Acts 21:19
And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀσπασάμενος
when he had saluted
G782
ἀσπασάμενος
when he had saluted
Strong's:
G782
Word #:
2 of 18
to enfold in the arms, i.e., (by implication) to salute, (figuratively) to welcome
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 18
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
ἐξηγεῖτο
he declared
G1834
ἐξηγεῖτο
he declared
Strong's:
G1834
Word #:
4 of 18
to consider out (aloud), i.e., rehearse, unfold
καθ'
particularly
G2596
καθ'
particularly
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
5 of 18
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ὧν
what things
G3739
ὧν
what things
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
8 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐποίησεν
had wrought
G4160
ἐποίησεν
had wrought
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
9 of 18
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
11 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔθνεσιν
the Gentiles
G1484
ἔθνεσιν
the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
14 of 18
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
15 of 18
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
This formal report occurred before James and the Jerusalem elders around AD 57, roughly 25 years after the church's founding. Paul's third missionary journey had established numerous churches across Asia Minor and Greece, representing massive Gentile ingathering that challenged traditional Jewish Christian assumptions.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you report ministry success in ways that highlight God's work rather than personal achievement?
- What does Paul's detailed accounting to church leadership teach about apostolic accountability and ecclesial unity?
Analysis & Commentary
He declared particularly (ἐξηγέομαι, exēgéomai)—Paul gave a detailed, systematic report, the same Greek word used of explaining Scripture. Crucially, he reported what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry—attributing all success to divine agency, not apostolic technique. The phrase 'by his ministry' (διὰ τῆς διακονίας αὐτοῦ, dià tēs diakonías autoû) positions Paul as God's servant-instrument, not the source. This exemplifies biblical leadership that deflects glory to God while faithfully reporting His works. Paul's focus on Gentile conversions prepared the Jerusalem leadership to understand God's larger purposes.