1340g [accessed 15 JUN 2015].

Shaker Hymn[3]

'Tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free,
'Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight
'Till by turning, turning we come round right.

LEX REX

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 — 18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law[4] in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: 20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.[5]

Dt. 31:9 — And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.

Dt. 31:26 — Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

2 Chr. 23:11 — Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.

Although some teach that this copy of the Law would be written out for the king by the Levitical priests, this does not seem to be warranted, and may miss both the focus of the context, and the point concerning the making of this copy.

E.g., on verse 18 the New Revised Standard Version reads: “…he shall have a copy of this law written for him…”

Also, C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch: “…written out by the Levitical priests….does not involve writing with his own hand (Philo), but simply having it written.”[6]

Translations that read “…for himself…” contra the New Revised Standard Version:

New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, Holman Christian Standard Bible, New International Version, New Living Translation, Revised Standard Version, Berkeley Version, Modern Language Bible (New Berkeley Version), and George M. Lamsa.[7]

An interesting dynamic equivalent translation of verse 18 is found in the New English Bible:
“When he has ascended the throne of the kingdom, he shall make a copy of this law in a book at the dictation of the levitical priests.”

Contra Keil and Delitzsch, see e.g., Daniel Block:

“According to this Mosaic mis̆paṭ hammĕlûkâ, “Charter for Kingship,” in the future the reigning king is to write for himself a copy of “this Torah” on a seper, a written document….The Levitical priests, who in 10:6–9 were assigned the role of custodians of the Decalogue, are now presented as custodians of the Torah from whom the king receives the copy and in whose presence he copies it.”[8]

In this regard Moses’ Torah differs radically from Hammurabi’s Law code, whose concern was to govern the conduct of his subjects, not him-self. The closest extra-Biblical analogue to Deut 17:14–20 is found in the early first millennium bc Babylonian document named by W. G. Lambert “Advice to a Prince” (Lambert, Babylonian Wisdom Literature 110–15). This document does indeed contain instructions for a prospective king. However, neither here nor in any other ancient Near Eastern document do we find a king enjoined to write “for himself ” a copy of the laws given to the entire nation to rein in his own exercise of power.[9]

“The king envisioned by Moses was to write a copy of the Torah for himself in the presence of the priests, who as representatives of God would hold him accountable for his personal conduct.”[10]

Also, Matthew Henry, is quite clear on this issue, and waxes eloquent on the profit from the task commended here.

“He must write himself a copy of the law out of the original, which was in the custody of the priests that attended the sanctuary, Deu 17:18. Some think that he was to write only this book of Deuteronomy, which is an abstract of the law, and the precepts of which, being mostly moral and judicial, concerned the king more than the laws in Leviticus and Numbers, which, being ceremonial, concerned chiefly the priests. Others think that he was to transcribe all the five books of Moses, which are called the law, and which were preserved together as the foundation of their religion….Though he had secretaries about him whom he might employ to write this copy, and who perhaps could write a better hand than he, yet he must do it himself, with his own hand, for the honour of the law, and that he might think no act of religion below him, to inure himself to labour and study, and especially that he might thereby be obliged to take particular notice of every part of the law and by writing it might imprint it in his mind. Note, It is of great use for each of us to write down what we observe as most affecting and edifying to us, out of the scriptures and good books, and out of the sermons we hear. A prudent pen may go far towards making up the deficiencies of the memory, and the furnishing of the treasures of the good householder with things new and old. [3.] He must do this even when he sits upon the throne of his kingdom, provided that he had not done it before. When he begins to apply himself to business, he must apply himself to this in the first place. He that sits upon the throne of a kingdom cannot but have his hands full. The affairs of his kingdom both at home and abroad call for a large share of his time and thoughts, and yet he must write himself a copy of the law.”[11]

There are some differences of opinion regarding how much of the Law the king was required by this command to copy.

Jack S. Deere: “The education of a king consisted of his copying, reading, and following carefully the Law and these decrees, that is, the entire Book of Deuteronomy (not just this small section of vv. 14–20). This would insure a right spirit within the king (i.e., humility and obedience) and a long dynastic succession.”[12]

John Calvin: “Because the demonstrative pronoun is used, some think that only the book of Deuteronomy is referred to, but without good reason. I make no doubt but that the whole sum of doctrine is included, which is delivered both here and in Exodus and Leviticus.”[13]

C. W. Bingham, the editor of Calvin’s commentaries on Exodus through Deuteronomy, is quite clear on the fact that the king is to make his own copy, and not to “subcontract” this work out: “C. seems to overlook the command that it should be transcribed by the king himself, of which, notwithstanding the opinion of some ancient commentators, the words appear to leave no doubt.”[14]

On another occasion another copy was made.

