Acts 11:17
Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
Original Language Analysis
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔδωκεν
gave
G1325
ἔδωκεν
gave
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
6 of 26
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεόν
God
G2316
θεόν
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 26
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
10 of 26
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
καὶ
as
G2532
καὶ
as
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πιστεύσασιν
who believed
G4100
πιστεύσασιν
who believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
13 of 26
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
14 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριον
the Lord
G2962
κύριον
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
16 of 26
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
17 of 26
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τίς
what
G5101
τίς
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
21 of 26
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
δυνατὸς
that I could
G1415
δυνατὸς
that I could
Strong's:
G1415
Word #:
23 of 26
powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible
Cross References
Acts 10:47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?Job 33:13Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.Daniel 4:35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Historical Context
This argument convinced the Jerusalem church (v.18). Peter's reasoning established a crucial precedent: God's sovereign action determines church membership and fellowship, not human traditions or ethnic boundaries. This principle would be tested again at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereign action determine whom we should accept as fellow believers?
- What does it mean to 'withstand God' by rejecting those He has accepted?
- When should we change our traditions or practices in light of God's revealed work?
Analysis & Commentary
Peter reasoned: 'Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?' Peter's logic is irrefutable - if God gave Gentiles the same Spirit, who is Peter to object? The phrase 'who was I' demonstrates appropriate humility before divine sovereignty. Reformed theology emphasizes that human traditions and preferences must yield to God's revealed will. Peter couldn't 'withstand God' by refusing to accept those whom God had accepted.