He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
Parallel translations
- WEB He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.
- KJV And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
- NKJV So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.
- NASB He gave orders to the centurion for Paul to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from providing for his needs.
- NLT He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Felix orders the centurion to keep Paul in custody but with privileges, allowing his friends to care for him. Paul is detained yet treated with relative leniency.
Overview
Recognizing Paul's innocence, Felix grants him a measure of freedom and access to his companions, easing his imprisonment. This kindness allowed friends and fellow believers to minister to him during the long detention. The arrangement shows God providing for his servant even in chains, sustaining him through the fellowship of the church.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Acts 28:16When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
- Acts 27:3The next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration, allowing him to visit his friends and receive their care.
- Acts 21:8–14Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.
- Acts 24:26At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
- Acts 28:31Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Acts 23:16But when the son of Paul’s sister heard about the plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.
- Acts 23:35he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s Praetorium.
- Prov 16:7When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
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Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.