Act 28:8-9 | KingComments | STEP | The kindness of the islanders is so great that even “the leading man [this is an official title] of the island” receives Paul and his companions kindly for three days. Then comes the opportunity for a compensation. Publius’ father has become seriously ill. Without any appeal to him, Paul goes to him. Once there, he prays first. In this way he makes it clear that it is not he, but God who can give the healing. Then he lays his hands on him and he heals him. When that is done, it is the turn of the rest of the people on the island who have diseases. They come to him and are cured. For a long time we have not heard of signs. Here we hear about it again. Signs are always a support for the Word that the apostles speak. Also here it is a sign that is done by an apostle ( ). Signs have a function at the beginning of a period. Paul is here on fallow ground where the gospel has never been heard. Because it is a new beginning for this island, signs have been done here as well. Signs are never an aim in themselves, but always connect to the proclamation of the Word ( ). Paul also proclaimed that, of course. It is so obvious that Luke does not even mention it. It is clear that the islanders are extremely thankful that they have heard and accepted the gospel and that they have been cured of diseases. The honors with which they venerate Paul and those with him for this have nothing to do with paying divine honors that Paul would certainly have rejected immediately. Peter calls us in his first letter in a general sense to honor all people ( ) and Paul says that we should honor those who deserve honor ( ). It is about the other person’s appreciation of who he is as a creature of God and if he has done something that deserves honor, we should not withhold our appreciation from the other person. That is what the islanders have done. When the company leaves the island, they all get what they need to continue the journey. In doing so, the islanders help them forward in a manner worthy of God (cf. ).

‏ Acts 28:8-9

Healings on Malta

The kindness of the islanders is so great that even “the leading man [this is an official title] of the island” receives Paul and his companions kindly for three days. Then comes the opportunity for a compensation. Publius’ father has become seriously ill. Without any appeal to him, Paul goes to him. Once there, he prays first. In this way he makes it clear that it is not he, but God who can give the healing. Then he lays his hands on him and he heals him. When that is done, it is the turn of the rest of the people on the island who have diseases. They come to him and are cured.

For a long time we have not heard of signs. Here we hear about it again. Signs are always a support for the Word that the apostles speak. Also here it is a sign that is done by an apostle (2Cor 12:12). Signs have a function at the beginning of a period. Paul is here on fallow ground where the gospel has never been heard. Because it is a new beginning for this island, signs have been done here as well. Signs are never an aim in themselves, but always connect to the proclamation of the Word (Heb 2:4). Paul also proclaimed that, of course. It is so obvious that Luke does not even mention it.

It is clear that the islanders are extremely thankful that they have heard and accepted the gospel and that they have been cured of diseases. The honors with which they venerate Paul and those with him for this have nothing to do with paying divine honors that Paul would certainly have rejected immediately.

Peter calls us in his first letter in a general sense to honor all people (1Pet 2:17) and Paul says that we should honor those who deserve honor (Rom 13:7). It is about the other person’s appreciation of who he is as a creature of God and if he has done something that deserves honor, we should not withhold our appreciation from the other person. That is what the islanders have done.

When the company leaves the island, they all get what they need to continue the journey. In doing so, the islanders help them forward in a manner worthy of God (cf. 3Jn 1:5-8).