Family Churchman Acts 28:15 And from there, when the brothers heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw… He who visits Rome, and drives along the Appian way between the ruined tombs and towards the Alban hills, cannot but recall this memorable scene. For, though emperors, commanders, statesmen, and scholars have passed by this road into the seven-hilled city, never did there enter by this famous approach a Roman citizen so great as the apostle Paul. I. THE OCCASION OF THESE EMOTIONS. 1. So far as Paul's position was concerned, there seemed to be little human ground for gratitude. He was a prisoner who was accompanied to the imperial tribunal by the hatred of his countrymen; and his future appeared dark and threatening. He knew that he might have come to die. 2. But at this conjuncture he was cheered by "the brethren" of Rome, who, hearing of the apostle's approach, came thus far on the road to greet him. This was acting like brethren; it was a practical exhibition of Christian sympathy and love. II. THE EMOTION AWAKENED BY THE RETROSPECT OF THE PAST AND THE EXPERIENCE OF THE PRESENT. Paul thanked God for His past faithfulness, for the honour put upon him, in that he had been suffered to labour and to endure hardship and persecution for Christ's sake; and especially because God had put it in the hearts of His people to show the kindness to His servant. III. THE EMOTION AROUSED BY THE PROSPECT IN THE FUTURE. Paul took courage. Why? Because his friends were by his side; and better still, the Lord Himself was with him. In entering the metropolis of the world as a prisoner, Paul had need of some encouragement, lest his brave heart should shrink within him. And here we see that Divine grace was sufficient for him. (Family Churchman.) Parallel Verses KJV: And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. |
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