How is it that the apostles leave rejoicing in 5:41, after getting beaten and ordered to be silent? That can’t be right. The scribes of our Bible translations must have gotten that wrong and there has to be a discrepancy of different words among the manuscripts, right? They really left dejected or discouraged or they left fearful; or they left doubting their calling and questioning the plan and commissioning of Christ. No, the text is definitive and without any variations. They left in a joyful state. What would possibly lead them to this disposition? Maybe they are just some wackos who like pain? No, thankfully Luke tells us—They considered themselves honored to be dishonored or respected to be disrespected by being shamed for the Name. Again, we would think the text would read entirely different—They considered themselves cursed to suffer or considered themselves abandoned and forsaken to suffer shame or considered themselves gipped or ripped off that they suffered for doing what Christ had said. We would never label one as worthy or honored due to one’s suffering! Think about who we normally deem worthy of respect or honored—we’ve already seen one example in v.34 in that Gamaliel was respected among the people. Why? Because he had a lofty position and had many pupils, whom he passed his great wisdom to. Also, kings and rulers are worthy because of their power or wealth; someone who excels in their field, whether it’s academics or sports or the arts is esteemed or honored. Lastly, someone who protects his or her honor by getting revenge is honored in our culture. Why would these men, after suffering harsh treatment, consider themselves honored? John Calvin answered that this way:…when we suffer in our bodies, in our reputations, in our possessions, and in like things, and when we bear it patiently for his honor, we are defenders of his truth…God wants us to know that when we become aware that he puts his mark upon us and lets us know we are not only of his household but have also been entrusted with the very excellent and worthy position of being chosen to sustain his gospel, we have occasion to rejoice!…we should prefer honor from God to anything that might come from men, for we know it is only lie upon lie. Therefore, what they think is honorable and excellent, let it be to us as dung. To the contrary, if we suffer in the name of God and if that is considered the greatest disgrace in the world, let us take consolation in the fact that God approves it…and that it will be found good, holy, and worthy in the sight of God and his angels.
A God-Centered Understanding of Honor
