Action Activity Advise Alone Aloof Case Counsel Destroyed Fail Hold Human Leave Naught Nothing Nought Origin Overthrown Plan Present Purpose Refrain Scheme Stay Teaching Undertaking Withdraw
5:38 And now I say unto you, {n} Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of {o} men, it will come to nought:
(n) He dissuades his fellows from murdering the apostles, neither does he think it good to refer the matter to the Roman magistrate, for the Jews could endure nothing worse than to have the tyranny of the Romans confirmed.
(o) If it is counterfeit and devised.
5:38 Let them alone - In a cause which is manifestly good, we should immediately join. In a cause, on the other hand, which is manifestly evil, we should immediately oppose. But in a sudden, new, doubtful occurrence, this advice is eminently useful. If this counsel or this work - He seems to correct himself, as if it were some sudden work, rather than a counsel or design. And so it was. For the apostles had no counsel, plan, or design of their own; but were mere instruments in the hand of God, working just as he led them from day to day.
5:34-42 The Lord still has all hearts in his hands, and sometimes directs the prudence of the worldly wise, so as to restrain the persecutors. Common sense tells us to be cautious, while experience and observation show that the success of frauds in matters of religion has been very short. Reproach for Christ is true preferment, as it makes us conformable to his pattern, and serviceable to his interest. They rejoiced in it. If we suffer ill for doing well, provided we suffer it well, and as we should, we ought to rejoice in that grace which enabled us so to do. The apostles did not preach themselves, but Christ. This was the preaching that most offended the priests. But it ought to be the constant business of gospel ministers to preach Christ: Christ, and him crucified; Christ, and him glorified; nothing beside this, but what has reference to it. And whatever is our station or rank in life, we should seek to make Him known, and to glorify his name.
Action Activity Advise Alone Aloof Case Counsel Destroyed Fail Hold Human Leave Naught Nought Origin Overthrown Plan Present Purpose Refrain Scheme Undertaking Withdraw Work
Action Activity Advise Alone Aloof Case Counsel Destroyed Fail Hold Human Leave Naught Nought Origin Overthrown Plan Present Purpose Refrain Scheme Undertaking Withdraw Work
