Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?”
He said, “Yes.” Acts 22:27

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A literal translation is, “And the commander, having come near, said to him, ‘Tell me, are you Roman?’ And he said, ‘Yes.’”

The centurion had just gone to the commander and informed him of Paul’s claim of being Roman. Having heard this, Luke next records, “And the commander, having come near, said to him, ‘Tell me, are you Roman?’”

The commander seems truly shocked by the claim, as seen in his words. The “you” in the question is emphatic. In essence, “You? Roman?” By this time, the commander is certainly scared, probably in disbelief, and surely baffled. The coming response would make his heart drop, “And he said, ‘Yes.’”

The commander never thought to ask, and now he was in a very difficult position before the law. If Paul were to press the matter, he might find himself reduced in rank, sent to an even worse outpost, or even imprisoned for having failed in properly discharging his duties in this regard.

As for Paul’s response, it is unimaginable that he would lie about such a thing. As Ellicott notes, “The combination of so many more or less discordant elements was so exceptional as to be almost incredible.”

Paul’s answer is either horrifyingly true or it is the answer of a fool with a death wish. Attempting to claim such a position to which he had no right would be the claim of a madman. Therefore, the commander must assume it to be true.

Life application: Paul directly appealed to his citizenship as a right that he possessed and which he was exercising that right to. This sentiment is found throughout Scripture, and the reason it is so is because God has set the nations before Him. By dividing the peoples by individual languages, He directed that they would unite in a manner that would result in the establishment of individual nations.

Within those nations, those who are citizens are given the right to whatever benefits are to be derived from such citizenship. How tragic it is that Christians in today’s world have failed to rightly understand this, and they have ceded their rights by not voting according to biblical principles.

For each Christian who neglects to vote, there is another non-Christian with whatever perverse agenda he is supporting. The vote of the Christian is lost. Along with that, his own rights are slowly stripped away from him. This is all because of a failure to responsibly act in the nation where God has placed him.

When people such as this are rounded up for extermination, they will only be able to blame themselves. If you are a citizen of a nation with a right such as voting, use your right to the glory of God. In such instances, failing to be responsible because of supposed piety will only lead to future tragedy.

Lord God, may we be aware of our position within the societies You have placed us. When we have a right that allows for our active participation, may we be wise and responsible to act for the betterment of the nation in which we live. In failing to act, we are only bringing disaster upon ourselves. Thank You for the rights we possess in the land in which we live. May we use them to Your glory. Amen.