Prudence: Sergius Paulus
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Prudence is a virtue that involves the ability to govern and discipline oneself through the use of reason. In the biblical context, prudence is often associated with wisdom, discernment, and the careful consideration of one's actions in accordance with God's will. The Book of Proverbs frequently extols the value of prudence, as seen in Proverbs 8:12 : "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion."

Sergius Paulus is a notable figure in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. He was the proconsul of Cyprus during the first missionary journey of the Apostle Paul and Barnabas. Sergius Paulus is described as an intelligent and discerning man, which aligns with the biblical understanding of prudence.

In Acts 13:6-12 , Paul and Barnabas encounter Sergius Paulus in Paphos, where he summons them to hear the word of God. The passage reads: "When they had traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. The proconsul, seeking to hear the word of God, summoned Barnabas and Saul."

Sergius Paulus's prudence is evident in his desire to hear the word of God, demonstrating an openness to truth and a willingness to seek wisdom beyond the prevailing pagan beliefs of his time. His discernment is further highlighted when he witnesses the confrontation between Paul and Elymas the sorcerer, who attempts to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebukes Elymas, causing him to become temporarily blind. Acts 13:12 states: "When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord."

The conversion of Sergius Paulus is significant as it marks one of the first recorded instances of a Roman official embracing the Christian faith. His prudence allowed him to recognize the truth of the Gospel, despite the opposition and deceit he faced from Elymas. This event underscores the importance of prudence in discerning truth and making decisions that align with God's purposes.

Sergius Paulus's encounter with Paul and Barnabas serves as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel and the role of prudence in guiding individuals toward faith. His account encourages believers to seek wisdom and understanding, to be open to the truth of God's word, and to exercise discernment in their spiritual journey.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Acts 13:7
Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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Acts XIII
... prudent Sergius Paulus. When, however, two other Jews appeared in Paphos, claiming
to bring additional revelations from the God of Israel, the same prudence ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiii.htm

Acts xiii. 4, 5
... was Bar-jesus: which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent ...
And observe his prudence: where the word was already sown, he passes on: but ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxviii acts xiii 4.htm

1 John iv. 16-Dec
... his Creator, to praise his Creator: he hath this intelligence, who hath prudence. ...
to Paul was designed to commemorate the conversion of Sergius Paulus, Acts 13 ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily viii 1 john iv.htm

The Ordination of Paul and Barnabas; their Missionary Tour in Asia ...
... Did it necessarily add anything to the eloquence, or the prudence, or the knowledge ...
by the accession of no less illustrious a convert than Sergius Paulus, [75:4 ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter v the ordination of.htm

The Evidences of Christianity, Deduced from the New Testament ...
... an imposture, they must, with the most ordinary share of prudence, have foreseen ...
imposed upon than others: for, (not to mention Sergius Paulus, Dionysius the ...
/.../the evidences of christianity/the evidences of christianity deduced.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about applied kinesiology? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about gray hair? | GotQuestions.org

Is “you only live once / YOLO” something a Christian should live by? | GotQuestions.org

Prudence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Prudence

Prudence in Avoiding his Enemies

Prudence in Charging Those Who Were Healed not to "Advertise" his Miracles

Prudence in Circumcising Timothy

Prudence in Performing Temple Rites

Prudence in Turning the Jewish Sects Against Each Other

Prudence in Walking "No Longer Openly"

