Acts 14:9
The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
Original Language Analysis
οὗτος
The same
G3778
οὗτος
The same
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
1 of 15
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παύλου
Paul
G3972
Παύλου
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
4 of 15
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
ὃς
who
G3739
ὃς
who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
6 of 15
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 15
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 #:
9 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδὼν
perceiving
G1492
ἰδὼν
perceiving
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
10 of 15
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
11 of 15
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
πίστιν
faith
G4102
πίστιν
faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
12 of 15
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
ἔχει
he had
G2192
ἔχει
he had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
13 of 15
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
Historical Context
In pagan Lystra, this man likely knew nothing of Jewish Messianic hope. His faith arose purely from Paul's gospel preaching, demonstrating that saving faith transcends cultural or religious background. The public nature of this healing would profoundly impact the watching pagan audience.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you cultivate spiritual discernment to recognize when God is preparing someone for healing or salvation?
- What does the phrase 'faith to be healed' teach about the relationship between human faith and divine power?
Analysis & Commentary
The same heard Paul speak—The crippled man's faith arose from hearing gospel proclamation, illustrating Romans 10:17: 'faith cometh by hearing.' Paul's action—stedfastly beholding him (Greek atenisas autō)—describes intense, penetrating gaze, the same verb used of Peter's look at the lame man (Acts 3:4). Paul perceived that he had faith to be healed (Greek echei pistin tou sōthēnai). The verb sōthēnai means both physical healing and spiritual salvation, showing how physical miracles in Acts point to spiritual redemption. Paul's discernment parallels Jesus' recognition of faith before healing.