Acts 14:15

Authorized King James Version

And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

Word-by-Word Analysis

καὶ

G2532

And

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

λέγοντες

G3004

saying

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ἄνδρες

G435

Sirs

a man (properly as an individual male)

τί

G5101

why

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ταῦτα

G5023

these

these things

ἐποίησεν

G4160

do ye

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

καὶ

G2532

And

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

ἡμεῖς

G2249

we (only used when emphatic)

ὁμοιοπαθεῖς

G3663

of like passions

similarly affected

#10

ἐσμεν

G2070

are

we are

#11

ὑμῖν

G5213

with you

to (with or by) you

#12

ἄνθρωποι

G444

men

man-faced, i.e., a human being

#13

εὐαγγελιζόμενοι

G2097

and preach

to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel

#14

ὑμᾶς

G5209

unto you

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

#15

ἀπὸ

G575

from

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

#16

τούτων

G5130

these things

of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)

#17

τῶν

G3588

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

#18

ματαίων

G3152

vanities

empty, i.e., (literally) profitless, or (specially), an idol

#19

ἐπιστρέφειν

G1994

that ye should turn

to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)

#20

ἐπὶ

G1909

unto

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

#21

τὸν

G3588

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

#22

θεὸν

G2316

God

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

#23

τὸν

G3588

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

#24

ζῶντα

G2198

the living

to live (literally or figuratively)

#25

ὃς

G3739

which

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

#26

ἐποίησεν

G4160

do ye

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

#27

τὸν

G3588

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

#28

οὐρανὸν

G3772

heaven

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

#29

καὶ

G2532

And

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

#30

τὴν

G3588

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

#31

γῆν

G1093

earth

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

#32

καὶ

G2532

And

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

#33

τὴν

G3588

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

#34

θάλασσαν

G2281

the sea

the sea (genitive case or specially)

#35

καὶ

G2532

And

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

#36

πάντα

G3956

all things

all, any, every, the whole

#37

τὰ

G3588

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

#38

ἐν

G1722

that are therein

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

#39

αὐτοῖς·

G846

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

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 divine sovereignty 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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Acts Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
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?

Related Resources

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