Deuteronomy 27:1-8 — 1 And Moses with the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, Keep all the commandments which I command you this day. 2 And it shall be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister: 3 And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee. 4 Therefore it shall be when ye be gone over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal, and thou shalt plaister them with plaister. 5 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift up any iron tool upon them. 6 Thou shalt build the altar of the LORD thy God of whole stones: and thou shalt offer burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD thy God: 7 And thou shalt offer peace offerings, and shalt eat there, and rejoice before the LORD thy God. 8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

Joshua 8:31-35 — 30 Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, 31 As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings. 32 And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. 33 And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. 34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.

What does this have to do with us? — Slow down, Simplify, and Separate

Revelation 1:1-6 — 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.  3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:8-10 — 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Phil Collins, “Hand Copying Scripture Practice Tips”

1.      “Identify a passage that you would like to interact with or spend time memorizing.
2.      Commit to writing out a whole book of the Bible instead of isolated sections, especially of narrative style books. This will help you view the book as a whole, understanding its complete message in context.
3.      Pick a specific notebook which will be dedicated to your hand copying.
4.      Find a quiet place that allows you to focus on what you’re writing.
5.      Quiet your thoughts by praying for the Holy Spirit to reveal his truth to you in the passage and help you focus.
6.      Begin writing slowly, focusing on each word and what it means in the immediate and broader contexts.
7.      Take your time as you write. The goal is not to finish writing out the passage but to spend time in God’s Word, to spend time with God. Savor the process as you would an important letter that you just received.”[15]

One company markets products tailored for this, although you can easily do your own with a blank journal, or a three-ring binder. See the Journibles 17:18 Series online.[16]

The time invested depending on your penmanship and writing speed will vary, but e.g., 2 John (13 vv.) took me 10:43; and 3 John (15 vv.) took me 12:29 to copy by hand. At that rate you could figure on an average of one minute per verse or less.

Dillon Burroughs, “It Is Finished: Thoughts on Writing Out Every Word of the Bible”

“On December 31, 2010, at the age of 34, I began handwriting the New Testament. My goal was to complete one chapter per weekday, all 260 chapters, in one year. Nine months later I had completed the New Testament and started with Genesis in the Old Testament. I thought that if I continued at my current pace, I could finish by 2015 at the latest.

Instead, on June 17, 2013, at the age of 37, I completed the final word of Malachi. The 899-day journey left me speechless. For some time, I was not sure what to say or think.”

See the rest of Dillon’s blog post for his reflections on this experience two months later.[17]

Now perhaps the “Shaker Hymn” we listened to in the introduction will take on new significance.

Watch The Cedarmont Kids performing this song on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLAnuG1340g [accessed 15 JUN 2015].

Shaker Hymn

'Tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free,
'Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight
'Till by turning, turning we come round right.

John T. “Jack” Jeffery
Pastor, Wayside Gospel Chapel
Greentown, PA





End Notes:

[1] The notes from the previous sessions have been posted to the Wayside Gospel Chapel blog at  http://waysidegospelchapel.blogspot.com/search/label/Scripture%20Study%20Seminar.

[2] From the title of the book by Samuel Rutherford published at Oxford, U.K., in 1644; on Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/lexrexlawandpri00maxwgoog [accessed 17 JUN 2015]. The English translation of this Latin title is “The Law is King.” The full title is actually a bit longer: Lex, rex: the law and the prince, a dispute for the just prerogative of king and people, containing the reasons and causes of the defensive wars of the kingdom of Scotland, and of their expedition for the ayd and help of their brethren of England. In which a full answer is given to a seditious pamphlet, intituled, Sacro-sancta regum majestas, penned by J. Maxwell.

