Acts 11:18
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Original Language Analysis
ἡσύχασαν
they held their peace
G2270
ἡσύχασαν
they held their peace
Strong's:
G2270
Word #:
4 of 20
to keep still (intransitively), i.e., refrain from labor, meddlesomeness or speech
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐδόξαζον
glorified
G1392
ἐδόξαζον
glorified
Strong's:
G1392
Word #:
6 of 20
to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
8 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ἄραγε
Then
G686
Ἄραγε
Then
Strong's:
G686
Word #:
10 of 20
a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔθνεσιν
to the Gentiles
G1484
ἔθνεσιν
to the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
13 of 20
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
15 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μετάνοιαν
repentance
G3341
μετάνοιαν
repentance
Strong's:
G3341
Word #:
17 of 20
(subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision)
ἔδωκεν
granted
G1325
ἔδωκεν
granted
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
18 of 20
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 7:10For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.Ezekiel 36:26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.Acts 5:31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.Acts 20:21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.Isaiah 61:3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.Acts 21:20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:Acts 3:26Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.2 Corinthians 3:18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Historical Context
Peter's detailed account of Cornelius' conversion (Acts 11:4-17) convinced initially critical Jewish believers. This Jerusalem approval (AD 41) authorized Paul's later Gentile mission and prepared for the Jerusalem Council's formal decision (Acts 15).
Questions for Reflection
- What does repentance being 'granted' teach about salvation's source and nature?
- How should this passage inform contemporary debates about who belongs in the church?
Analysis & Commentary
The Jerusalem church's conclusion 'Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life' marks a theological revolution. The passive voice ('hath granted') emphasizes that repentance itself is God's gift, not human achievement. This recognition validates Gentile inclusion without Jewish conversion, establishing grace-alone salvation.