Acts 13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Original Language Analysis
παῤῥησιασάμενοί
waxed bold
G3955
παῤῥησιασάμενοί
waxed bold
Strong's:
G3955
Word #:
1 of 34
to be frank in utterance, or confident in spirit and demeanor
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
4 of 34
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Βαρναβᾶς
Barnabas
G921
Βαρναβᾶς
Barnabas
Strong's:
G921
Word #:
7 of 34
son of nabas (i.e., prophecy); barnabas, an israelite
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
that the word
G3056
λόγον
that the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
15 of 34
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ·
of God
G2316
θεοῦ·
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
17 of 34
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐπειδὴ
seeing
G1894
ἐπειδὴ
seeing
Strong's:
G1894
Word #:
18 of 34
since now, i.e., (of time) when, or (of cause) whereas
αὐτὸν
it
G846
αὐτὸν
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 34
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐκ
unworthy
G3756
οὐκ
unworthy
Strong's:
G3756
Word #:
23 of 34
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ἀξίους
G514
ἑαυτοὺς
yourselves
G1438
ἑαυτοὺς
yourselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
26 of 34
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἰωνίου
of everlasting
G166
αἰωνίου
of everlasting
Strong's:
G166
Word #:
28 of 34
perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)
στρεφόμεθα
we turn
G4762
στρεφόμεθα
we turn
Strong's:
G4762
Word #:
31 of 34
to twist, i.e., turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
32 of 34
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Acts 28:28Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.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.Acts 26:20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.Matthew 21:43Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.Romans 2:10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:Romans 1:16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.Acts 22:21And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.Acts 13:26Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.Isaiah 55:5Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.John 1:11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Historical Context
This statement in Pisidian Antioch established precedent for Paul's later ministry pattern: synagogue preaching first, then turning to Gentiles when Jews rejected the message. It reflected God's redemptive history from particular (Israel) to universal (all nations).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's commitment to His purposes persist even when initial recipients reject His offer?
- What does this teach about the relationship between God's historical dealings with Israel and the church's Gentile mission?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Paul and Barnabas's bold declaration - 'It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you... lo, we turn to the Gentiles' - marks a theological turning point. God's historical priority for Israel (Romans 1:16) didn't exclude Gentiles but established the pattern. Jewish rejection opened the door for Gentile inclusion, demonstrating how God's purposes advance even through opposition.