[3] The tune this is sung to is known also as the Shaker Melody, Shaker Song, and “Simple Gifts.” It was written by Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr. (1797-1882) in 1848. It was later published by Edward D. Andrews in a collection of Shaker melodies titled “The Gift to Be Simple.” It became most familiar due to Aaron Copeland’s five variations on this theme in the seventh section of his orchestral suite “Appalachian Spring.” See “Simple Gifts” on Wikipedia at  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Gifts [accessed 7 OCT 2014]; and “Appalachian Spring” on Wikipedia at  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Spring [accessed 7 OCT 2014]. The Cedarmont Kids may be seen performing this song on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLAnuG1340g [accessed 15 JUN 2015]. Aaron Copland's “Variations on a Shaker Melody” (1956) may be heard performed by the United States Army Field Band on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ockObihrnm8 [accessed 15 JUN 2015]. A video with some beautiful pictures accompanying the music “Appalachian Spring: Doppio movimento (Shaker melody “The gift to be simple”)” by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and conducted by Leonard Bernstein is on YouTube at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMtCh0VuoKg [accessed 15 JUN 2015]. Marilyn Horne sings the words (initial 2 minute segment) on YouTube at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i-X4IJzkNM [accessed 15 JUN 2015]. Many other beautiful recordings of this song have been done by world class artists including Judy Collins, Jewel, Alison Krauss, Cantus, and Nana Mouskouri. In my opinion it is one of the most beautiful and memorable compositions I have encountered. I place it up there with Anton Dvorak's incorporation of the song “Goin' Home” in the Largo (2nd movement) of his Symphony No. 9 in E minor, From the New World, and Jean Sibelius' “Finlandia Hymn” heard towards the end of his symphonic poem, Finlandia.

[4] The translation of this phrase from Hebrew into Greek in the Septuagint (LXX) is the source of the title of the book, deuteronomion, which occurs also in Josh. 8:32. See C. H. Waller, “Deuteronomy,” in Ellicott’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: A Verse By Verse Explanation, ed. Charles John Ellicott (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, n.d.; 1981 reprint of 1959 ed.), II:52.

[5]  18 καὶ ἔσται ὅταν καθίσῃ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ γράψει ἑαυτῷ τὸ δευτερονόμιον τοῦτο εἰς βιβλίον παρὰ τῶν ἱερέων τῶν Λευιτῶν,  19 καὶ ἔσται μετ̓ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀναγνώσεται ἐν αὐτῷ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μάθῃ φοβεῖσθαι κύριον τὸν θεὸν αὐτοῦ φυλάσσεσθαι πάσας τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα ταῦτα ποιεῖν,  20 ἵνα μὴ ὑψωθῇ ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μὴ παραβῇ ἀπὸ τῶν ἐντολῶν δεξιὰ ἢ ἀριστερά, ὅπως ἂν μακροχρονίσῃ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς αὐτοῦ, αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ ἐν τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ. Emphasis mine.
Septuaginta: With morphology. 1996 (Dt 17:18–20). Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft.

[6] Commentary on the Old Testament in Ten Volumes, C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, Vol. I: The Pentateuch: Three Volumes in One, trans. James Martin (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., n.d., 1975 reprint), I:386.

[7] The Holy Bible From Ancient Eastern Manuscripts, Containing the Old and New Testaments Translated from the Peshitta, The Authorized Bible of the Church of the East (Nashville: A. J. Holman Co., 1968).

[8] Daniel I. Block, “Recovering The Voice Of Moses: The Genesis Of Deuteronomy” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 44:3 (Sep 2001), pp. 395-396.

[9] Block, op. cit., pg. 396, note 56.

[10] Daniel I. Block, “The Burden of Leadership: The Mosaic Paradigm of Kingship (Deut. 17:14–20),”  Bibliotheca Sacra 162:647 (Jul 2005), pg. 277; the third article in a four-part series “Rediscovering the Gospel according to Moses,” originally delivered 3-6 FEB 2004 as the W. H. Griffith Thomas Lectures at Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX.

[11] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: Complete and unabridged in one volume (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, n.d., 1994 reprint), pg. 258.

[12] Jack S. Deere, “Deuteronomy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), pg. 295, s.v. 17:18–20. Emphasis Deere’s.

[13] John Calvin, and C. W. Bingham, Commentaries on the Four Last Books of Moses Arranged in the Form of a Harmony (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), s.v. Dt 17:18.

[14] C. W. Bingham, in Calvin and Bingham, op. cit., editorial note.

