Acts 22:25

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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?”

Berean Standard Bible

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?”

American Standard Version

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
As preparations for a brutal scourging commence, the Apostle Paul strategically intervenes by asserting his Roman citizenship and the fundamental right to due process, challenging the legality of the centurion's actions. This pivotal moment not only averts an unlawful punishment but also sets the stage for Paul to appeal to higher Roman authorities, demonstrating his astute wisdom and God's sovereign protection in advancing the gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a chaotic sequence in Jerusalem. Paul, having been falsely accused and attacked by a Jewish mob in the temple courts, was rescued by the Roman chief captain, Claudius Lysias, who then sought to understand the cause of the uproar ([Acts 21:27-36](/acts/21-27-36 "Paul's Arrest in the Temple")). Paul was granted permission to address the agitated crowd from the barracks stairs, speaking in Hebrew ([Acts 21:37-40](/acts/21-37-40 "Paul Addresses the Crowd")). However, his testimony, particularly the mention of his mission to the Gentiles, incited further rage, leading Lysias to order Paul to be brought into the barracks and examined by scourging to extract a confession ([Acts 22:22-24](/acts/22-22-24 "Paul's Testimony and the Crowd's Reaction")). It is precisely as the soldiers are binding Paul for this interrogation that he interjects, revealing his Roman status and challenging the legality of their intended actions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman citizenship was a highly prized status, conferring significant legal protections and privileges throughout the Roman Empire. Among these, the most pertinent to Paul's situation was the *Lex Porcia* and *Lex Sempronia*, which prohibited the scourging of a Roman citizen. Furthermore, a Roman citizen had the right to a fair trial, the right to appeal to Caesar (known as *provocatio ad Caesarem*), and could not be condemned without due process. Scourging (Latin: *flagellatio* or *verberatio*) was a severe form of punishment, often a prelude to crucifixion, designed to inflict extreme pain and even death. It was typically reserved for slaves, non-citizens, or criminals convicted of serious offenses. The centurion, as a Roman officer, would have been acutely aware of these laws and the severe penalties for violating a citizen's rights, including potential execution for himself.
* **Key Themes:** Paul's declaration in [Acts 22:25](/acts/22-25 "Paul's Assertion of Roman Citizenship") underscores several crucial themes. Firstly, it highlights the **importance of legal rights and due process**, demonstrating that even in a divinely guided mission, human legal frameworks can be utilized for protection and strategic advantage. Secondly, it showcases **Paul's strategic wisdom and discernment**; he does not reveal his citizenship immediately but at the critical juncture when his rights are about to be violated, thereby preventing an unlawful act and gaining an audience with Roman authorities. This aligns with the Lord's later assurance to Paul that he must testify in Rome ([Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "The Lord's Encouragement to Paul")). Thirdly, the incident reveals **God's sovereign hand in protecting His servants** and orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes. Paul's citizenship, though a secular status, becomes a providential tool in God's plan to bring the gospel to the highest echelons of the Roman Empire.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bound (Greek, _proteínō'_):** This verb, from πρό (pro, "before") and τείνω (teinō, "to stretch"), literally means "to stretch forth" or "to protend." In this context, it refers to the act of tying someone prostrate or stretching them out, specifically for the purpose of scourging. The imagery conveys the immediate, physical preparation for a brutal interrogation, emphasizing Paul's imminent danger.
* **lawful (Greek, _éxesti'_):** Impersonally, this word means "it is right" or "it is permissible." It carries the weight of legality and moral propriety. Paul's use of this term is not a question seeking information but a direct challenge to the centurion's authority and actions, appealing to established Roman law and the concept of justice that was foundational to Roman governance.
* **uncondemned (Greek, _akatákritos'_):** This compound word, formed from the negative particle 'a' (ἀ) and a derivative of 'to condemn' (κατακρίνω), means "without (legal) trial" or "uncondemned." It is the crux of Paul's legal argument, asserting that he has not been formally accused, tried, or found guilty of any crime, making any form of punishment, especially scourging, a grave violation of his rights as a Roman citizen.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And as they bound him with thongs":** This clause sets the immediate scene, highlighting the physical act of preparation for scourging. The "thongs" (Greek: _himás_) refer to the leather straps or whips used for flogging, emphasizing the severity of the impending punishment. The implication is that the process had already begun, making Paul's intervention timely and critical.
* **"Paul said unto the centurion that stood by":** This identifies Paul's direct and authoritative address to the Roman officer in charge. The centurion, a commander of a hundred men, represented Roman authority and law. Paul's choice to speak to him directly, rather than to the common soldiers, indicates his understanding of the chain of command and his intent to appeal to a higher level of responsibility.
* **"Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?":** This is the precise, penetrating question that halts the proceedings. It is a rhetorical question, not seeking an answer but asserting a legal truth. Paul combines two critical elements of his defense: his status as "a Roman" citizen and his state of being "uncondemned," meaning he had not received a legal trial or conviction. This question simultaneously challenges the centurion's authority, reminds him of Roman law, and asserts Paul's inviolable rights.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [Acts 22:25](/acts/22-25 "Paul's Assertion of Roman Citizenship") is the **Rhetorical Question**. Paul's inquiry, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?", is not posed to elicit information, but rather to make a forceful assertion of legal principle and to challenge the centurion's actions directly. It functions as a powerful legal argument, compelling the centurion to acknowledge the illegality of his intent without Paul having to explicitly state, "You cannot scourge me." This direct, yet indirect, confrontation is highly effective. Additionally, there is an element of **Irony** present. The Roman authorities, representatives of a system priding itself on law and order, are on the verge of violating their own fundamental legal principles by punishing an uncondemned Roman citizen. Paul's question exposes this contradiction, highlighting the potential for injustice even within a structured legal system.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's strategic use of his Roman citizenship in [Acts 22:25](/acts/22-25 "Paul's Assertion of Roman Citizenship") demonstrates a profound theological truth: God can use any means, including secular legal systems and personal status, to protect His servants and advance His kingdom purposes. Paul was not relying on his citizenship instead of God, but rather using it as a providential tool within God's larger plan. This incident underscores the importance of wisdom and discernment in navigating hostile environments, showing that faithfulness to Christ does not preclude intelligent engagement with the world's systems. It also highlights the biblical concept of justice and due process, principles that resonate throughout Scripture, emphasizing the value of human dignity and fair treatment, even for those accused. Ultimately, Paul's preservation here is not just for his personal safety but to enable his continued testimony, leading him closer to his ultimate goal of reaching Rome with the gospel.

