Acts 14:15
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:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 39
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
2 of 39
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
τί
why
G5101
τί
why
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
4 of 39
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἐποίησεν
do ye
G4160
ἐποίησεν
do ye
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
6 of 39
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 39
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὐαγγελιζόμενοι
and preach
G2097
εὐαγγελιζόμενοι
and preach
Strong's:
G2097
Word #:
13 of 39
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
15 of 39
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τούτων
these things
G5130
τούτων
these things
Strong's:
G5130
Word #:
16 of 39
of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ματαίων
vanities
G3152
ματαίων
vanities
Strong's:
G3152
Word #:
18 of 39
empty, i.e., (literally) profitless, or (specially), an idol
ἐπιστρέφειν
that ye should turn
G1994
ἐπιστρέφειν
that ye should turn
Strong's:
G1994
Word #:
19 of 39
to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)
ἐπὶ
unto
G1909
ἐπὶ
unto
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
20 of 39
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 #:
21 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸν
God
G2316
θεὸν
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
22 of 39
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὃς
which
G3739
ὃς
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
25 of 39
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐποίησεν
do ye
G4160
ἐποίησεν
do ye
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
26 of 39
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανὸν
heaven
G3772
οὐρανὸν
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
28 of 39
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
29 of 39
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
30 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆν
earth
G1093
γῆν
earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
31 of 39
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
32 of 39
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
33 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
35 of 39
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
37 of 39
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 10:26But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.1 Corinthians 8:4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.James 5:17Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.1 Samuel 12:21And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.Revelation 14:7Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.Jeremiah 14:22Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.Jonah 2:8They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.Deuteronomy 32:21They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.Acts 4:24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Historical Context
At Lystra (AD 49), locals identified Paul and Barnabas as Zeus and Hermes after healing the lame man. The missionaries' torn clothes and urgent protest prevented idolatrous sacrifice, though barely (Acts 14:18). This incident highlights the challenge of contextualizing the gospel in pagan polytheistic cultures.
Questions for Reflection
- How should Christian leaders handle misplaced honor or celebrity status today?
- What role does creation theology play in evangelizing those without biblical background?
Analysis & Commentary
Paul's emphatic rejection of worship ('We also are men of like passions with you') establishes the unbridgeable distinction between human servants and divine Lord. The call to 'turn from these vanities unto the living God' presents the gospel as radical monotheism. The creational theology ('which made heaven, and earth, and the sea') provides natural revelation foundation for evangelism.