Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 28:2
And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
2. And the barbarous people ] [ R. V. barbarians] The word is used in the original, as it was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Those who did not speak their language were to them always “barbarians” not necessarily in our modern sense but as strange and foreign folks. The language spoken in Malta was probably a Phnician dialect, as the island had received most of its inhabitants from Carthage, but had come under Roman rule in the second Punic war (Livy, xxi. 51).
shewed us no little [ R. V. no common] kindness ] The same Greek expression is used Act 19:11 of St Paul’s miracles. There both versions give “special” as the rendering. And we might here read “shewed us especial kindness.”
received us every one ] [ R. V. all] i.e. took us under their care. At first of course the hospitality would be shewn by kind treatment on the beach, evidenced by their lighting a fire. Afterwards, as the stay was of three months’ duration, the sailors and prisoners would find quarters in the dwellings of the natives. Paul, the centurion, and some others were received into the house of the chief magistrate. The rain continued after they had got ashore, and the storm had so lowered the temperature that the first thing to be done was to make a large fire.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And the barbarous people – See the notes on Rom 1:14. The Greeks regarded all as barbarians who did not speak their language, and applied the name to all other nations but their own. It does not denote, as it does sometimes with us, people of savage, uncultivated, and cruel habits, but simply those whose speech was unintelligible. See 1Co 14:11. The island is supposed to have been populated at first by the Phoecians, afterward by the Phoenicians, and afterward by a colony from Carthage. The language of the Maltese was that of Africa, and hence it was called by the Greeks the language of barbarians. It was a language which was unintelligible to the Greeks and Latins.
The rain – The continuance of the storm.
And …of the cold – The exposure to the water in getting to the shore, and probably to the coldness of the weather. It was now in the month of October.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Act 28:2
And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness; for they kindled a fire.
Glad surprises for Christian workers
God has glad surprises at every turn for those who trust Him, and who walk confidently in the path of duty. People who are called barbarous, or sordid, or cold-hearted, are found ready to show unlooked for kindness to the followers of Jesus. Every faithful mission school worker in the slums of a great city, every sensible Bible reader, or tract distributor, or street preacher, can bear witness to this fact. So also can anyone who has found himself sick, or with a sick friend among strangers. He can never forget the kindness then shown to him by those from whom he expected least. Every heart is human, and everything human is likely to show its humanity unexpectedly. The rudest people, as well as the people of Christian culture, may be trusted to show kindness to those who go among them in the name and in the spirit of Jesus. (H. C. Trumbull, D. D.)
Kindling afire
1. Here was an early Shipwrecked Mariners Society.
2. Among rough people there is much of genuine kindness. Let not people of a gentler mould, greater education, and larger possessions, come behind them.
3. Their kindness was thoroughly practical. We have too much of Be ye warmed, and too little kindling of fires.
4. There may be spiritual as well as physical cold, and for this last the kindling of a fire is needed. This is our present subject.
I. That we are very apt to be cold.
1. The world is a cold country for gracious men.
2. By reason of our inbred sin, we are cold subjects, and far too apt to be lukewarm, or frozen.
3. Cold seasons also come, when all around lies bound in frost. Ministers, churches, saints, are too often cold as ice.
4. Cold corners are here and there, where the sun seldom shines. Some good men live in such cold harbours.
5. Chilling influences are now abroad. Modern thought, worldliness, depression in trade, depreciation of prayer, etc. If we yield to the power of cold, we become first uncomfortable, next inactive, and then ready to die.
II. That there are means of warmth.
1. The Word of God is as a fire. Heard or read, it tends to warm the heart.
2. Private, social, and family prayer. This is as coal of Juniper.
3. Meditation and communion with Jesus (Psa 39:3; Luk 24:32).
4. Fellowship with other Christians (Mal 3:16).
5. Doing good to others (Job 42:10).
6. Returning to first love and doing first works would bring back old warmth (Rev 2:4-5). Let us get to these fires ourselves, lest we be frost-bitten and benumbed.
