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"Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you."
Verse Takeaways
1
Grace Under Fire
Commentators highlight Paul's remarkable character. Despite being violently attacked, he addresses the mob with the respectful term "Brethren and fathers." Scholars like John Calvin and John Gill note this shows a profound willingness to forgive and to honor people, even his enemies. This serves as a powerful example for Christians to engage with hostility not with anger, but with grace and respect.
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Book Overview
Acts
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8
18th Century
Presbyterian
Chapter 22
Men, brethren, and fathers. This defense was addressed to the Jews, and Paul began it with an expression of sincere resp…
Brethren and fathers (Ανδρες αδελφο κα πατερες) Men, brethren, and fathers. The very language used by Stephen (7:2) when arraigned…
19th Century
Anglican
Men, brethren, and fathers.—The apparently triple division is really only two-fold—Brethren and fathers. (See Note on Act…
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Baptist
People like to be addressed in their own language; they give the more heed to the message if it is spoken to them in words that they can understand…
Paul opens his defense with the formal Jewish address “Men, brothers” (cf. 7:2). Many commentators have objected that this speech does not fit the …
16th Century
Protestant
Though we may guess from the beginning of this speech what Paul’s intention was, yet because he was interrupted, we do not know for certain what he…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Men, brethren, and fathers A common form of address used by the Jews; see (Acts 7:2).
But that th…
The apostle addressed the enraged multitude in the customary style of respect and goodwill. Paul relates the history of his early life very particu…