Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of GodPaul's boldness in proclaiming the kingdom of God is a testament to his unwavering faith and commitment to his mission. This boldness is reminiscent of the apostles' earlier prayers for courage in
Acts 4:29. The phrase "kingdom of God" refers to the reign and rule of God, a central theme in Jesus' teachings (
Matthew 6:33). Paul's proclamation would have included the message of salvation and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. His freedom to speak, despite being under house arrest in Rome, highlights the providence of God in allowing the gospel to spread even in seemingly restrictive circumstances.
and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ
Paul's teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ would have encompassed the core tenets of the Christian faith: the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. This teaching aligns with the apostolic witness found throughout the New Testament, such as in1 Corinthians 15:3-4, where Paul summarizes the gospel message. The title "Lord" emphasizes Jesus' divine authority and sovereignty, a crucial affirmation for early Christians living under Roman rule. Paul's focus on Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the law and prophets would have been particularly significant to his Jewish audience, as seen in his previous discourses inActs 13 and 17.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PaulThe apostle who is the central figure in this passage. He is under house arrest in Rome but continues his ministry with boldness and freedom.
2.
RomeThe capital of the Roman Empire, where Paul is held under house arrest. Despite his confinement, Rome becomes a significant place for the spread of the Gospel.
3.
The Kingdom of GodA central theme in Paul's teaching, referring to God's sovereign rule and the fulfillment of His promises through Jesus Christ.
4.
The Lord Jesus ChristThe focus of Paul's teaching, emphasizing the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as the Messiah and Savior.
5.
Proclamation and TeachingThe dual activities of Paul, highlighting his commitment to spreading the Gospel message and instructing others in the faith.
Teaching Points
Boldness in ProclamationDespite his circumstances, Paul demonstrates boldness in sharing the Gospel. Believers are encouraged to proclaim their faith with courage, regardless of their situation.
Freedom in ChristPaul's ability to teach "freely" while under house arrest highlights the spiritual freedom found in Christ. Christians are reminded that true freedom is not dependent on external circumstances.
Focus on the KingdomPaul's teaching centers on the Kingdom of God, reminding believers to prioritize God's rule and reign in their lives and witness.
Christ-Centered TeachingThe emphasis on teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ underscores the importance of keeping Christ at the center of all Christian teaching and ministry.
Perseverance in MinistryPaul's example encourages believers to persevere in their ministry efforts, trusting that God can use any situation for His glory.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Acts 28:31?
2.How can we "boldly and freely" proclaim God's kingdom in our daily lives?
3.What does Acts 28:31 teach about the importance of teaching about Jesus?
4.How does Paul's example in Acts 28:31 inspire our own evangelistic efforts?
5.What scriptural connections can we draw between Acts 28:31 and the Great Commission?
6.How can we overcome fear to share the gospel as Paul did?
7.What does Acts 28:31 reveal about the early Christian mission and its challenges?
8.How does Acts 28:31 emphasize the importance of preaching the kingdom of God?
9.Why is the boldness mentioned in Acts 28:31 significant for Christian evangelism?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 28?
11.How does God reveal Himself through contradictions in theology?
12.What does the Bible say about cheating?
13.What did Paul do between his third and fourth journeys?
14.What were Apostle Paul's missionary journeys?What Does Acts 28:31 Mean
Boldly• The Spirit-empowered courage that marked Paul was the same boldness the early church prayed for: “And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness” (Acts 4:29).
• This confident proclamation sprang from conviction that the gospel is “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16).
• Boldness was not arrogance; it was obedience to Christ’s mandate inActs 1:8.
• Cross references highlight that boldness is granted, not self-generated (Ephesians 6:19;2 Timothy 1:7–8).
and freely• Luke has just noted that Paul lived “two whole years in his own rented house” and welcomed all who came to him (Acts 28:30). Though under guard, he was “unhindered” (v. 31 literal sense), illustrating how the gospel cannot be chained (2 Timothy 2:9).
• Freedom here stresses access: Jews, Gentiles, officials, soldiers, seekers—all could hear without restriction.
• This anticipates Jesus’ promise that the message would reach “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
he proclaimed the kingdom of God• Paul’s core message aligned with Jesus’ own mission: “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other towns as well, because that is why I was sent” (Luke 4:43).
• The kingdom of God refers to God’s sovereign rule revealed now in Christ and consummated at His return (1 Corinthians 15:24–25).
• Points Paul likely emphasized:
– God reigns; repentance is required (Acts 17:30).
– Citizenship is granted through faith in Christ (Colossians 1:13).
– The kingdom produces righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).
• By ending Acts on this theme, Luke shows continuity from John the Baptist (Luke 3:2–3) through Jesus to Paul.
and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ• Proclaiming the kingdom leads naturally to teaching its King. Paul’s pattern: “Immediately he began to proclaim Jesus, saying, ‘He is the Son of God’” (Acts 9:20).
• Teaching (didaskō) involves explanation, reasoning, and persuasion (Acts 17:2–3). Likely topics:
– Jesus’ deity and lordship (Philippians 2:11).
– His atoning death and bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
– Salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9).
– The call to discipleship and holy living (Titus 2:11–12).
• Acts closes by centering on Christ, the narrative’s focal point from beginning to end (Acts 1:1).
summaryActs 28:31 captures Paul’s life and the church’s mission: with Spirit-given courage and unhindered access, we herald God’s reigning kingdom and teach the saving truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. The verse assures believers that no chain, court, or culture can restrain the gospel; it goes forth boldly, freely, and Christ-centered until He returns.
