Paul's Adherence to His Resolution to Visit Jerusalem; Acts 21:1-16 Part 5

Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57

Paul’s friends tried to dissuade him from going forward to Jerusalem. They showed a commendable affection for Paul, and a value for him, because of his great usefulness in the church. Yet there was a mixture of weakness, especially in those of Paul's company, who knew he undertook this journey by divine direction, and had seen with what resolution he had before broken through the like opposition. He reproves them for dissuading him. Here is a quarrel of love on both sides, and very sincere and strong affections clashing with each other. They love him dearly, and therefore oppose his resolution; he loves them dearly, and therefore chides them for opposing it: What do you mean; you to weep and try to break my heart? They were an offence to him, as Peter was to Christ, when, in a like case, he said, Master, spare yourself. Their weeping about him broke his heart. It was a temptation to him, it shocked him, it began to weaken and slacken his resolution, and caused him to entertain thoughts of giving in to them: "I know I am appointed to suffering, and you ought to animate and encourage me, and to say that which will strengthen my heart; but you, with your tears, break my heart, and discourage me. What do you mean by doing this? Has not our Master told us to take up our cross? And would you have me to avoid mine?" It was a trouble to him that they should so earnestly press him to that in which he could not gratify them without wronging his conscience. Paul was of a very tender spirit. As he was much in tears himself, so he had a compassionate regard to the tears of his friends; they made a great impression upon him, and would bring him almost to yield to anything. But now it breaks his heart, when he is under a necessity of denying the request of his weeping friends. It was an unkind kindness, a cruel pity, to torment him with their dissuasions, and to add affliction to his grief. When our friends are called out to sufferings, we shall show our love rather by comforting them than by sorrowing for them.