Prudence of the Wicked: Defeated by God

Prudence of the Wicked: Denounced by God

Prudence of the Wicked: Fails in Times of Perplexity

Prudence of the Wicked: Keeps Them from the Knowledge of the Gospel

Prudence of the Wicked: Necessity For-Illustrated

Prudence: Abigail

Prudence: Abigail, in Averting David's Anger

Prudence: Achish, in Dismissing David

Prudence: Aged Counsellors of Rehoboam

Prudence: Avoiding Suspicion in Administering the Gifts of the Congregations

Prudence: Certain Elders of Israel

Prudence: Daniel

Prudence: David

Prudence: David, in his Conduct Toward Saul

Prudence: David, in Overthrowing Ahithophel's Shrewd Advice

Prudence: Elijah, in his Escape from Jezebel

Prudence: Exemplified by Christ

Prudence: Exhibited in the Manifestation of God's Grace

Prudence: Gamaliel

Prudence: General Scriptures Concerning

Prudence: Gideon

Prudence: Going to the Feast Secretly

Prudence: His Lack of

Prudence: Intimately Connected With Wisdom

Prudence: Jacob

Prudence: Jacob, in his Conduct Toward Esau

Prudence: Jacob, Toward his Sons, After Dinah's Defilement

Prudence: Jehoram, in Suspecting a Syrian Stratagem

Prudence: Jethro

Prudence: Jethro's Advice to Moses

Prudence: Joseph

Prudence: Joseph, in his Conduct Toward Mary

Prudence: Joseph, in the Affairs of Egypt

Prudence: Nehemiah

Prudence: Nehemiah, in Conduct of Affairs at Jerusalem

Prudence: Paul

Prudence: Paul and Barnabas, in Escaping Persecution

Prudence: Paul and Silas, in Escaping from Berea

Prudence: Peter, in Escaping from Herod Agrippa I

Prudence: Rehoboam's Advisers

Prudence: Saints Act With

Prudence: Saints should Especially Exercise, in Their Intercourse With

Prudence: Saul, in not Killing the Jabesh-Gileadites

Prudence: Sergius Paulus

Prudence: Solomon

Prudence: The Israelites, in the Threatened War With the Two and One-Half Tribes

Prudence: The Poor Wise Man

Prudence: The Scribe

Prudence: The Town Clerk of Ephesus, in Averting a Riot

Prudence: The Wise Celebrated For

Prudence: The Young should Cultivate

Prudence: They Who Have are Preserved by It

Prudence: They Who Have: Crowned With Knowledge

Prudence: They Who Have: Deal With Knowledge

Prudence: They Who Have: Foresee and Avoid Evil

Prudence: They Who Have: Get Knowledge

Prudence: They Who Have: Keep Silence in the Evil Time

Prudence: They Who Have: Look Well to Their Goings

Prudence: They Who Have: Not Ostentatious of Knowledge

Prudence: They Who Have: Regard Reproof

Prudence: They Who Have: Suppress Angry Feelings

Prudence: They Who Have: Understand the Ways of God

Prudence: They Who Have: Understand Their own Ways

Prudence: Virtuous Wives Act With

Related Terms

Prudent (40 Occurrences)

Discretion (20 Occurrences)

Subtil (3 Occurrences)

Subtlety (3 Occurrences)

Subtilty (9 Occurrences)

Subtle (5 Occurrences)

Simple (40 Occurrences)

Tongues (67 Occurrences)

Proverbs (11 Occurrences)

Sirach

Nabal (18 Occurrences)

Getting (151 Occurrences)

Getteth (11 Occurrences)

Witty (1 Occurrence)

Wondrously (6 Occurrences)

Insight (39 Occurrences)

Ingenious (1 Occurrence)

Inventions (8 Occurrences)

Foresight (2 Occurrences)

Flog (7 Occurrences)

Fools (53 Occurrences)

Tact (1 Occurrence)

Thoughtless (17 Occurrences)

Reproof (29 Occurrences)

Reproved (20 Occurrences)

Reflection (3 Occurrences)

Eunice (1 Occurrence)

Endued (7 Occurrences)

Devices (43 Occurrences)

Despises (16 Occurrences)

Marvelously (4 Occurrences)

Get (2204 Occurrences)

Providence (3 Occurrences)

Prowls (2 Occurrences)

Policy (3 Occurrences)

Betray (29 Occurrences)

Correction (26 Occurrences)

Caution (2 Occurrences)

Counsel (192 Occurrences)

Ar'i-och (4 Occurrences)

Arioch (6 Occurrences)

Abounded (6 Occurrences)

Abigail (18 Occurrences)

Areopagus (3 Occurrences)

Smitest (5 Occurrences)

Superlative (2 Occurrences)

Sage (1 Occurrence)

Share (138 Occurrences)

Scoffer (11 Occurrences)

Abound (36 Occurrences)

Wherein (208 Occurrences)

Appeal (30 Occurrences)

Shows (42 Occurrences)

Bodyguard (23 Occurrences)

Heeds (9 Occurrences)

Drunkenness (10 Occurrences)

Headless (1 Occurrence)

Fire (602 Occurrences)

Hebrews (24 Occurrences)

Ishmael (44 Occurrences)

Wisdom (320 Occurrences)

Rebuke (77 Occurrences)

Learn (76 Occurrences)

Josiah (51 Occurrences)

Fool (95 Occurrences)

Husband (154 Occurrences)

Education (4 Occurrences)

Keys (2 Occurrences)

David (1052 Occurrences)

Gain (142 Occurrences)

Power (862 Occurrences)

Epistles (2 Occurrences)

Thessalonians (6 Occurrences)

Daniel (74 Occurrences)

Paul (207 Occurrences)

Anem (1 Occurrence)

Solomon (277 Occurrences)

Consist (7 Occurrences)

Second (2060 Occurrences)

Prudence: Saul, in not Killing the Jabesh-Gileadites
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