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.
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.
- BSB He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
- 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 28:16And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
- Acts 27:3And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
- Acts 21:8–14And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
- Acts 24:26He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
- Acts 28:31Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
- Acts 23:16And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
- Acts 23:35I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.
- Prov 16:7When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be 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
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