III. That we should kindle fires for others. We need the fire of revival, seeing so many are washed upon our shores in dying circumstances. Concerning a true revival, let it be remembered that it both resembles the fire in the text, and differs from it.
1. It must be lighted under difficulties–because of the present rain. The sticks are wet, the hearth is flooded, the atmosphere is damp. It is not easy to make a fire in such circumstances; and yet it must he done.
2. The fire we need cannot, however, be kindled by barbarians: the flame must come from above.
3. Once get the flame, the fire begins with littles. Small sticks are good for kindling.
4. It is well to nourish the flame by going down on your knees, and breathing upon it warm and hearty supplications.
5. It must be fed with fuel. Think of the great Paul picking up a bundle of sticks. Let each one bring his share.
6. This fire must be kindled for everyone. We must not be content till all the shivering ones are comforted.
7. The fire will be of great service, and yet it may warm into life more than one viper. Thank God, the fire which revived the creature into venomous life will also destroy it.
Conclusion:
1. What can we each do towards this fire? Can we not each one either kindle or feed the fire? Bring a stick.
2. Let no one damp the flame.
3. Let us pray. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
How to maintain spiritual warmth
Philip Henrys advice to his daughter was: If you would keep warm in this cold season (January, 1692), take these four directions:
1. Get into the sun. Under his blessed beams there are warmth and comfort.
2. Go near the fire. Is not My Word like a fire? How many cheering passages are there!
3. Keep in motion and action–stirring up the grace and gift of God that is in you.
4. Seek Christian communion. How can one be warm alone? (C. Spurgeon.)
The benignant soul
The benignant soul possesses a vital energy and an ubiquity which resembles the moss. It matters not to the healthy action of the mosses functions whether the surrounding air be stagnant or in motion, for we find them on the mountain top amid howling winds and driving storms, and in the calm, silent, secluded wood, where hardly a breeze penetrates to ruffle their leaves. The range of flowering plants is circumscribed by conditions of light, temperature, elevation above the sea, geological character of the district, and various other physical causes; but the wonderful vital energy with which the mosses are endowed, enables them to resist the most unfavourable influences, to grow freely and luxuriantly even in the bleakest circumstances, and to acclimatise themselves, without changing their character, in any region of the earth, and every kind of situation upon its surface. They symbolise the benignant soul. It is found in connection with every form of religion, and where there is no form of religion at all. In the fierceness of a worlds persecution it maintains its place, yet graces the humble secluded paths of private life. It is found in men of all colours and climes; and, in various forms, dwells wherever there is suffering which needs solacing, or calamities which demand heroism. (Scientific Illustrations.)
The reward of kindness
A young lady residing in Russellville once showed some kindness to an aged tramp. A few days afterwards the tramp sought her, and asked her for her name. He said: You are a good girl and I like you. Dont you know that you are the only person that has treated me with any kindness for years? They say I am old and crazy, but dont you believe em. I have got lots of money, and I am going to leave it all to you. The ladys mother coming in at this point, he repeated his remarks to her, and shaking hands with both ladies, left. Recently a letter was received by the lady to the effect that the man was dead, and that on his body a paper was found directing all his money, amounting to several thousand dollars, should be sent to her.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 2. The barbarous people] We have already seen that this island was peopled by the Phoenicians, or Carthaginians, as Bochart has proved, Phaleg. chap. xxvi.; and their ancient language was no doubt in use among them at that time, though mingled with some Greek and Latin terms; and this language must have been unintelligible to the Romans and the Greeks. With these, as well as with other nations, it was customary to call those , barbarians, whose language they did not understand. St. Paul himself speaks after this manner in 1Co 14:11: If I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a BARBARIAN, and he that speaketh shall be a BARBARIAN unto me. Thus Herodotus also, lib. ii. 158, says, The Egyptians call all those BARBARIANS who have not the same language with themselves. And Ovid, when among the Getes, says, in Trist. ver. 10:-
BARBARUS hic ego sum, quia non INTELLIGOR ulli.
