17:7 These all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar. A false charge, but the one most likely to secure the attention of the magistrates.
Saying that there is another king. The Romans never called their ruler a king, but he was so called by subject nations. The Jews said to Pilate, We will have no king but Caesar (Joh 19:15). The only ground for the charge against Paul was that he preached the kingdom of Christ.
17:1-9 The drift and scope of Paul's preaching and arguing, was to prove that Jesus is the Christ. He must needs suffer for us, because he could not otherwise purchase our redemption for us; and he must needs have risen again, because he could not otherwise apply the redemption to us. We are to preach concerning Jesus that he is Christ; therefore we may hope to be saved by him, and are bound to be ruled by him. The unbelieving Jews were angry, because the apostles preached to the Gentiles, that they might be saved. How strange it is, that men should grudge others the privileges they will not themselves accept! Neither rulers nor people need be troubled at the increase of real Christians, even though turbulent spirits should make religion the pretext for evil designs. Of such let us beware, from such let us withdraw, that we may show a desire to act aright in society, while we claim our right to worship God according to our consciences.
