Was Paul out of line when he answered back to the high priest?

[Bob8102]

Acts 23:1 – 5 report Paul’s encounter with Ananias, the high priest, after Paul was converted. The high priest ordered Paul to be struck on the mouth. Paul responded, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!” Then, in a moment, Paul says that he didn’t know Ananias was high priest, “…for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” Are we to believe that Paul did not know that Ananias was high priest? Did Paul speak out of line when he answered back to the high priest?

 

[SkyWriting]

Acts 23:1 – 5 report Paul’s encounter with Ananias, the high priest, after Paul was converted. The high priest ordered Paul to be struck on the mouth. Paul responded, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!” Then, in a moment, Paul says that he didn’t know Ananias was high priest, “…for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” Are we to believe that Paul did not know that Ananias was high priest? Did Paul speak out of line when he answered back to the high priest?

Paul's anger issues remained very deep.

 

[Mark Quayle]

Acts 23:1 – 5 report Paul’s encounter with Ananias, the high priest, after Paul was converted. The high priest ordered Paul to be struck on the mouth. Paul responded, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!” Then, in a moment, Paul says that he didn’t know Ananias was high priest, “…for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” Are we to believe that Paul did not know that Ananias was high priest? Did Paul speak out of line when he answered back to the high priest?

What's wrong with talking to the high priest like that? I'd talk to the Pope like that if the situation warranted it. The pope is just a man, too. No big deal. Why should Paul reverence the high priest?

 

[Petros2015]

I always felt Paul was speaking sarcastically when he said "I did not realize". Pretty sure Paul would have known who was who. Yet also demonstrating he had a better knowledge of the law than they did, knew what he was doing and was now living by the Spirit not the law. For Paul, Christ was now the high priest, and it was Ananias speaking against Christ, not Paul speaking against Ananias that was the sin.

1 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” 2 At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”
4 Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!”
5 Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”
6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

 

[SkyWriting]

.

 

[Clare73]

Acts 23:1 – 5 report Paul’s encounter with Ananias, the high priest, after Paul was converted. The high priest ordered Paul to be struck on the mouth. Paul responded, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!” Then, in a moment, Paul says that he didn’t know Ananias was high priest, “…for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” Are we to believe that Paul did not know that Ananias was high priest? Did Paul speak out of line when he answered back to the high priest?

Are we not to believe the God-breathed Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16) in Acts 23:5?

Not at my house!

 

[Clare73]

What's wrong with talking to the high priest like that? I'd talk to the Pope like that if the situation warranted it. The pope is just a man, too. No big deal.
Why should Paul reverence the high priest?

Paul states why in the text.

 

[Clare73]

I always felt Paul was speaking sarcastically when he said "I did not realize".

Do we have any examples of known lies spoken by Paul when using sarcasm?

Do a little homework and you might find why he didn't know.

Pretty sure Paul would have known who was who. Yet also demonstrating he had a better knowledge of the law than they did, knew what he was doing and was now living by the Spirit not the law. For Paul, Christ was now the high priest, and it was Ananias speaking against Christ, not Paul speaking against Ananias that was the sin.

1 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” 2 At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”
4 Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!”
5 Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”
6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

 

[Mark Quayle]

Paul states why in the text.

My question was rhetorical.

Yes, Paul states why one should respect (i.e. "not speak evil of") a ruler of the people. The high priest at that time was not The Ruler, though he still had some authority. I'm not sure Paul wasn't using a bit of a play on words, but either way, my point remains. I know I am to respect those "who labor in the Word", and for several reasons, but they are still mere men, with problems like mine, and most are frankly more ignorant of and careless with the word than I can easily respect.

My respect for them is not fear of them nor fear of their position, but a result of the fear of God, and respect for the Word of God, and an understanding of the onus they are under as deliverers of the Word of God. I honor them, not reverence them. And I know a little about what it is to do your best to be accurate and compelling in delivering the Word that no human is able to fully understand nor convey accurately, and are under near condemnation for anything false they say. God have mercy on us all.

