SEV Biblia, Chapter 23:18
El entonces tomndole, le llev al tribuno, y dijo: El preso Pablo, llamndome, me rog que trajese a ti este joven, que tiene algo que hablarte.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 18. So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain , etc.] Immediately, without any more to do, without curiously inquiring into the thing, or examining the young man about it; which showed him to be a man of a good disposition, and ready to do a kind office, even to a prisoner: and said, Paul the prisoner called me to him ; either vocally or by some gesture, beckoned him to him: and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee ; in which may be observed the apostles manner of address to the centurion, on this occasion; it was by way of entreaty; he asked it as a favour of him, to introduce his nephew to the chief captain; and the honour and modesty of the centurion, he did not seek by any methods to get the secret out, either of Paul or the young man; but readily undertakes the affair, honourably performs it, acquaints the captain with the circumstances of it, tells him the young man had something to say to him, he could not tell what, and then departs.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 12-24 - False religious principles, adopted by carnal men, urge on to suc wickedness, as human nature would hardly be supposed capable of. Ye the Lord readily disappoints the best concerted schemes of iniquity Paul knew that the Divine providence acts by reasonable and pruden means; and that, if he neglected to use the means in his power, he could not expect God's providence to work on his behalf. He who wil not help himself according to his means and power, has neither reaso nor revelation to assure him that he shall receive help from God Believing in the Lord, we and ours shall be kept from every evil work and kept to his kingdom. Heavenly Father, give us by thy Holy Spirit for Christ's sake, this precious faith.
Greek Textus Receptus
ο 3588 T-NSM μεν 3303 PRT ουν 3767 CONJ παραλαβων 3880 5631 V-2AAP-NSM αυτον 846 P-ASM ηγαγεν 71 5627 V-2AAI-3S προς 4314 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM χιλιαρχον 5506 N-ASM και 2532 CONJ φησιν 5346 5748 V-PXI-3S ο 3588 T-NSM δεσμιος 1198 N-NSM παυλος 3972 N-NSM προσκαλεσαμενος 4341 5666 V-ADP-NSM με 3165 P-1AS ηρωτησεν 2065 5656 V-AAI-3S τουτον 5126 D-ASM τον 3588 T-ASM νεανιαν 3494 N-ASM αγαγειν 71 5629 V-2AAN προς 4314 PREP σε 4571 P-2AS εχοντα 2192 5723 V-PAP-ASM τι 5100 X-ASN λαλησαι 2980 5658 V-AAN σοι 4671 P-2DS
Vincent's NT Word Studies
18. The prisoner (o desmiov). From dew, to bind. Paul, as a Roman citizen, was held in custodia militaris, "military custody." Three kinds of custody were recognized by the Roman law: 1. Custodia publica (public custody); confinement in the public jail. This was the worst kind, the common jails being wretched dungeons. Such was the confinement of Paul and Silas at Philippi. 2. Custodia libera (free custody), confined to men of high rank. The accused was committed to the charge of a magistrate or senator, who became responsible for his appearance on the day of trial. 3. Custodia militaris (military custody). The accused was placed in charge of a soldier, who was responsible with his life for the prisoner's safe-keeping, and whose left hand was secured by a chain to the prisoner's right. The prisoner was usually kept in the barracks, but was sometimes allowed to reside in a private house under charge of his guard.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
23:18 {Paul the prisoner} (ho desmios paulos). Bound (desmios) to a soldier, but not with two chains (#21:33), and with some freedom to see his friends as later (#28:16), in military custody (_custodia militaris_). this was better than _custodia publica_ (public custody), the common prison, but more confining. {Who hath something to say to thee} (econta ti lalesai soi). Same idiom as in verse #17,19, but lalesai here instead of apaggeilai.