[15] Phil Collins, “Hand Copying Scripture Practice Tips” (2014), on Bible Gateway at
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/scripture-engagement/hand-copying-scripture/practice [accessed 17 JUN 2015]. See also: Phil Collins, “Hand Copying Scripture” (2014), on Bible Gateway at https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/scripture-engagement/hand-copying-scripture/home [accessed 17 JUN 2015]; Phil Collins, “Hand Copying Scripture Resources” (2014), on Bible Gateway at

[16] http://www.the1718series.com/ [accessed 17 JUN 2015].

[17] Dillon Burroughs, “It Is Finished: Thoughts on Writing Out Every Word of the Bible” (3 SEP 2013), on Holy Writ at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/holywrit/2013/09/it-is-finished-thoughts-on-writing-out-every-word-of-the-bible/ [accessed 17 JUN 2015].

Pastor's Sermon Notes: The Last Word (Acts 28:30-31)

The Last Word
Acts 28:30-31

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.


Introduction:

Notice what chapters are listed for today on “This Week’s Bible Reading Schedule” on the back of your bulletin! I did not set this reading schedule up, and there is no such thing as coincidence!

The sermon series on Acts began on June 16, 2013. This is the 78th sermon in this series.
It has been quite a “voyage” with the Acts of the Ascended Lord by His Holy Spirit through His Apostles from Jerusalem to Rome!

Outline:

I. A Wonderful Triple Emphasis (28:30)
II. A Continuing Two-fold Ministry (28:31a-b)
III. A Triumphant Double Description (28:31c-d)

Each of these points contain answers to questions that Bible students, like reporters or detectives, should ask: who, what, when, where, why, how, how long, and so what?

I. A Wonderful Triple Emphasis (28:30)

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

The duration, location and audience information related here answer the questions concerning “how long,” “where,” and “who.”

The emphasis here might be missed unless the verse was rewritten minus the three emphatic words:

“And Paul dwelt two years in his hired house, and received [those] that came in unto him.”

The three missing words are all adjectives, which when occuring independently of each other would not be seen as having the degree of emphasis that they do here. However, the cumulative effect of all three adjectives together in this first part of the complex sentence which encompasses these two verses should not be missed.

1. Whole - temporal duration[1] - how long

And Paul dwelt two whole years

The word translated “two years” is only found in the NT here and in 24:27.[2]

It was during this two year period that Paul’s “Prison Epistles” were written. He had already written Galatians, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Corinthians and Romans, but now he would write Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians, and Philippians. His “Pastoral Epistles” are believed to have been written later, following his release from this confinement, and prior to his final imprisonment.

2. Own - geographical location - where

in his own hired house[3]

Trans
Acts 28:30
KJV
And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house,
and received all that came in unto him,
NASB
And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters
[Or at his own expense]
and was welcoming all who came to him,
ESV
He lived there two whole years at his own expense
[Or in his own hired dwelling],
and welcomed all who came to him,
HCSB
Then he stayed two whole years in his own rented house.
And he welcomed all who visited him,
NIV
For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house
and welcomed all who came to see him.
NLT
For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense.*
[Or in his own rented quarters.]
He welcomed all who visited him,

3. All - personal congregation - who

and received all that came in unto him

Phil. 1:12-14 — 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

II. A Continuing Two-fold Ministry (28:31a-b)

Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ,

This is the “what” that describes the content of Paul’s ministry as the book of Acts closes.

1. Preaching the kingdom of God

Mt. 4:23 — And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Mt. 12:28 — But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Mt. 13:19 — When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Acts 20:25 — And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

2. Teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ

Acts 8:12 — But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 28:23 — And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

III. A Triumphant Double Description (28:31c-d)

with all confidence, no man forbidding him

This is the “how” that describes the manner in which Paul conducted his ministry in Rome as the door closes on this inspired historical account.

1. All confidence - no hesitation[4]

Why with all confidence?
What was the source of or basis for this total confidence?
What would have been the effect of this absolute confidence?
What power would this have added to the preaching and teaching?

This emphasis caps an a remarkable theme noted since the Jerusalem Pentecost, and woven throughout the Acts of the Ascended Lord by His Holy Spirit through His Apostles and others.[5]

Acts 2:29 — Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

Acts 4:13 — Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:29 — And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

Acts 4:31 — And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 9:27-28 — 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

Acts 13:46 — Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 14:3 — Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Acts 18:26 — And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

Acts 19:8 — And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Acts 26:26 — For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

The Apostle Paul remarks on this in the epistles that he wrote to the churches he planted in Asia during this two year period.

