Acts 22:25

And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

And {G1161} as {G5613} they bound {G4385}{G4385} him {G846} with thongs {G2438}, Paul {G3972} said {G2036} unto {G4314} the centurion {G1543} that stood by {G2476}, Is it lawful {G1487}{G1832} for you {G5213} to scourge {G3147} a man {G444} that is a Roman {G4514}, and {G2532} uncondemned {G178}?

But as they were stretching him out with thongs to be flogged, Sha’ul said to the captain standing by, “Is it legal for you to whip a man who is a Roman citizen and hasn’t even had a trial?”

But as they stretched him out to strap him down, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen without a trial?”

And when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

Context

This verse immediately follows Paul's tumultuous arrest in Jerusalem, where he had been seized by a mob in the temple courts (Acts 21:30) and subsequently rescued by the Roman chief captain, Lysias. After Paul addressed the agitated crowd in Hebrew, causing further uproar, Lysias ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks and examined by scourging to discover the reason for the commotion (Acts 22:24). It is at this critical moment, as preparations for the brutal flogging begin, that Paul reveals a crucial piece of information about his status.

Key Themes

  • Roman Citizenship and Rights: Paul's declaration highlights the significant legal protections afforded to Roman citizens. A Roman citizen could not be scourged (flogged) without a proper trial and conviction, nor could they be bound or put to death without due process. This right was a powerful defense against arbitrary punishment. Paul had used this right strategically before to protect himself and his companions (Acts 16:37).
  • Justice and Due Process: Paul's question challenges the legality of the centurion's actions, emphasizing the principle that an individual should not be punished, especially severely, without being "uncondemned"—that is, without a formal accusation, trial, and verdict. This underscores the importance of fair legal proceedings.
  • Paul's Strategic Wisdom: Paul, though a zealous evangelist, was also remarkably shrewd. He chose the precise moment to reveal his citizenship, not merely to avoid suffering, but to prevent an unlawful act and to gain an audience with Roman officials where he could continue to bear witness to Christ. This demonstrates his reliance on divine providence and a wise use of the circumstances (Acts 23:11).
  • Divine Protection: While Paul actively uses his legal rights, his survival and continued ministry are ultimately under God's sovereign hand. This incident prevents severe physical harm and opens doors for his testimony to reach higher authorities in the Roman Empire.

Linguistic Insights

The term "scourge" (Greek: mastigoo) refers to a severe flogging, typically with a whip (mastix) that could have multiple thongs, sometimes embedded with bone or metal pieces. It was designed to inflict extreme pain, tear flesh, and could even lead to death. It was a particularly brutal punishment, especially when applied to free men or citizens, and was reserved for the most serious offenses or for slaves. Paul's simple yet potent question, "Is it lawful...?", immediately brings the centurion's actions under scrutiny against established Roman law.

Practical Application

Acts 22:25 offers several insights for believers today:

  • Knowing Your Rights: Like Paul, we should be aware of the legal and civil rights afforded to us in our societies, using them wisely and lawfully when necessary to protect ourselves or further the gospel.
  • Wisdom in Adversity: Paul's timing and direct question show great wisdom and discernment. We are called to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16), discerning when to speak up, how to articulate our position, and how to navigate difficult or unjust situations.
  • God's Sovereign Hand: Even in moments of danger or unjust accusation, God is at work, often using human actions, legal systems, and our own discernment to accomplish His purposes. Paul's citizenship, though a human status, became a key tool in God's plan for him to testify in Rome and fulfill his mission.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 16:37

    But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast [us] into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

  • Acts 25:16

    To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

  • Acts 27:43

    But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from [their] purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast [themselves] first [into the sea], and get to land:

  • Acts 22:27

    Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

  • Acts 22:28

    And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was [free] born.

  • Acts 23:17

    Then Paul called one of the centurions unto [him], and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

  • Acts 10:1

    ¶ There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian [band],

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