Acts 14:16
Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
Original Language Analysis
ὃς
Who
G3739
ὃς
Who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 13
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενεαῖς
times
G1074
γενεαῖς
times
Strong's:
G1074
Word #:
5 of 13
a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔθνη
nations
G1484
ἔθνη
nations
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
9 of 13
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
πορεύεσθαι
to walk
G4198
πορεύεσθαι
to walk
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
10 of 13
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 17:30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:Psalms 81:12So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.1 Peter 4:3For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:Psalms 147:20He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.Micah 4:5For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
Historical Context
This theology of Gentile history echoes Romans 1:18-32's description of humanity's willful turn to idolatry. Paul's argument meets Lycaonians where they are: acknowledging their ancestral paganism while declaring God's patience has brought them to this moment of truth.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's past forbearance toward ignorance shape evangelistic approach to those outside the faith?
- What does divine 'suffering' of Gentile ways teach about God's sovereignty over human history?
Analysis & Commentary
Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways—Paul's sermon introduces the biblical theology of divine forbearance toward Gentile ignorance. The Greek eiasen (suffered/allowed) doesn't imply approval but judicial patience, echoing Romans 3:25's 'passing over' of sins. All nations (πάντα τὰ ἔθνη) contrasts with Israel's covenantal privilege, yet God's restraint wasn't abandonment but measured delay before gospel proclamation to Gentiles.
This times past (γενεαῖς ταῖς παρῳχημέναις, 'generations gone by') refers to the pre-gospel era when God primarily worked through Israel while allowing pagan nations relative autonomy. Now, Paul's presence announces the 'times of ignorance' (Acts 17:30) have ended.