Phil. 1:12-14 — 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Eph. 6:17-20 — 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

2. No Hindrance - no forbidding

no opposition, limitation or persecution

The book ends with a single word in the original[6] striking a powerful final note:

NASB: “unhindered”
ESV, HCSB, NIV: “without hindrance”
NET Bible: “without restriction”
NLT: “And no one tried to stop him.”[7]

The Gospel is going forth in Rome unshackled!

2 Tim. 2:9 — Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

Perhaps you have heard the radio program "Unshackled."

“Real people...real life stories...stirring, dramatic accounts of hopelessness, and the hope that changes everything. "UNSHACKLED!" the award-winning radio drama fromPacific Garden Mission in Chicago, grips the heart with compelling and relevant stories of transformed lives.
Without Jesus Christ, we are all shackled by sin — by our wrong choices, disobedience and selfish motives. But God is at work, and the power of Christ sets us free of our bondage. We are... "UNSHACKLED!"

Since 1950, Pacific Garden Mission has produced this unique series, making "UNSHACKLED!" the longest-running radio drama in history. Still produced in the style of the "Golden Age" of radio, every element is live at the time of the production — the original music, the creative sound effects and, of course, the dynamic performances of talented professional actors.

Today "UNSHACKLED!" is broadcast around the world almost 14,000 times each week on over 2,900 radio outlets. In addition to the English broadcast, it is translated and re-dramatized in Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Romanian, Polish, Korean, Japanese, Farsi, Albanian, Greek, Macedonian, Turkish, Portuguese, and Mandarin.”[8]

Conclusion:

The NIV ends this book with an exclamation point, and that is as it should be.

“In fact the last verse of Acts could be taken as a summary of the whole book.”[9]

The ascended and enthroned Lord Jesus Christ has the last word.
His Apostle is in human chains administered by Imperial Rome for Caesar.
His Word is not bound.
His Apostle is free to minister His Word.
His acts by His Spirit through His Apostle continue from this house throughout Rome and the rest of the empire.
Yes, an exclamation point is appropriate here at the end, especially given what has transpired since the resurrection of the Crucified Messiah as recorded in Luke’s inspired text!
The ascended and enthroned Lord Jesus Christ has the last word, and it is “unhindered.”

“What can stop his witness?”[10]
“…who can defeat this gospel?”[11]

This story continues. The conclusion has not been written. It continues now, here and now, with you and me, and will do so until the Lord Jesus Christ brings the conclusion![12]

Complete outline:

I. A Wonderful Triple Emphasis (28:30)
II. A Continuing Two-fold Ministry (28:31a-b)
III. A Triumphant Double Description (28:31c-d)

[Sermon preached 14 JUN 2015 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]

Appendix 1 — Resources cited in Notes

F. Blass, and A. Debrunner, trans. and rev. Robert W. Funk, A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 9th ed. (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1961).

Ernest De Witt Burton, Syntax of the Moods and Tenses in New Testament Greek, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1978 reprint of 1900 edition, University of Chicago Press, Chicago).

George Adolf Deissmann, Bible Studies, trans. Alexander Grieve (Winona Lake, IN: Alpha Publications, n.d.; 1979 reprint of the 1923 T. & T. Clark printing).

James Hope Moulton and George Milligan, The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament Illustrated from the Papyrii and other Non-literary Sources, one-volume ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., n.d., 1976 reprint; from 1930 orig. by Hodder & Stoughton, London).

C. F. D. Moule, An Idiom-Book of New Testament Greek, 2nd ed. (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1959, 1953).

David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, in The Pillar New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009).

John B. Polhill, Acts, Vol. 26 in The New American Commentary, gen. ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 1992).

A. T. Robertson, A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1934).

Nigel Turner, Syntax, Vol. III in James Hope Moulton, A Grammar of New Testament Greek (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1963).

Unshackled at http://www.unshackled.org/ [accessed 12 JUN 2015].

William H. Willimon, Acts, in Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, series ed. James Luther Mays, New Testament ed. Paul J. Achtemeier (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010).

Appendix 2 — New Testament Greek Texts, Grammars, and Vocabulary Works Consulted

1. Greek Text

The Greek New Testament, 4th rev. ed., eds. Barbara Aland, Kurt Aland, Johannes Karavidopoulos, Matthew Black, Carlo M. Martini, Bruce M. Metzger, and Allen Wikgren (Stuttgart, FRG: United Bible Societies and Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1993, 1994).

