The Paradox Acts 16: 24-34

click to Read the passage: Acts 16  (a new browser window will open)

v.24 1. The one with the keys was bound, the ones locked up were free.

(who having received such a charge …)

v.25 2. The one with the better surroundings had no joy, the ones with miserable 

                circumstances had no reason to complain.

(Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God;)

v.25, 3. The one who was sleeping had no rest, the ones who were awake were 

  27 resting.

(And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God;) (And the\

                keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep …)

v.26 4. Man’s hands were tied, God’s was not.

(and suddenly there was a great earthquake.)

The earthquake only revealed the presence of true freedom.

v.27 5. The one supposedly free had the fear, the ones supposedly locked up had

the peace.

(and would have killed himself)

v.30 6. The one with the questions had no answers, the ones with the answers

had no question.

(Sirs, what must I do to be saved?)

v.34 7. The ones with the faith were accepted, the ones with the positions 

were excluded.

  (…and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.)

The magistrates were without salvation.