Acts 26:24-25 And as he thus spoke for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are beside yourself; much learning does make you mad.… I. THE CHARGE OF FESTUS. He did not denounce Paul as a hypocrite or a knave, but rather as a brainless fanatic. This impression, though false, might have been sincere. The charge of madness against the earnest advocates of Christianity is very — 1. Easy. It requires no thought. Nothing is less difficult than to dispose of great questions in this way. 2. Common. It is what the careless and the profligate are constantly alleging against earnest teachers. 3. Foolish. Because no class of men are influenced by higher reason than the genuine advocates of religion. Posterity has long since decided who was the madman, Paul or Festus. II. THE REPLY OF PAUL. 1. He respectfully denies the charge. 2. He describes the true character of his teaching. "Truth" here stands opposed to falsehood, and "soberness" to mental derangement. "I speak," as if Paul had said, "the words of reality and the words of reason. 3. He obliquely rebukes Festus. He turns from him as if he would ignore his existence, and addresses himself to the king. As if Paul had said to Festus, It is not surprising that you cannot understand me; you are not a Jew. You have already misunderstood me. I am not speaking to you, but to the king; for the king knoweth of these things," etc. In thus acknowledging the king's acquaintance with the subject, Paul's aim was not to flatter the monarch, but to humble Festus. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. |
    |