“Here I am a barbarian, for no person understands me.”
Various etymologies have been given of this word. I think that of Bp. Pearce the best. The Greeks who traded with the Phoenicians, formed this word from their observing that the Phoenicians were generally called by the name of their parent, with the word bar, prefixed to that name; as we find in the New Testament men called Bar-Jesus, Bar-Tholomeus, Bar-Jonas, Bar-Timeus, c. Hence the Greeks called them , meaning the men who are called Bar Bar, or have no other names than what begin with Bar. And because the Greeks did not understand the language of the Phoenicians, their first, and the Romans in imitation of them, gave the name of Barbarians to all such as talked in a language to which they were strangers.” No other etymology need be attempted this is its own proof; and the Bar-melec in the preceding epitaph is, at least, collateral evidence. The word barbarian is therefore no term of reproach in itself; and was not so used by ancient authors, however fashionable it may be to use it so now.
Because of the present rain and – of the cold.] This must have been sometime in October; and, when we consider the time of the year, the tempestuousness of the weather, and their escaping to shore on planks, spars, &c., wet of course to the skin, they must have been very cold, and have needed all the kindness that these well disposed people showed them. In some parts of Christianized Europe, the inhabitants would have attended on the beach, and knocked the survivors on the head, that they might convert the wreck to their own use! This barbarous people did not act in this way: they joined hands with God to make these sufferers live.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The barbarous people; so the Grecians and Romans called all other nations that did not receive their customs, nor speak their language, 1Co 14:11; and to this day the African coast over against this island is called Barbary.
For they kindled a fire, &c.: how far is this humanity of heathens beyond that inhumanity which some that are called Christians use towards those that are shipwrecked, and their goods that come on shore!
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. the barbarous peoplesocalled merely as speaking neither the Greek nor the Latinlanguage. They were originally Phoelignician colonists.
showed us no little“noordinary”
kindness, for they kindled afire, and received us every one, because of the present rain“therain that was on us”not now first falling, but then fallingheavily.
and because of thecoldwelcomed us all, drenched and shivering, to these mostseasonable marks of friendship. In this these “barbarians”contrast favorably with many since bearing the Christian name. Thelifelike style of the narrative here and in the following versesgives it a great charm.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness,…. The inhabitants of this island are called barbarians, not from the country of Barbary, near to which they were; nor so much on account of their manners, for, though Heathens, they were a civil and cultivated people, being, as appears from the name of the chief man of the island, under the Roman government; but because of their language, see 1Co 14:11, it being neither Hebrew, Greek, nor Latin; for as the inhabitants were originally a colony of the Phoenicians, they spoke their language; and now though it is inhabited by such as are called Christians, they speak the Saracen or Arabic language, and little different from the old Punic or Phoenician language: however, though the inhabitants could not understand their language, they understood their case, and were very civil and humane to them, and showed them extraordinary kindness:
for they kindled a fire; or set fire to a large pile of wood; for a large fire it must be to be of service to such a number of people, in such a condition as they were:
and received us everyone: though their number were two hundred threescore and sixteen;
because of the present rain, and because of the cold; for a violent rain fell on them, as is usual upon a storm, and much wetted them, so that a fire was very necessary; and it being winter or near it, it was cold weather; and especially they having been so long in a storm, and now shipwrecked; and some having thrown themselves into the sea, and swam to the island; and others having been obliged to put themselves on boards and planks, and get ashore, and were no doubt both wet and cold; so that nothing was more needful and more agreeable to them than a large fire.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The barbarians ( ). The Greeks called all men “barbarians” who did not speak Greek (Ro 1:14), not “barbarians” in our sense of rude and uncivilized, but simply “foreign folk.” Diodorus Siculus (V. 12) says that it was a colony of the Phoenicians and so their language was Punic (Page). The word originally meant an uncouth repetition () not understood by others (1Co 14:11). In Col 3:11 Paul couples it with Scythian as certainly not Christian. These are (with verse 4 below) the only N.T. instances.
