"Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker."(Acts 14:12)
Have you ever been mistaken for somebody else? Usually this happens when we look like someone. I've had that happen and my reply is usually I hope you think positively of that person.
Both of my sons are in professions that have heroic qualities about them, but neither would want to be seen as a hero. Again we can be mistaken for something based on our actions.
Barnabas and Paul healed a man and the people thought that Zeus and Hermes had shown up. It was the only thing they could connect to what they had just witnessed. Safe to assume that Paul didn't wish to be seen as a Greek god. Part of me wonders if he liked being seen as subservient to Barnabas, probably didn't occur to him.
When we are mistaken for someone else, even in a positive way it is still important to claim our own identity. To pretend to be something or someone you aren't never works out in the end.
Blessings,
Ed
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