Acts 14:23

Authorized King James Version

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Word-by-Word Analysis

χειροτονήσαντες

G5500

when they had ordained

to be a hand-reacher or voter (by raising the hand), i.e., (generally) to select or appoint

δὲ

G1161

And

but, and, etc

αὐτοὺς

G846

them

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

πρεσβυτέρους

G4245

elders

older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"

κατ'

G2596

in every

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

ἐκκλησίαν

G1577

church

a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth

προσευξάμενοι

G4336

and had prayed

to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship

μετὰ

G3326

with

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

νηστειῶν

G3521

fasting

abstinence (from lack of food, or voluntary and religious); specially, the fast of the day of atonement

#10

παρέθεντο

G3908

they commended

to place alongside, i.e., present (food, truth); by implication, to deposit (as a trust or for protection)

#11

αὐτοὺς

G846

them

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

#12

τῷ

G3588

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

#13

κυρίῳ

G2962

to the Lord

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

#14

εἰς

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

#15

ὃν

G3739

whom

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

#16

πεπιστεύκεισαν

G4100

they believed

to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch

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

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
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?

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