Acts 12:23

Authorized King James Version

And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

Word-by-Word Analysis

παραχρῆμα

G3916

immediately

at the thing itself, i.e., instantly

δὲ

G1161

And

but, and, etc

ἐπάταξεν

G3960

smote

to knock (gently or with a weapon or fatally)

αὐτὸν

G846

him

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

ἄγγελος

G32

the angel

compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

κυρίου

G2962

of the Lord

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἀνθ

G473

because

opposite, i.e., instead or because of (rarely in addition to)

ὧν

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐκ

G3756

not

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

#10

ἔδωκεν

G1325

he gave

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

#11

τὴν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#12

δόξαν

G1391

the glory

glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)

#13

τῷ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#14

θεῷ

G2316

God

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

#15

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#16

γενόμενος

G1096

he was

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

#17

σκωληκόβρωτος

G4662

eaten of worms

worm-eaten, i.e., diseased with maggots

#18

ἐξέψυξεν

G1634

and gave up the ghost

to expire

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing glory contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding glory in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?

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