The Greek New Testament According to the Majority Text, 2nd ed., ed. Zane C. Hodges, Arthur L. Farstad, et al. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1985).

The New Testament in the Original Greek, rev. Brooke Foss Westcott and Fenton John Anthony Hort (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1949).

New Testament Transcripts Prototype at the University of Münster Institute for New Testament Textual Research at http://nttranscripts.uni-muenster.de/AnaServer?NTtranscripts+0+start.anv [accessed 12 JUN 2015].

Novum Testamentum Graece, eds. Eberhard and Erwin Nestle, 27th ed., eds. Barbara and Kurt Aland, Johannes Karavidopoulos, Carlo M. Martini, and Bruce M. Metzger (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1898, 1993).

Maurice Robinson, Elzevir Textus Receptus (1624): With morphology (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002).

Maurice A. Robinson and William G. Pierpont, The New Testament in the Original Greek: Byzantine Textform 2005 (Southborough, MA: Chilton Book Publishing, 2006).

Scrivener’s Textus Receptus (1894): With morphology (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002). 

Stephen’s 1550 Textus Receptus: With morphology (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002). 

2. Greek Grammar

F. Blass, and A. Debrunner, trans. and rev. Robert W. Funk, A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 9th ed. (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1961).

Ernest De Witt Burton, Syntax of the Moods and Tenses in New Testament Greek, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1978 reprint of 1900 edition, University of Chicago Press, Chicago).

H. E. Dana and Julius R. Mantey, A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament (Toronto: The Macmillan Co., 1927, 1955).

C. F. D. Moule, An Idiom-Book of New Testament Greek, 2nd ed. (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1959, 1953).

James Hope Moulton, Prolegomena, 3rd ed., Vol. I in James Hope Moulton, A Grammar of New Testament Greek (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, n.d.).

A. T. Robertson, A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1934).

Nigel Turner, Syntax, Vol. III in James Hope Moulton, A Grammar of New Testament Greek (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1963).

Nigel Turner, Style, Vol. IV in James Hope Moulton, A Grammar of New Testament Greek (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1976).

G. B. Winer A Treatise on the Grammar of New Testament Greek: Regarded as a Sure Basis for New Testament Exegesis, 3rd ed., trans. W. F. Moulton, 9th ed. (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1882).

3. Greek Vocabulary

Colin Brown, gen. ed., The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, 3 vols., English ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1971, 1978 ; trans. from Germ. original, Theologisches Begriffslexikon Zum Neuen Testament by Theologischer Verlag Rolf Brockhaus, Wuppertal).

George Adolf Deissmann, Bible Studies, trans. Alexander Grieve (Winona Lake, IN: Alpha Publications, n.d.; 1979 reprint of the 1923 T. & T. Clark printing).

Adolf Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East: The New Testament Illustrated by Recently Discovered Texts of the Graeco-Roman World, 4th rev. ed. of Licht vom Osten (Tübingen, 1909, 1923), trans. Lionel R. M. Strachan (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, n.d.; 1978 ed.).

Adolf Deissmann, Paul: A Study in Social and Religious History, 2nd ed., trans. William E. Wilson (New York: Harper Torchbooks, n.d.).

Gerhard Kittel, and Gerhard Friedrich, eds., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, 10 vols., trans. Geoffrey W. Bromiley (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1967).

Johannes P. Louw, and Eugene A. Nida, eds., Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains, 2 vols., 2nd ed. (New York: United Bible Societies, 1988, 1966, elec. ed. 1996).

James Hope Moulton and George Milligan, The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament Illustrated from the Papyrii and other Non-literary Sources, one-volume ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., n.d., 1976 reprint; from 1930 orig. by Hodder & Stoughton, London).

Appendix 3 — Resources on Acts

G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, eds., Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pp. 513-606.

Paul Barnett, The Birth of Christianity: The First Twenty Years, After Jesus, Vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005).

Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007).
                                                  
F. F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951, 1952).

Dennis E. Johnson, The Message of Acts in the History of Redemption (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1997).

I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And Commentary, Vol. 5 in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980; 2008 reprint).

David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, in The Pillar New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009).

John B. Polhill, Acts, Vol. 26 in The New American Commentary, gen. ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 1992).