(31)
No man forbidding him.--The fact is interesting as showing the attitude of the Roman empire to the new faith. So far, even under Nero, it was tolerant, and even though the "sect" of the Christians was "everywhere spoken against," a leading teacher of that sect was allowed free room to propagate his views. The rulers of the empire were not as yet alarmed at the thought of the wide-spread secret organisation of the Christian Society, and the influence of Seneca and Burrus may not have been without its share in this policy of toleration. The history closes somewhat abruptly. It may have been the intention of the writer to continue his narrative. It is a natural inference that when he closed it the two years had expired, or were on the point of expiring; that he, who had remained with the Apostle during his imprisonment, started with him on his eastward journey afterwards; and that some incidents to us unknown, hindered him from completing the work which he had begun. It is possible, on the other hand, that Theophilus, as an Italian convert (see
Introduction)
,may have known what had passed in Rome during the Apostle's first sojourn there, or subsequently, and that St. Luke did not aim at more than setting before his friend the stages by which St. Paul had been brought to the imperial city.
Verse 31.- The things for
those things, A.V.;
concerning for
which concern, A.V.;
boldness for
confidence, A.V.;
none for no
man, A.V.
Boldness (
παρρησίας); see above,
Acts 2:29;
Acts 4:13, 29, 31. The verb
παρρησιάζομαι also occurs frequently (
Acts 9:27;
Acts 13:46;
Acts 14:3, etc.). The boldness and freedom with which he spake
the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ would naturally increase more and more, as he found himself day by day unchecked by enemies, and encouraged by the number and earnestness of his hearers.
None forbidding him;
ἀκωλύτως, only here in the New Testament; but the adjective is found in Symmachus's version of Job (Job 34:31), and in the LXX. of Wisd. 7:22; and both adjective and adverb are occasionally used in classical Greek. But the most common use of the adverb is by medical writers, who employ it "to denote freedom, unhindered action, in a variety of things, such as respiration, perspiration, the pulse, the muscles, the members of the body" (Hobart). In two passages quoted from Galen ('Meth. Med.,' 14:15; 'Usus Part.,' 2:15) the sentence ends, as here, with the word
ἀκωλύτως Some derive the word "acolyte" hence, from their being admitted to holy functions, though not in full orders. And so ends this lively and beautiful and most faithful sketch of one of the greatest men, and one of the greatest works, the world has ever seen. "In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft," is seen, as we read this history, to be no empty boast, but a simple statement of the truth. The springs of that mind and of that zeal were ever ready to rise to fresh work, however crushing a strain had been put upon them. "I count not my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God," is the true description of that life as delineated by the beloved physician. And yet how remarkable it is that in the whole of the Acts there is not one single word of panegyric! The portraiture is a bare photograph, without a single additional touch to enhance its beauty. Nor must we forget the singular brevity with which some episodes are passed over. Had we only Luke's history, we should not know that the apostle was an author - an author whose writings have moved the world of mind and spirit more than all the writings of Plato, and Aristotle, and Cicero, and Bacon combined, through a period of eighteen hundred years. Thus, to glance at the "two whole years" with the record of which the book closes, think of the work clone in that time. What gatherings of holy men and women within the walls of that "hired dwelling" are we sure must have taken place! Prisca and Aquila, and Epaenetus, and Mary, and Urban, and Apelles, and Persis, and Hermas, and Olympas, and all their compeers, we may be sure were often there. What wrestlings in prayer, what expositions of the Scriptures, what descriptions of the kingdom of God, what loving exhortations, what sympathetic communings, must have made that "hired dwelling" a very Bethel in the stronghold of heathenism! We think of the praetorian soldiers to whom he was successively chained; perhaps of the courteous Julius; of the inmates of Nero's palace (
Philippians 4:22); perhaps of Eubulus, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia (
2 Timothy 4:21); of Epaphras and Epaphroditus, and of Luke, and Mark, and Timothy, and Aristarchus, and we know not how many more besides; and there rises before our minds a crowd of agencies and sober activities directed by that master mind to the advancement of the kingdom of God. We feel, indeed, that, though he was chained, "the word of God was not bound;" but that through the marvelous energy and unfailing wisdom of the great prisoner, his prison turned out rather to the furtherance of the gospel. And then we turn to the Epistles written at this time. What a contribution to the literature of the kingdom of heaven!-the Epistles to the Ephesians, to the Colossions, to Philemon, and to the Philippians, and probably much help given to Luke in the composition of the Acts of the Apostles. Truly they were two years of infinite moment to the Church of God. What followed those two years, what became of Paul, and what of his saintly biographer, we shall never know. It has pleased God to draw a curtain ever the events, which we cannot penetrate. Here our history ends, because nothing more had happened when it was given to the Church. Instead of vain regrets because it reaches no further, let us devoutly thank God for all that this book has taught us, and strive to show ourselves worthy members of that Gentile Church, whose foundation by St. Peter and St. Paul, and whose marvelous increment, through the labors of him who once laid it waste, has been so well set before us in the Book of THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Boldlyπαρρησίας(parrēsias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3954:From pas and a derivative of rheo; all out-spokenness, i.e. Frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance.[and] freelyἀκωλύτως(akōlytōs)Adverb
Strong's 209:Adverb from a compound of a and a derivative of koluo; in an unhindered manner, i.e. Freely.he proclaimedκηρύσσων(kēryssōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2784:To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth.theτὴν(tēn)Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.kingdomβασιλείαν(basileian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932:From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.of GodΘεοῦ(Theou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.taughtδιδάσκων(didaskōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1321:To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.aboutπερὶ(peri)Preposition
Strong's 4012:From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.theτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.LordΚυρίου(Kyriou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962:Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.JesusἸησοῦ(Iēsou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.Christ.Χριστοῦ(Christou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547:Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.
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NT Apostles: Acts 28:31 Preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching (Acts of the Apostles Ac) 
