SUMMARY
Paul casts a prophetic spirit out of a slave-girl who is being used as a profitable seer and fortune-teller by her owners. The ensuing ruckus over the loss of her value to the owners results in the imprisonment of PaulThe Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was the author of several New Testament letters and the founder of many Christian communities. More and SilasSilas (a.k.a. Silvanus) was a Christian missionary who was imprisoned with Paul at Philippi. More, who use the opportunity to convert the jailer and his household by their steadfast witness.
ANALYSIS
In Philippi a slave-girl is being doubly exploited: both by her owners who profit from her fortune-telling abilities and by a demon or evil spirit who possesses her and speaks through her. This demonic force is literally designated a “spirit of the Python,” associated with the god Apollo and the oracleAn oracle is a divine utterance of guidance, promise, or judgment delivered to humans through an intermediary (who is often also called an oracle). In the Bible oracles are given by Balaam (in the book of Numbers) and by David (in 2 Samuel). A number... More at Delphi. Surprisingly, this demon-possessed slave-girl accurately identifies Paul and Silas as “slaves of the Most High God” who have come to reveal “a way of salvationSalvation can mean saved from something (deliverance) or for something (redemption). Paul preached that salvation comes through the death of Christ on the cross which redeemed sinners from death and for a grace-filled life. More” (16:17). Nonetheless, because the slave-girl keeps annoying Paul with her repetitive (mindless?) announcements “for many days,” he exorcizes her demonA demon is an evil spirit often depicted in human or animal form. Sometimes frightening, sometimes alluring, the unclean spirit represents destructive power. More “in the name of JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. More Christ” (16:18). By casting out the irritating demon, Paul witnesses to the superior power of the God he worships.
Because it occasions their economic loss, Paul’s action enrages the girl’s owners. They lose no time in arousing the local magistrates by complaining that Paul and Silas are “Jews” who teach unlawful customs contrary to the Roman way. In short, they accuse Paul and Silas of being meddling interlopers, opposed to all that is good and civilized, and a serious threat to civic order. The two are thrown into jail, from which they escape after an earthquake and the conversion of the Roman-employed jailer and his householdA household is a living unit comprised of all the persons who live in one house. A household would embrace all the members of a family, including servants and slaves. In the book of Acts, stories are told of various persons and their households, like... More.
This episode illustrates the tendency of people to conspire against any who threaten their self-interests. It also demonstrates the good character of Christ’s missionaries, who do not escape from jail at first opportunity but rather stay behind after the earthquake to minister to the distraught jailer, who was about to kill himself for failing to guard the prisoners.