Richard Belward Rackham, The Acts of the Apostles: An Exposition, Oxford Commentaries, ed. Walter Lock (London: Methuen & Co., 1901), on Google Books at https://books.google.com/books?id=T4f9C9sTl9cC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 25 APR 2015]; and on Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/actsapostlesane01rackgoog [accessed 25 APR 2015]; 8th ed., Westminster Commentaries, ed. Walter Lock (London: Methuen & Co., Ltd., 1919) at https://archive.org/details/actsofapostlesex00rack [accessed 25 APR 2015].

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts, Vol. 5 in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, gen. ed. Clinton E. Arnold (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012).

W. C. van Unnik, “The ‘Book of Acts’ the Confirmation of the Gospel,” in Novum Testamentum 4:1 (OCT 1960), pp. 26-59; reprinted in The Composition of Luke’s Gospel: Selected Studies from Novum Testamentum, compiled by David E. Orton, Vol. 1 of Brill’s Readers in Biblical Studies (Leiden: Brill, 1999), pp. 184-218.

William H. Willimon, Acts, in Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, series ed. James Luther Mays, New Testament ed. Paul J. Achtemeier (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010).

Appendix 4 — Resources on Paul

Kenneth E. Bailey, Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians  (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2011).

F. F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977).

D. A. Carson, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), pp. 496-501.

W. J. Conybeare and J. S. Howson, The Life, Times and Travels of St. Paul, 2 vols. in 1, unabridged American ed. (New York: E. B. Treat U Co., 1869); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=Bn1CAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Adolf Deissmann, Paul: A Study in Social and Religious History, 2nd ed., trans. William E. Wilson (New York: Harper Torchbooks, n.d.).

F. W. Farrar, The Life and Work of St. Paul (New York: E. P. Dutton and Co., 1889); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=RB2KeCSM6KsC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Bruce N. Fisk, “Paul: Life and Letters”, in The Face of New Testament Studies: A Survey of Recent Research, ed. Scot McKnight and Grant R. Osborne (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004), pp. 283-325.

Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., "Acts and Paul", 46 lectures (MP3 format), WTS Resources Media Center on Westminster Theological Seminary at http://wts.edu/resources/media.html?paramType=audio&filterTopic=5&filterSpeaker=10&filterYear=2005 [accessed 20 MAR 2013].

Frank J. Goodwin, A Harmony of the Life of the St. Paul According to the Acts of the Apostles and the Pauline Epistles (New York: American Tract Society, 1895); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=YgpEAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Richard N. Longenecker, The Ministry And Message Of Paul (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971).

Richard N. Longenecker, Paul, Apostle Of Liberty (New York: Harper & Row, 1964).

Richard N. Longenecker, ed., The Road From Damascus : The Impact Of Paul's Conversion On His Life, Thought, And Ministry (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997).

Richard N. Longenecker, Studies In Paul, Exegetical And Theological (Sheffield : Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2004).

J. Gresham Machen, The Origin of Paul's Religion: The James Sprunt Lectures Delivered at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1925).

Leon Morris, The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1955).

John Pollock, The Apostle: A Life of Paul, 3rd ed. (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 1969, 2012); also published as The Man Who Shook the World (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1972; originally The Apostle: A Life of Paul, New York: Doubleday, 1969).

Stanley E. Porter, Paul in Acts, in Library of Pauline Studies, gen. ed. Stanley E. Porter (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1999; 2001 reprint of The Paul of Acts: Essays in Literary Criticism, Rhetoric and Theology, in Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 115, by Mohr Siebeck, Tubingen).

W. M. Ramsay, The Cities of St. Paul: Their Influence on his Life and Thought (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son; London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1908); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=JryEbmKool0C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, Pauline and Other Studies in Early Christian History (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son, 1906); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=-1ZJAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen, 10th ed. (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1907); on Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/ramsay/paul_roman.html [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, The Teaching of Paul in terms of The Present Day: The Deems Lectures in New York University (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1914); on Internet Archive at http://ia600404.us.archive.org/2/items/teachingofpaulin00rams/teachingofpaulin00rams.pdf [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

A. T. Robertson, Epochs in the Life of Paul: A Study of Development in Paul's Character (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1974).

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Paul The Missionary: Realities, Strategies And Methods (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008).

Udo Schnelle, Apostle Paul: His Life and Theology, trans. M. Eugene Boring (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003; trans. from Paulus: Leben und Denken, Berlin: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co., n.d.).

Thomas R. Schreiner, Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2001).

