Topical Bible: Anger: Paul, Toward Ananias

◄ Anger: Paul, Toward Ananias ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul is depicted as a fervent and zealous servant of Christ, often displaying righteous indignation in defense of the Gospel. One notable instance of Paul's anger is directed toward Ananias, the high priest, as recorded in the Book of Acts.

Context and Background

The incident occurs during Paul's defense before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, in Jerusalem. Paul had been arrested and was facing accusations from the Jewish leaders. As he stood before the council, Paul began to speak in his defense, asserting his clear conscience before God.

The Incident

Acts 23:1-5 provides the account of this confrontation:

"Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, 'Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.' At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, 'God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.' But those standing nearby said, 'How dare you insult the high priest of God!' 'Brothers,' Paul replied, 'I was not aware that he was the high priest. For it is written: "Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people."'"

Analysis

Paul's anger toward Ananias is a reaction to the high priest's unlawful command to strike him, which was a violation of Jewish law. Paul's response, calling Ananias a "whitewashed wall," is a metaphorical rebuke, suggesting hypocrisy and corruption. The term "whitewashed wall" implies an outward appearance of purity that conceals inner decay, echoing Jesus' own rebukes of the Pharisees (cf. Matthew 23:27).

Paul's anger is not a personal vendetta but rather a defense of justice and the law. His immediate recognition of the scriptural command not to speak evil of a ruler (Exodus 22:28) demonstrates his respect for God's law, even in the face of personal injustice. This incident highlights the tension between righteous indignation and respect for authority, a balance that Paul navigates with humility and adherence to Scripture.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, this episode illustrates the complexity of righteous anger in the life of a believer. Paul's reaction is rooted in a deep commitment to truth and justice, reflecting the character of God, who is both just and merciful. It serves as a reminder that anger, when aligned with God's righteousness, can be a powerful force for confronting injustice and hypocrisy.

Furthermore, Paul's acknowledgment of his error upon realizing Ananias' position as high priest underscores the importance of humility and repentance. It exemplifies the Christian call to respect authority while standing firm in the truth, a principle that resonates throughout Paul's teachings.

Conclusion

The account of Paul's anger toward Ananias offers valuable insights into the nature of righteous indignation and the believer's responsibility to uphold justice while respecting authority. It challenges Christians to examine their own responses to injustice and to seek a balance that honors God and His commandments.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 23:3
Then said Paul to him, God shall smite you, you white washed wall: for sit you to judge me after the law, and command me to be smitten contrary to the law?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Paul a Prisoner
... to the control of blind, unreasoning anger, seeking to ... applied, in the case of Paul,
not only ... fully surrendered their feeling of bitterness toward the apostle ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 38 paul a prisoner.htm

Acts XXIII
... ruler of thy people." The flash of anger was but ... hatred toward the disciples and
jealousy toward the Pharisees ... Paul was near being a victim to the storm which ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxiii.htm

Sanctification.
... always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men," must ... the ruler of
thy people." In this case sinful anger has been imputed to Paul; but, so ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxviii sanctification.htm

Acts xxiii. 31, 32, 33
... void of offence both toward God, and toward men." (v ... This is why Paul has put it
in this way. ... be punished, then wouldest thou not have extinguished thine anger? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily l acts xxiii 31.htm

Acts xxi. 39, 40
... he first of all made them desist from their anger: then, how ... the law of the fathers,
and was zealous toward God, as ... p.124, note 2); as in fact (Paul) here adds ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlvii acts xxi 39.htm

Index of Subjects.
... as a safeguard to virtue, [70]111; virtuous anger how shown ... Marcionites, attitude
toward the Old Testament, [601]35. ... Saul did not lightly become Paul the Apostle ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/index of subjects.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... men angels, [60]198; is felt toward heathens and ... Anger, less vehement than lust,
[110]389; why implanted in us ... than Timothy, [116]263; esteemed by Paul, [117]267 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

Acts v. 34
... This Gamaliel was Paul's teacher ... into a passion when none moves to anger"what folly ...
Gamaliel, although tolerant toward Christianity, as the Pharisaic party in ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xiv acts v 34.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... 5By reason of rivalry and contention [35] Paul showed how ... Let us consider how free
he is from anger toward his whole creation. ... 7Or was Ananias, Azarias, or ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... Anger, darkens the mind's eye, [348]490. ... Paul: John would have solved St ... 356,
[438]357; disappointed in Faustus, [439]356; tended at times toward Academics: his ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm