Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. I. WHAT THE APOSTLES FELT. 1. Not mere resignation. It is reckoned a high Christian grace not to murmur at afflictive providences, but to submit — not trying to pierce the inscrutable, but saying, "Thy will, not mine be done." 2. Not mere acquiescence. This is a grace higher still, involving as it does the confession that God's will is good will, and God's way, however painful, the best way. Its language is, "All things work together for good," etc. 3. But joyfulness — perhaps the highest grace possible, being exultation that at whatever personal cost God's will is done. Certainly the most difficult grace to exercise, and one which goes clean contrary to all the tendencies of our nature. We naturally love ease, prosperity, honour; but when we are enabled to rejoice as the apostles did in pain, adversity, and ignominy we are more than conquerors. II. HOW TO ACCOUNT FOR IT. 1. Not on the ground of the expectation of ulterior benefit. Many a man has rejoiced in the trouble and suffering which would certainly issue in wealth or honour. Witness the conduct of warriors and explorers. The apostles could gain nothing except further suffering. 2. Not on the ground of a hope of heaven. This has been the support of many a Christian martyr and sufferer, is quite legitimate, and was a source of comfort often to the apostles themselves, but it does not seem to have been taken into account here. 3. But on the ground that Christ counted them worthy to suffer for His name. It was suffering — (1) For Christ's sake. (2) By Christ's appointment. (3) With Christ's support. (J. W. Burn.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. |
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