Showed us (). Imperfect active of with – instead of – as in Mr 8:7 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 339). It was their habit on this occasion, Luke means, they kept on showing.
No common kindness ( ). The old word (, ), love of mankind, occurs in the N.T. only here and Tit 3:4 (adverb in 27:3). See on 19:11 for this use of , “not the kindness that happens every day.” They were not “wreckers” to take advantage of the calamity.
They kindled a fire ( ). The only N.T. example and verse 3 of the old word (from , fire), a pile of burning fuel (sticks). First aorist active participle of , to set fire to, to kindle. Cf. in Lu 12:49.
Received us all ( ). Second aorist middle (indirect indicative of . They took us all to themselves (cf. Ac 18:26).
The present ( ). Second perfect active participle (intransitive) of , “the rain that stood upon them” (the pouring rain). Only in Luke and Paul in N.T.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Barbarous people. From the Roman point of view, regarding all as barbarians who spoke neither Greek nor Latin. Not necessarily uncivilized. It is equivalent to foreigners.
Compare Rom 1:14; 1Co 14:11. The inhabitants of Malta were of Carthaginian descent. “Even in the present day the natives of Malta have a peculiar language, termed the Maltese, which has been proved to be essentially an Arabic dialect, with an admixture of Italian” (Gloag).
No little [ ] . See on special, ch. 19 11. Rev., much better, “no common kindness.”
Kindness [] . See on the kindred adverb courteously, ch Act 28:3.
Present rain [ ] . Lit., which was upon us, or had set in. No mention of rain occurs up to this point in the narrative of the shipwreck. The tempest may thus far have been unattended with rain, but it is hardly probable.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And the barbarous people,” (hoti te barbaroi) “Then the foreign inhabitants,” though barbarous like people, so-called because they spoke neither Greek nor the Latin language, Rom 1:14; 1Co 14:11; Col 3:11. As former Phoenicians they are thought to have spoken either the Punic or Carthaginian dialect.
2) “Shewed us no little kindness: (pareichon ou ten techousan philanthropian) “Showed us not merely ordinary kindness,” but more than ordinary kindness or hospitality. They were therefore not savages or barbarians, in our sense of the term today, but showed Hebrew-Christian ethics of compassion, Heb 13:2; Gen 18:3; Mat 25:35.
3) “For they kindled a fire,” (hapsantes gar puran) “For when they had lit a fire,” to warm their chilling bodies and dry their clothes, with sympathy and care.
4) “And received us every one,” (proselabonto pantas humas) “They welcomed (heartily received) us all,” the entire 276, without respect of person, by reason of the storm and near tragedy of the shipwreck, Act 27:37; Act 27:41-44.
5) “Because of the present rain,” (dia tou hueton ton ephestota) “On account of the rain coming on us,” the rain that continued to pour down upon the island heavily under the passing storm.
6) “And because of the cold.” (kai dia to psuchos) “And on account of (because of) the cold,” that accompanied the rain, at the close of the Hebrew atonement and fast season, about the time of the autumn equinox, as the autumn cold presaged the winter, Act 27:9. These “barbarians” were more exemplary of charity, in an hour of need, than many since who have worn the name Christian. Their kindness to this band of drenched and shivering shipwreck victims reflects great charm.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(2) The barbarous people . . .It has been urged in favour of Meleda that this description is more applicable to the people of that island than to those of Malta, whom Diodorus Siculus (v. 12) describes as very rich, practising many trades, manufacturing fine clothes, and dwelling in large and splendid houses. It is obvious, however, that St. Luke uses the term, as St. Paul does (Rom. 1:14; 1Co. 14:11), and as was then common, as applicable to all races that did not speak Greek, and that such a term as Scythian (Col. 3:11) was used to describe what we should call barbarians or savages. For him barbarian was like the term native, which our travellers apply indiscriminately to Fiji Islanders and Cingalese. The language of Malta at the time, if not absolutely Punic, was probably a very bastard Greek. The inscriptions which have been found in the island are, as was natural, in the Greek and Latin, which were used as official languages by their rulers.
