Be a person of high character. That's what we learn from Paul in this passage. As he stands trial before the Sanhedrin, he's hit across the mouth on the order of the high priest. I don't know much about Jewish law, but it seems like a cheap shot to me. Paul called them on it, and was rebuked when he learned that the high priest had ordered the hit. Immediately, Paul recanted and implied an apology for his offense. Even though they were taking cheap shots, Paul tried to stay above that.
Later, the Roman commander, Claudius Lysias, wrote a letter to the governor on Paul's behalf. This followed Paul's nephew reporting a plot to kill the Jews. I've got to believe that the commander would not have listened to just any prisoner that said they were in danger and that he would not have cared either way in most cases anyway. In Paul's case, he not only cared, he assigned 470 men to sneak Paul out of the city and guard him on his way to the governor's palace. Along with that he sent a letter that clearly stated his belief in Paul's innocence and requesting protection for the prisoner. How many prisoners do you think a Roman commander ever tried to protect? I'll bet not many.
All of this testifies to the quality of character that Paul demonstrated while in the presence of his enemies. Can you say the same? If you were wrongly accused would you character be that of Paul's? Or would you make a fool of yourself and confirm everyone's suspicions?
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