Acts 24:3
in Acts 24In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
KJV
We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
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This verse in Acts 24
Commentary
8 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
We accept it always - We admit that it is owing to your vigilance, and we accept your interposition to promote peace with gratitude. Always, and in all places - Not merely in your presence, but we always acknowledge that it is owing to your vigilance that the land is secure. “What we now do in your presence, we do also in your absence; we do not commend you merely when you are present” (Wetstein). Most noble Felix - This was the title of office.
This site's exposition
with all thankfulness
on Acts 24:3-4
Tertullus's thanks, we accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness, is the conventional flattery expected in a Roman forensic opening, not sincere praise, and ancient hearers would have recognized the formula for what it was. He promises brevity, that I be not further tedious unto thee, another stock courtroom phrase, before asking Felix to hear the accusation with clemency. The contrast with Paul's own opening at 24:10, courteous but without flattery, is one the commentators consistently draw.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
See how this man also from the very outset with his praises seeks to gain the judge beforehand. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, we accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Then as having much to say, he passes by the rest.
A commentator
John ChrysostomCATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 24.2-3 · Written in the 5th century.
proposed
See how [Tertullus] approaches the judge with praises from the start and wants to hand Paul over as a revolutionary and a rebel. Then, notice how he hastens as if he has many things to say.
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
We accept it always, and in all places,.... The sense is, that the Jews observed with pleasure the provident care the governor took of their nation, and at all times spoke well of him; and wherever they came commended his conduct, and owned the favours they received from him, and the blessings they enjoyed under his government: and then giving him his title of honour, most noble Felix; Tertullus adds, that this the Jews did with all thankfulness; as sensible of the obligations they were under to him; but this was all a farce, mere artifice, and wretched flattery.
The benefits which we enjoy by government, especially by the administration of wise and good governors, are what we ought to be thankful for, both to God and man. This is part of the honour due to magistrates, to acknowledge the quietness we enjoy under their protection, and the worthy deeds done by their prudence.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, &c.--In this fulsome flattery there was a semblance of truth: nothing more. Felix acted with a degree of vigor and success in suppressing lawless violence [JOSEPHUS, Antiquities, 20.8.4; confirmed by TACITUS, Annals, 12.54]. by thy providence--a phrase applied to the administration of the emperors.
1 more voice on this verse
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
We accept it always, and in all places - We have at all times a grateful sense of thy beneficent administration, and we talk of it in all places, not only before thy face, but behind thy back.
The words behind it
10 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| πάντῃ | pante | in every way | G3839 → | |
| τε | te | both | G5037 → | 213 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| πανταχοῦ | pantachou | everywhere | G3837 → | 6 times |
| ἀποδεχόμεθα, | apodechometha | we gladly accept [it], | G588 → | 7 times |
| κράτιστε | kratiste | most excellent | G2903 → | 4 times |
| Φῆλιξ, | phelix | Felix, | G5344 → | 9 times |
| μετὰ | meta | with | G3326 → | 461 times |
| πάσης | pases | all | G3956 → | 1235 times |
| εὐχαριστίας. | eucharistias | thankfulness. | G2169 → |
πάντῃin every way
panteG3839 →
τεboth
teG5037 →213 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
πανταχοῦeverywhere
pantachouG3837 →6 times
ἀποδεχόμεθα,we gladly accept [it],
apodechomethaG588 →7 times
κράτιστεmost excellent
kratisteG2903 →4 times
Φῆλιξ,Felix,
phelixG5344 →9 times
μετὰwith
metaG3326 →461 times
πάσηςall
pasesG3956 →1235 times
εὐχαριστίας.thankfulness.
eucharistiasG2169 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Luke 1:3Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
it leads to
- Acts 26:25
But Paul answered, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and sobriety.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Acts 23:26
Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Acts 1:1
In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach,
- Ecclesiastes 12:9
Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.
- Acts 11:4
But Peter began and explained to them the whole sequence of events:
- Acts 26:25
Through
Acts 23:26Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.
it leads to
- Luke 1:3
Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Acts 15:23
and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
- Luke 1:3
Through
Acts 26:25But Paul answered, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and sobriety.
it leads to
- Titus 2:7–8
In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
- Titus 2:7–8
About Acts
Who and where
1 name in this verse with a page on the site.
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 50; John Chrysostom, CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 24.2-3; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.