SEV Biblia, Chapter 24:10
¶ Entonces Pablo, hacindole el gobernador seal que hablase, respondi: Porque s que desde hace muchos aos eres gobernador de esta nacin, con buen nimo satisfar por mí.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 24:10
Verse 10. Then Paul-answered] The apostle's defense consists of two parts:-1. The exordium, which has for its object the praise of his judge, whose qualifications to discern and decide on a question of this nature he fully allows; and expects, from this circumstance, to have a favourable hearing. 2. The tractation, which consists of two parts: I. REFUTATION: 1. of the charge of polluting the temple; 2. of stirring up sedition; 3. of being a leader of any sect who had a different worship from the God of their fathers. II. AFFIRMATION: 1. that he had lived so as to preserve a good conscience towards God, and towards men; 2. that so far from polluting the temple, he had been purified in it, and was found thus worshipping according to the law of God; 3. that what Tertullus and his companions had witnessed was perfectly false; and he defied them to produce a single proof, and appeals to those who had been witnesses of his conduct in Jerusalem, who should have been there could they have proved any thing against him.
Thou hast been of many years a judge] Cumanus and Felix were, for a time, joint governors of Judea; but, after the condemnation of Cumanus, the government fell entirely into the hands of Felix; and from Josephus we learn that this was now the sixth or seventh year of his administration, which might be called many years, when the very frequent removals of the governors of the provinces are considered. See Jos. Antiq. lib. xx. 7, and see the margin.
A judge-krithn, the same here in signification as the Hebrew fp shophet, which means a ruler or governor. This was the title of the ancient governors of Israel.
The more cheerfully] euqumoteron, With a better heart or courage, because, as thy long residence among us has brought thee to a thorough acquaintance with our customs, I may expect a proper decision in my favour, my cause being perfectly sound.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 10. Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned unto him to speak , etc.] Tertullus having finished his account, Paul was silent to his charge and calumnies, until the governor beckoned with his hand or head, or made some sign to him to speak for himself; which he might not do, until leave was given him; and then he answered as follows: forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation ; some say he was in the thirteenth, others in the tenth year of his government; some copies read a just judge; but this does not so well agree with the character of Felix; (see Gill on Acts 24:27). I do the more cheerfully answer for myself ; since if he had been such a mover of sedition everywhere, he must in this course of years have known or heard something of it; and seeing also he could be no stranger to the temper of the Jews, that they were given to envy, revenge, lying, and perjury, and therefore would not easily believe all they said, or rashly take their part, but rather would pity the apostle, who had fallen into such hands, and do him justice.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 10-21 - Paul gives a just account of himself, which clears him from crime, an likewise shows the true reason of the violence against him. Let u never be driven from any good way by its having an ill name. It is very comfortable, in worshipping God, to look to him as the God of ou fathers, and to set up no other rule of faith or practice but the Scriptures. This shows there will be a resurrection to a fina judgment. Prophets and their doctrines were to be tried by their fruits. Paul's aim was to have a conscience void of offence. His car and endeavour was to abstain from many things, and to abound in the exercises of religion at all times; both towards God. and towards man If blamed for being more earnest in the things of God than ou neighbours, what is our reply? Do we shrink from the accusation? Ho many in the world would rather be accused of any weakness, nay, even of wickedness, than of an earnest, fervent feeling of love to the Lor Jesus Christ, and of devotedness to his service! Can such think that He will confess them when he comes in his glory, and before the angels of God? If there is any sight pleasing to the God of our salvation, and sight at which the angels rejoice, it is, to behold a devoted followe of the Lord, here upon earth, acknowledging that he is guilty, if it be a crime, of loving the Lord who died for him, with all his heart, an soul, and mind, and strength. And that he will not in silence see God' word despised, or hear his name profaned; he will rather risk the ridicule and the hatred of the world, than one frown from that graciou Being whose love is better than life.
Greek Textus Receptus
απεκριθη 611 5662 V-ADI-3S δε 1161 CONJ ο 3588 T-NSM παυλος 3972 N-NSM νευσαντος 3506 5660 V-AAP-GSM αυτω 846 P-DSM του 3588 T-GSM ηγεμονος 2232 N-GSM λεγειν 3004 5721 V-PAN εκ 1537 PREP πολλων 4183 A-GPN ετων 2094 N-GPN οντα 5607 5752 V-PXP-ASM σε 4571 P-2AS κριτην 2923 N-ASM τω 3588 T-DSN εθνει 1484 N-DSN τουτω 5129 D-DSN επισταμενος 1987 5740 V-PNP-NSM ευθυμοτερον 2115 ADV τα 3588 T-APN περι 4012 PREP εμαυτου 1683 F-1GSM απολογουμαι 626 5736 V-PNI-1S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
10. The more cheerfully (euqumoteron). The best texts read the positive of the adverb, eujqumwv, cheerfully.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
24:10 {When the governor had beckoned to him} (neusantos autwi tou hegemonos). Genitive absolute again with first aorist active participle of neuw, to give a nod, old word, in N.T. only here and #Joh 13:24. "The governor nodding to him." {Forasmuch as I know} (epistamenos). Knowing, from epistamai. {That thou hast been of many years a judge} (ek pollwn etwn onta se kriten). The participle in indirect assertion after epistamenos (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1041). Paul goes as far as he can in the way of a compliment. For seven years Felix has been governor, onta being a sort of progressive present participle with ek pollwn etwn (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 892). {Cheerfully} (euqumws). Old adverb from euqumos (eu and qumos, good spirit), here only in N.T. {Make my defence} (apologoumai). Old and regular word for this idea as in #Lu 21:14 which see.