James Smith, The Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul with Dissertations on the Life and Writings of St. Luke, and the Ships and Navigation of the Ancients, 2nd ed. (London: Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans, & Roberts, 1856); on Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/voyageandshipwr02smitgoog [accessed 23 APR 2015]; and 4th ed., rev. Walter E. Smith (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1880); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=IMsNAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 23 APR 2015].

James Stalker, The Life of St. Paul, (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1885; rev. ed. 2010 by Kessinger Publishing from 1912 ed.); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=vT0HAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 7 FEB 2013].

James Ironside Still, St. Paul on Trial (London: Student Christian Movement, 1923).





End Notes:

[1] On this as an example of the usage of the historical aorist see: Ernest De Witt Burton, Syntax of the Moods and Tenses in New Testament Greek, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1978 reprint of 1900 edition, University of Chicago Press, Chicago), pg. 20, §39(b), “An extended act or state, however prolonged in time, if viewed as constituting a single fact without reference to its progress.” See also C. F. D. Moule, An Idiom-Book of New Testament Greek, 2nd ed. (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1959, 1953), pg. 13. Turner refers to this as the “Constative (summary) or Complexive aorist.” Nigel Turner, Syntax, Vol. III in James Hope Moulton, A Grammar of New Testament Greek (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1963), pg. 72. Note: Turner’s description of this as being “a total yet punctiliar aspect” seems to contradict C. F. D. Moule’s reference to it as “the Aorist of verbs whose very sense seems to be essentially ‘linear’.”. Blass and Debrunner refer to this as the “complexive (constative) aorist,” and as used in this instance “for linear actions which (having been completed) are regarded as a whole. The external indication that the action is conceived as a whole is usually a temporal adjunct…(then this situation ceased).” F. Blass, and A. Debrunner, trans. and rev. Robert W. Funk, A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 9th ed. (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1961), pg. 171, §332(1). For a good discussion of the different descriptions of this usage of the aorist including the confusion over linear versus punctiliar aspect see A. T. Robertson, A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1934), pp. 831-834.

[2] George Adolf Deissmann, Bible Studies, trans. Alexander Grieve (Winona Lake, IN: Alpha Publications, n.d.; 1979 reprint of the 1923 T. & T. Clark printing), pg. 258; James Hope Moulton and George Milligan, The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament Illustrated from the Papyrii and other Non-literary Sources, one-volume ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., n.d., 1976 reprint; from 1930 orig. by Hodder & Stoughton, London), pp. 160-161.

[3] μίσθωμα. See Moulton and Milligan, op. cit., pg. 414. “There seems to be no exact parallel to the usage in Ac 28:30…” Polhill is helpful in thinking through the difficulties translators face here. See John B. Polhill, Acts, Vol. 26 in The New American Commentary, gen. ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 1992), pg. 545-546.

[4] The NLT minimizes the impact of these final words by attempting to combine them into one clause that only conveys the negative thought found in the last word: “And no one tried to stop him.” This is set off by punctiuation in the NLT as a separate sentence introduced by a coordinating conjunction that the translators were forced to supply since it does not occur in the original. Given the significance of the bold communication of the Gospel in the face of virulent opposition in the book of Acts (2:29; 4:13, 29, 31; 9:27-28; 13:46; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 26:26) and the Pauline corpus (Eph. 6:19-20; Phil. 1:13-14), the failure of the NLT to render this positive aspect as other translations have seems to be a glaring and unnecessary omission. On more than one count the NLT “drops the ball” at the close of this book of Acts, fumbling the translation inexplicably.

[5] On this see especially David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, in The Pillar New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009), pg. 723.

[6] ἀκωλύτως. On this word that only occurs here in the New Testament see Moulton and Milligan, op. cit., pg. 20. “The adverb becomes very common from ii/a.d. It is of constant occurrence in legal documents….the word is legal to the last. For the triumphant note on which it brings the Acts of the Apostles to a close, see Harnack Lukas der Arzt p. 116, Eng. Tr. p. 163f., and cf. Milligan Documents, p. 168.” See also Polhill, op. cit., pp. 545-546.

[7] See note 4 above for a critique of this translation.

[8] Unshackled at http://www.unshackled.org/ [accessed 12 JUN 2015].

[9] William H. Willimon, Acts, in Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, series ed. James Luther Mays, New Testament ed. Paul J. Achtemeier (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010), pg. 190.

[10] Willimon, op. cit., pg. 191.

[11] Ibid.

[12] On this important point of application see especially Willimon, op. cit., pg. 192.