No little kindness.Literally, no common (or average) philanthropy. The idiom is the same as that of the special miracles of Act. 19:11.
And received us . . .The word implies both shelter and hospitality. Warmth, above all things, was needful for those who had been chilled and drenched; and for this purpose, probably in some open space, or atrium, a large fire was lighted.
Because of the present rain . . .The rain followed naturally on the cessation of the gale. The cold shows that the wind was not the Sirocco, which is always accompanied by heat.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. No little kindness To these refugees from the terrors of the storm the beaming faces even of barbarians were a welcome sunshine.
Rain cold The wet November blasts were sweeping their bodies, ill-clad, and perhaps some of them unclad.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And the barbarians showed us no common kindness, for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.’
There the people of the island welcomed them with extraordinary kindness, coming out into the appalling weather and kindling a fire for them to gather round as an antidote to the rain and the cold. Many from the boat would be suffering from hypothermia. The fire was literally a lifesaver.
There can be no doubt that God had landed the passengers in the right place. On other beaches they might have found people waiting to kill them as they landed so as to collect their possessions, or people so eager to gather the wood coming in from the vessel that they had not time to care for the desperate. But here all was kindness. Even the hearts of the people had been prepared.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 28:2. And the barbarous people The ancients looked upon islanders in general as uncivilized, for want of a more free and common conversation with the rest of mankind; and the Greeks and Romans in particular looked upon all nations, except their own, as barbarous. (See Rom 1:14.) The Maltese however were famous for their civility to strangers. See Diodor. Siculus, lib. 5: p. 204. Edit. Steph.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Act 28:2 . ] from a Roman point of view, because they were neither Greeks nor Romans, but of Punic descent, and therefore spoke a mixed dialect, neither Greek nor Latin. It was not till the second Punic war that Malta came under the dominion of the Romans, Liv. xxi. 51.
. ] See on Act 19:11 .
.] they took us to themselves . Comp. on Rom 14:1 .
. . .] on account of the rain which had set in . Comp. Polyb. xviii. 3. 7 : .
] thus to be accented, although in opposition to a preponderance of codd. (see Lipsius, gramm. Unters . p. 44), not . See Hom. Od. x. 555; Soph. Phil. 17.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
Ver. 2. And the barbarous people ] So the Grecians (and afterwards the Romans) called all other nations besides themselves. But now the Grecians, having lost their ancient liberty and glory, by means of the Turkish oppression, are become no less barbarous than those rude nations whom they before scorned. Which misery, with a thousand more, they may justly impute to their own ambition and discord.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2. ] A term implying very much what our word natives does, when speaking of any little-known or new place. They were not Greek colonists, therefore they were barbarians ( Rom 1:14 ). If it be necessary strictly to vindicate the term, the two following citations will do so: (Malta) , Diod. Sic. Act 28:12 . , , , , , , Scylax, Periplus, p.4.
. ] received us , not to their fire (Meyer), but as in reff.
] ‘Post ingentes ventos solent imbres sequi.’ Grot.
. ] not, ‘ which came on suddenly ’ (Meyer), but which was on us : another instance of overlooking the present sense of .
