The missionary character of Paul's stay on Malta (Acts 28:1-10) according to the early Church

Abstract

Paul's apparent lack of preaching to the inhabitants of Malta in Acts 28:1-10 and his seeming indifference to being called 'a god' form a stark contrast to his usual missionary pattern in the narrative of Acts, possibly showing a lack of evangelistic concern among the 'barbarian' population of the island. This article investigates the reception of Acts 28:1-10 in the writings of the Greek- and Latin speaking church (up to the end of the fifth century) to determine whether Paul's behaviour in Acts 28:1-10 was considered to be missionary in character. This proves to be the case, although the missionary nature of his actions is substantiated in a variety of ways.