(This demonstrates Grace: To be under necessity to preach (The lion has roared —who will not be afraid? The Lord has spoken —who can but testify?), yet to know the weakness of the flesh. What priest in Israel ever walked into the Holy of Holies with a rope tied around around his ankle, knowing that but for the Grace of God he will die?)

 

[Mark Quayle]

Do we have any examples of known lies spoken by Paul when using sarcasm?

Do a little homework and you might find why he didn't know.

We have many of him being rhetorical.

 

[Clare73]

My question was rhetorical.

Yes, Paul states why one should respect (i.e. "not speak evil of") a ruler of the people. The high priest at that time was not The Ruler, though he still had some authority. I'm not sure Paul wasn't using a bit of a play on words, but either way, my point remains.
I know I am to respect those "who labor in the Word",

I'm thinking Paul is referring to official delegated authority, which I do not see as extending to those "who labor in the word" apart from the apostles, right?

Those "who labor in the word" today are due the respect due to all Christians.

and for several reasons, but they are still mere men, with problems like mine, and most are frankly more ignorant of and careless with the word than I can easily respect.

My respect for them is not fear of them nor fear of their position, but a result of the fear of God, and respect for the Word of God, and an understanding of the onus they are under as deliverers of the Word of God. I honor them, not reverence them. And I know a little about what it is to do your best to be accurate and compelling in delivering the Word that no human is able to fully understand nor convey accurately, and are under near condemnation for anything false they say. God have mercy on us all.

(This demonstrates Grace: To be under necessity to preach (The lion has roared —who will not be afraid? The Lord has spoken —who can but testify?), yet to know the weakness of the flesh. What priest in Israel ever walked into the Holy of Holies with a rope tied around around his ankle, knowing that but for the Grace of God he will die?)

 

[Clare73]

We have many of him being rhetorical.

Is that the same thing as being sarcastic?

Don't get over my head now with some philosophical dissertation.

 

[Mark Quayle]

Is that the same thing as being sarcastic?

Don't get over my head now with some philosophical dissertation.

Haha. No.

 

[Petros2015]

Are we not to believe the God-breathed Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16) in Acts 23:5?

Of course you are to believe them!
But you are also supposed to recognize and not crucify the God that breathed them!

 

[Clare73]

Of course you are to believe them!
But you are also supposed to recognize and not crucify the God that breathed them!

What does that have to do with our believing the Scriptures?

You got me there!

Crucify God? . . .Recognize what? . . .Whatever are you talking about?

Got any examples?. . .'cause you're not making sense.

 

[SkyWriting]

Is that the same thing as being sarcastic?

Don't get over my head now with some philosophical dissertation.

No. Being rhetorical is an attempt to be persuasive.
Sarcasm would be mocking rhetoric that is not in line with ones values assuming that people understand said values. Sarcasm only works with people who know you well, and are aware of your normal personality. It rarely works with strangers.

You'll never catch me using sarcasm.

 

[SkyWriting]

Are we not to believe the God-breathed Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16) in Acts 23:5?

How many people said is was God-Breathed?

 

[Petros2015]

Crucify God? . . .Recognize what? . . .Whatever are you talking about? Got any examples?. . .'cause you're not making sense.

The Pharisees crucified Christ under the high priest Caiaphas
They loved their God breathed scriptures
Quoted them scripture and verse, I am sure
They just used them the wrong way
To strain gnats
And swallow camels
Paul's high priest is Christ
And he's witnessing to the Sanhedrin
That theirs should be too.

 

[Clare73]

The Pharisees crucified Christ under the high priest Caiaphas
They loved their God breathed scriptures
Quoted them scripture and verse, I am sure
They just used them the wrong way
To strain gnats
And swallow camels
Paul's high priest is Christ
And he's witnessing to the Sanhedrin
That theirs should be too.

What does that have to do with our believing the God-breathed Scriptures?

 

[Clare73]

How many people said is was God-Breathed?

I give up. . .how many?

Only one is needed. . .the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:13).