] This is decisive against the Sirocco, which is a hot and sultry wind even so late as the month of November, and moreover (Smith, p. 109) seldom lasts more than three days.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 28:2 . , i.e. , they were not a Greek-speaking population, cf. Rom 1:14 (not barbarians in the modern sense of rude and uncivilised); they were of Phnician descent, and came under the Roman dominion in the second Punic War, Livy, xxi., 51. Ramsay, St. Paul , p. 343, sees in the title an indication that the writer was himself of Greek nationality. For the use of the term in classical Greek, and by Philo and Josephus, see “Barbarian” (F. C. Conybeare), Hastings’ B.D., Grimm-Thayer, sub v. , and Mr. Page’s note. (In 2Ma 2:21 the writer describes Judas Maccabus as chasing “barbarous multitudes,” , retorting on the Greeks the epithet habitually applied by them to all nations not their own, Speaker’s Commentary .) See further the evidence of coins and inscriptions in Zahn, Einleitung , ii., 422, proving as against Mommsen that the Phnician tongue had not died out in the island, and cf. above, Introd., p. 8. ., cf. Act 19:11 , “nocommon kindness,” R.V. (and so A.V. in Act 19:11 ). .: see note on Act 27:3 . The word is found in LXX, Est 8:13 , 2Ma 6:22 ; 2Ma 14:9 , Mal 3:15Mal 3:15 ; Mal 3:18Mal 3:18 , and in classical Greek, but it was a word which a physician would be very likely to employ, for Hippocrates speaks of “philanthropy” in a physician as ever accompanying a real love of his profession. Galen distinguishes between those who healed through “philanthropy” and those who healed merely for gain, and even a more generous diet for the sick was called , Hobart, p. 296. The word is used here only and in Tit 3:4 in N.T. . , Luk 12:49 , Jas 3:5 ; if we read the simple verb (see critical note) we have it three times with in Luk 8:16 ; Luk 11:33 ; Luk 15:8 , and nowhere else in N.T. (except with meaning “to touch”). : only here and in Act 28:3 in N.T., cf. Jdt 7:5 , 1Ma 12:28 , 2Ma 1:22 ; 2Ma 10:36 (see H. and R.), and similar phrases in classical Greek. , cf. Act 17:5 , Act 18:26 for similar use, and five times by St. Paul; cf. 2Ma 10:15 , see critical note. , cf. Polyb., xviii. 3, 7; in N.T. 2Ti 4:6 , only in Luke and Paul, prsentem , Wetstein, “present,” A. and R.V. Weiss and De Wette take it as meaning that the rain suddenly came upon them. : this and the mention of the rain prove that St. Paul’s ship could not have encountered a sirocco wind, i.e. , from the south-east, for this only blows for two or three days, and even in November is hot and sultry (Hackett). W.H [424] read , but Weiss, Wendt, Blass as above, see Winer-Schmiedel, p. 68.
[424] Westcott and Hort’s The New Testament in Greek: Critical Text and Notes.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
barbarous people. Greek. barbaros. Elsewhere, Act 28:4. Rom 1:14. 1Co 14:11. Col 3:11. The Greeks called all people who did not speak Greek barbarians, The Maltese were Phoenicians.
no = not. Greek. ou. App-105.
little = ordinary, as in Act 19:11.
kindness. Greek. philanthropia. App-135.
kindled = having kindled. Greek. anapto. Only here, Luk 12:49. Jam 3:5.
fire. Greek. pura. Only here, and in Act 28:3.
received. Greek. proslambano. See Act 17:5.
because of. Greek. dia. App-104. Act 28:2.
present. Greek. ephistemi. Literally to come upon, as in Luk 2:9.
cold. Greek. psuchos. Only here, Joh 18:18. 2Co 11:27.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
2. ] A term implying very much what our word natives does, when speaking of any little-known or new place. They were not Greek colonists, therefore they were barbarians (Rom 1:14). If it be necessary strictly to vindicate the term, the two following citations will do so: (Malta) , Diod. Sic. Act 28:12.- , , , , , , Scylax, Periplus, p.4.
.] received us, not to their fire (Meyer), but as in reff.
] Post ingentes ventos solent imbres sequi. Grot.
.] not, which came on suddenly (Meyer), but which was on us:-another instance of overlooking the present sense of .
