Acts 24:1-8: a reflection

1After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul. 2When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight, 3we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4But that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words. 5For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him. 8By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”

Paul is brought before the governor Felix, and his accusers come armed with a polished, professional case. They hire a skilled orator, Tertullus, who opens with flattery toward the governor and then lays out charges against Paul dressed in eloquent, persuasive language: he is a plague, a ringleader, a troublemaker. The accusations are false, but they are made to sound official and convincing, delivered with rhetorical skill and flattering words. Falsehood is given the appearance of a strong, credible case.

Notice how the false accusation is dressed up: with flattery and eloquence, made to sound persuasive and credible. The charges against Paul were untrue; but they were presented skillfully, with a hired orator, flattering words, and confident assertion, so that the lie wore the appearance of a strong case. Falsehood can be made to sound convincing; a lie delivered with skill and confidence can seem more credible than the plain truth. Paul faced not just accusation, but persuasive, polished accusation.

That is worth remembering, for falsehood can be made persuasive, and we may face, or witness, lies dressed up to sound credible. When we are falsely accused, the accusation may come not crudely but skillfully, made to sound convincing; and we may be tempted to despair when a polished falsehood seems more credible than our plain truth. But the skillful presentation of a lie does not make it true; God knows the truth, however persuasively falsehood is dressed. When you face persuasive falsehood, whether against yourself or others, do not be overwhelmed by its polish; a lie skillfully told is still a lie. Entrust your cause to God, who is not deceived by eloquence or flattery, and knows the truth beneath the polished falsehood. Paul faced a professionally argued lie; trust the God who sees through such things, and do not despair when falsehood is made to sound convincing, for God knows the truth, however skillfully the lie is dressed.

Lord, Paul was brought before Felix, and his accusers came with a polished case: a hired orator who opened with flattery and laid out false charges in eloquent, persuasive language, so that falsehood wore the appearance of a strong case. Help me remember that falsehood can be made persuasive, and that I may face, or witness, lies dressed up to sound credible. When I am falsely accused, the accusation may come not crudely but skillfully, made to sound convincing; and I may be tempted to despair when a polished falsehood seems more credible than my plain truth. But the skillful presentation of a lie does not make it true; you know the truth, however persuasively falsehood is dressed. When I face persuasive falsehood, whether against myself or others, keep me from being overwhelmed by its polish; a lie skillfully told is still a lie. Help me entrust my cause to you, who are not deceived by eloquence or flattery, and know the truth beneath the polished falsehood. Paul faced a professionally argued lie; help me trust you, who see through such things, and not despair when falsehood is made to sound convincing, for you know the truth, however skillfully the lie is dressed. You know the truth, Lord; I entrust my cause to you.