But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?”
When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”
Truth: When suffering for Christ Paul was willing to do so at the highest level.
When reading the above passage, we see that Paul, about to be flogged for his faith, appeals to his Roman citizenship. This appeal actually stops the flogging. Paul speaks out and avoids the beating. We might have a trouble with this passage when we read it in light of what Peter tells us in his epistle. Note Peter's words in regard to suffering for Christ (also composed by the Holy Spirit):
1 Peter 2:21-23 (ESV Strong's)
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
Peter tells us to suffer like Christ did. Christ said nothing and took the punishment for us. Why did Paul, then, claim his citizenship to Rome? Why not commit himself to "him who judges justly?" The key here is to realize that Paul had already been told by God, through a prophet, that he would suffer in Rome (Acts 21:10-12). By appealing to Roman law, Paul was willing to go to the highest court in the land to suffer. Paul was not appealing to Roman law to escape suffering. By appealing to Roman law he was putting himself right in the path of greater suffering. In fact, by going to Rome he would seal his death for Christ. Paul was willing to suffer to the greatest part for Christ. A beating would have been easy compared to what Paul was about to endure. By faith, he took the hard road.
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