] This is decisive against the Sirocco, which is a hot and sultry wind even so late as the month of November, and moreover (Smith, p. 109) seldom lasts more than three days.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 28:2. , the Barbarians) A word of a middle sense between good and bad, not in itself a name of reproach. Drusius derives it from the Syriac bar, outside: so that barbarus should be said of one who uses an unknown tongue.-, for) Much praise is given to their prompt kindness towards strangers, who were many in number, though that kindness did not cost them much.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
barbarous: Act 28:4, Rom 1:14, 1Co 14:11, Col 3:11
showed: Act 27:3, Lev 19:18, Lev 19:34, Pro 24:11, Pro 24:12, Mat 10:42, Luk 10:30-37, Rom 2:14, Rom 2:15, Rom 2:27, Heb 13:2
because: Ezr 10:9, Joh 18:18, 2Co 11:27
Reciprocal: Act 27:2 – with us Act 28:7 – who Eph 4:32 – kind
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2
Act 28:2. Barbarous sometimes means to be rude in speech; rough, harsh. It also means to speak in a foreign tongue. At our place Thayer says it is not used reproachfully, and that the inhabitants were of Phoenician origin, who had some refinement of manners. These facts explain the kind treatment they gave the shipwrecked group.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 28:2. The barbarous people showed us no little kindness. No common kindness would be a more correct translation. The Greek word, too, for kindness () is worthy of remark. It denotes the kindness that is shown on the general ground of humanity, irrespective of differences of rank or race. It is the word used above (Act 27:3; see note there) of the treatment received from Julius at Sidon. The example of Heathens in such matters has often been a rebuke to Christians. In Tit 3:4 it may be said with reverence that the same use of the word is found.
As to the word barbarous here and barbarian in Act 28:4, it is clear that these people did not act as savages. Their generous and sympathetic conduct is strangely contrasted with the cruelty and plunder that have often disgraced wreckers on our own coast. But, indeed, the word has no such meaning. It denoted simply those who did not speak Greek or Latin (see Rom 1:14; 1Co 14:11; Col 3:11). The modern Maltese speak the Arabic, which was introduced at the Mohammedan conquest, with a slight admixture of Italian and English. This condition of things is in some degree parallel to that which existed under the Roman Empire. The Maltese then spoke Phoenician, with a slight admixture of Greek and Latin. Diodorus Siculus (Act 28:12) tells us that this island was originally colonized by the Phoenicians.
They kindled a fire. Here we touch one of the fantastic objections which have been brought forward against the identification of this Melita with the modern Malta. It is said, and quite truly, that there is now a great absence of wood in the bland. It might indeed be replied that a fire could have been made of driftwood from wrecks. The bundle of sticks, however, in the next verse points to the presence of brushwood. The true answer to the objection is that it is only in very modern times that the population of Malta has grown so enormously as to lead to the destruction of the natural wood of the island. Persons were recently living who remembered the growth of natural wood near St. Pauls Bay.
Received us every one. The natives of the island welcomed these cold and shipwrecked people to their company and to the warmth of the fire. The phrase every one expresses a hearty gratitude in St. Lukes remembrance of the scene.
Because of the present rain, and because of the cold. These particulars could hardly have been introduced so naturally, except by one who had been present on the occasion. Whatever the weather had been before, as to dryness or wet, rain was at this moment adding to their distress. The Greek verb is used here in its exact sense, as in Gal 1:4; 2Th 2:2. The cold of a northeasterly wind at this season must have been extreme; but even if the wind had changed with the coming on of the rain, we must remember that these shipwrecked people had passed through the waves in escaping to the land.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Act 28:2. And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness In our distressed circumstances; for they kindled a fire, &c., because of the present rain Which had followed the storm; and because of the cold With which, in our wet clothes, we were ready to perish. It must be observed, that the Romans and Greeks termed all people barbarians that differed from them in their language or customs. All mankind are therefore comprehended by the apostle under the distinction of Greeks and Barbarians, Rom 1:14. The Greeks and Romans, however, were in many respects more barbarous themselves (according to the common meaning of that term) than these islanders, who, as we learn from Diodorus Siculus, (lib. 5. page 204,) were noted for their civility to strangers, and who certainly, on this occasion, gave a striking proof of that civility. They were not, indeed, as here appears, much cultivated, but the generosity which they showed to these shipwrecked strangers was far more valuable in the sight of God, and all good men, than any varnish which the politest education could give, where it did not teach humanity and compassion.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
See notes on verse 1