Acts 23:1-11 | CourageÀpẹrẹ

Courage to Apologize

“Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people’” (Acts 23:5, NIV).

Paul testifies to a clear conscience before God. Ananias, the high priest, commands those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth for insolence and blasphemy. And Paul, with fire in his gut or maybe solemn accusation, calls him a whitewashed tomb, like Jesus called the Pharisees two decades before.

Which is where we pick up today. “Those who were standing near Paul said, ‘How dare you insult God’s high priest!’” (Acts 23:4, NIV). While probably worthy of every insult and more, Paul, quoting the Mosaic law again, replies, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people’” (Acts 23:5, NIV, quoting Exod 22:28).

Did Paul know he was the high priest? Maybe. Maybe not. It had been 20 years since he had been to Jerusalem. Times change. People change. Maybe the high priest was no longer recognizable. Or perhaps Paul knew him, and it was a flash of anger.

Regardless, it takes courage to apologize.

With God, it’s this kind of attitude from which everything else flows. It’s the difference between conceited pride and genuine humility. It’s about honesty, an honesty that says I am not omniscient, I am not perfect, I am not incapable of mistakes. It flows from a poise found in Christ that does not have to project perfection, and that knows my standing before God, others, and even in my own eyes, is not based on perfection. It flows from a sense of self that does not have to be propped up by a false narrative that seeks to project a false image of perfection before God and everyone else. People who are weak tell themselves that they are never wrong. They have to. Their fragile ego depends on it. That’s a crumbling wall, as Ezekiel said. A house of cards. An ego built on the sand. A shaky foundation, indeed!

But apology is the byproduct of a sense of self that finds its identity in what Christ says of me, not what others think of me. That’s why the Christian experience is rooted in repentance.

People who apologize are often far stronger than people who never do.

The power of “I’m sorry” cannot be overestimated. Sometimes for wronging someone. Sometimes simply for offending someone unwittingly. How many of life’s problems, not to mention the world’s problems, could have been avoided with a simple and sincere, “I’m sorry.”

Paul is struck for speaking the truth. His immediate reaction is to counterattack, but shifts and upholds God’s standard of respect for authority. Courage isn’t just about fighting back — it’s about responding in a God-honoring way even when treated unfairly. It’s been said that courage is measured by faithfulness under pressure, not defiance. It’s about having the courage to admit our wrongs before God and others. How we respond may be as important as the injustice itself.

Today

Identify a situation where you feel wronged. Ask God for the courage to respond with grace. Commit to respond with respect when mistreated. Commit to apologize where you have mistreated.