Acts 5:39

5:34-42 The Lord still has all hearts in his hands, and sometimes directs the prudence of the worldly wise, so as to restrain the persecutors. Common sense tells us to be cautious, while experience and observation show that the success of frauds in matters of religion has been very short. Reproach for Christ is true preferment, as it makes us conformable to his pattern, and serviceable to his interest. They rejoiced in it. If we suffer ill for doing well, provided we suffer it well, and as we should, we ought to rejoice in that grace which enabled us so to do. The apostles did not preach themselves, but Christ. This was the preaching that most offended the priests. But it ought to be the constant business of gospel ministers to preach Christ: Christ, and him crucified; Christ, and him glorified; nothing beside this, but what has reference to it. And whatever is our station or rank in life, we should seek to make Him known, and to glorify his name.

The other part of the dilemma. The counsel of the Lord, that shall stand, Proverbs 19:21 Isaiah 46:10 ; and it must needs be so, for all power is his, in whom we live and move, Acts 17:28 . Fight against God; they who afflict and contend with his people unjustly, though they little think so, set themselves against God, who will overcome at the last, and triumph over his and his people’s enemies.

Acts 5:39 . Μή ποτε καὶ , lest haply even ) This use of the particles implies courtesy. The even signifies, that, independently of the vainness of the attempt, they would be guilty even of reckless impiety. This clause depends on the sense of the clause immediately preceding: ye cannot , and therefore ye ought not attempt, to dissolve or overthrow it.— θεομάχοι ) This word is put by Symmachus more than once for the Hebr. רפאים . The conjugates are Θεοῦ and θεομάχοι . [There is a large number of such persons.—V. g.]— εὑρέθητε , ye be found) in the issue.

39 . but if it be of God ] The verb is not in the same mood as in the previous clause, and had the construction been in classical Greek, it might have indicated some opinion on Gamaliel’s part of the truth of Christianity = “If it is [as it is] of God.” But in the N. T. the construction indicates no more than a simple conditional. Yet to mark the difference of phrase, read here, But if it is of God . ye cannot overthrow it ] The best authorities read, ye will not be able to overthrow it . lest haply ye be found , &c.] The clause depends on, “Take heed to yourselves …” ( Acts 5:35 ).

But if it be of God - If God is the "author" of this religion. From this it seems that Gamaliel supposed that it was at least possible that this religion was divine. He evinced a far more candid mind than did the rest of the Jews; but still it does not appear that he was entirely convinced. The arguments which could not but stagger the Jewish Sanhedrin were those drawn from the resurrection of Jesus, the miracle on the day of Pentecost, the healing of the lame man in the temple, and the release of the apostles from the prison. Ye cannot overthrow it - Because: (1) God has almighty power, and can execute his purposes; (2) Because he is unchanging, and will not be diverted from his plans, Job 23:13-14. The plan which God forms "must" be accomplished. All the devices of man are feebleness when opposed to him, and he can dash them in pieces in an instant. The prediction of Gamaliel has been fulfilled. People have opposed Christianity in every way, but in vain. They have reviled it; have persecuted it; have resorted to argument and to ridicule; to fire, and faggot, and sword; they have called in the aid of science; but all has been in vain. The more it has been crushed, the more it has risen, and it still exists with as much life and power as ever. The "preservation" of this religion amidst so much and so varied opposition proves that it is of God.

No severer trial "can" await it than it has already experienced; and as it has survived so many storms and trials, we have every evidence that, according to the predictions, it is destined to live and to fill the world. See the Matthew 16:18; Isaiah 54:17; Isaiah 55:11 notes; Daniel 4:35 note. Lest - That is, if you continue to oppose it, you may be found to have been opposing God. Haply - Perhaps. In the Greek this is "lest at any time"; that is, at some future time, when too late to retract your doings, etc. Ye be found - It shall appear that you have been opposing God. Even to fight against God - Greek Θεομάχοι Theomachoi, "those who contend with God." The word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. To fight against God is to oppose him, or to maintain an attitude of hostility against him. It is an attitude that is most fearful in its character, and will most certainly be attended with an overthrow. No condition can be more awful than such an opposition to the Almighty; no overthrow more terrible than what must follow such opposition. Compare Acts 9:5; Acts 23:9. Opposition to the "gospel" in the Scriptures is uniformly regarded as opposition to God, Matthew 12:30; Luke 11:23.