* [Acts 16:37](/acts/16-37 "Paul's Use of Roman Citizenship in Philippi")
* [Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Our Citizenship is in Heaven")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 22:25 offers profound insights for believers navigating a complex world. Paul's actions remind us that while our ultimate citizenship is in heaven, we are also citizens of earthly nations, and we have a responsibility to understand and, when necessary, utilize the legal rights and protections afforded to us. This is not about self-preservation at all costs, but about discerning how God might use our circumstances, including our civil status, to further His purposes and protect our ability to proclaim the gospel. Paul’s wisdom in waiting for the precise moment to speak, and his clear, concise articulation of his rights, teaches us the importance of discernment, courage, and strategic thinking in the face of adversity. We are called to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" ([Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Jesus' Instruction to His Disciples")), recognizing that God often works through ordinary means and human agency to accomplish His extraordinary plans. Our reliance on God's sovereignty should not lead to passivity, but to active, Spirit-led engagement with the realities of our world, always seeking to honor Christ and advance His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's example challenge our understanding of "spiritual" versus "practical" wisdom in ministry and daily life?**
* **In what situations might we, as believers, be called to assert our legal or civil rights, not just for personal benefit, but for the sake of the gospel or justice?**
* **How can we cultivate the kind of discernment Paul displayed, knowing when to speak, what to say, and when to remain silent in challenging circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Was Paul's Roman citizenship a common thing for Jews in his time?**

Answer: While not every Jew was a Roman citizen, it was not exceptionally rare. Citizenship could be acquired through various means: by birth (if one's father was a citizen), through military service, or by purchase. Paul's family, being from Tarsus in Cilicia (a free city and a Roman provincial capital), likely acquired citizenship through one of these avenues, possibly through his ancestors' service or a grant to the city of Tarsus. Paul himself states in [Acts 22:28](/acts/22-28 "Paul's Citizenship by Birth") that he was "free born," indicating he inherited his citizenship from his parents, distinguishing him from the chief captain who "obtained this citizenship for a large sum."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Paul's dramatic assertion of his Roman citizenship, preventing an unlawful scourging, serves as a powerful testament to God's providential care for His servants and His strategic use of human circumstances to advance the gospel. While Paul leverages his earthly status, his ultimate reliance is on the divine commission to bear witness to Christ. This incident, preventing immediate harm, directly facilitates Paul's eventual journey to Rome, fulfilling the Lord's own declaration that Paul "must testify also at Rome" ([Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "The Lord's Encouragement to Paul")). In a profound way, Paul's experience echoes the trajectory of Christ Himself, who, though innocent, submitted to the unjust legal processes of His day, ultimately enduring the scourging and crucifixion that Paul was spared. Christ's perfect obedience and suffering, even unto death, secured the ultimate freedom and justification for all who believe, a freedom far surpassing any earthly legal protection. Paul, as an apostle of Christ, embodies the paradox of the gospel: empowered by divine authority, yet operating within human systems, always pointing back to the one who, by His sacrifice, established true justice and offered eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "For God So Loved the World")). Thus, Paul's legal defense, under God's sovereign hand, becomes a stepping stone in the unfolding narrative of redemption, carrying the message of the crucified and risen Christ to the very heart of the Roman Empire, demonstrating that no earthly power can ultimately thwart the divine plan ([Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "God Is For Us")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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],