Acts 22:14
And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
The God
G2316
θεὸς
The God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
5 of 25
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρων
fathers
G3962
πατέρων
fathers
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
7 of 25
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
προεχειρίσατό
hath chosen
G4400
προεχειρίσατό
hath chosen
Strong's:
G4400
Word #:
9 of 25
to handle for oneself in advance, i.e., (figuratively) to purpose
γνῶναι
that thou shouldest know
G1097
γνῶναι
that thou shouldest know
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
11 of 25
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θέλημα
will
G2307
θέλημα
will
Strong's:
G2307
Word #:
13 of 25
a determination (properly, the thing), i.e., (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 25
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 #:
15 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδεῖν
see
G1492
ἰδεῖν
see
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
16 of 25
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δίκαιον
that Just One
G1342
δίκαιον
that Just One
Strong's:
G1342
Word #:
18 of 25
equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φωνὴν
the voice
G5456
φωνὴν
the voice
Strong's:
G5456
Word #:
21 of 25
a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
22 of 25
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 26:16But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;1 Corinthians 9:1Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?1 Corinthians 15:8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.Galatians 1:12For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.Acts 9:17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.Acts 7:52Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:Acts 9:15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:1 John 2:1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Historical Context
Ananias spoke these words in Damascus circa AD 34-35. The title 'the Just One' (ὁ δίκαιος) was a messianic designation used by Stephen in his martyrdom speech (Acts 7:52), whom Paul had helped execute. This creates profound irony—Paul now serves the one whose followers he persecuted.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereign 'choosing' in Paul's conversion challenge modern emphasis on human decision-making?
- What does it mean to 'know God's will' beyond intellectual knowledge?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The God of our fathers hath chosen thee (Ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν προεχειρίσατό σε)—The verb 'chosen' (προεχειρίσατο) means 'appointed beforehand,' emphasizing God's sovereign election. Connecting to the God of our fathers shows Christianity's continuity with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The threefold purpose:
Paul's apostleship rests on seeing and hearing the risen Jesus, meeting the qualification of Acts 1:21-22.