Acts 26:18
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Original Language Analysis
ἀνοῖξαι
To open
G455
ἀνοῖξαι
To open
Strong's:
G455
Word #:
1 of 31
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
ὀφθαλμοὺς
eyes
G3788
ὀφθαλμοὺς
eyes
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
2 of 31
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
αὐτοὺς
that they
G846
αὐτοὺς
that they
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 31
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
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπιστρέψαι
and to turn
G1994
ἐπιστρέψαι
and to turn
Strong's:
G1994
Word #:
5 of 31
to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)
ἀπὸ
them from
G575
ἀπὸ
them from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
6 of 31
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
σκότους
darkness
G4655
σκότους
darkness
Strong's:
G4655
Word #:
7 of 31
shadiness, i.e., obscurity (literally or figuratively)
εἰς
that is in
G1519
εἰς
that is in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
8 of 31
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
φῶς
light
G5457
φῶς
light
Strong's:
G5457
Word #:
9 of 31
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐξουσίας
from the power
G1849
ἐξουσίας
from the power
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
12 of 31
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπὶ
unto
G1909
ἐπὶ
unto
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
15 of 31
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεόν
God
G2316
θεόν
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
17 of 31
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαβεῖν
may receive
G2983
λαβεῖν
may receive
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
19 of 31
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
αὐτοὺς
that they
G846
αὐτοὺς
that they
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 31
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 #:
23 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κλῆρον
inheritance
G2819
κλῆρον
inheritance
Strong's:
G2819
Word #:
24 of 31
a die (for drawing chances); by implication, a portion (as if so secured); by extension, an acquisition (especially a patrimony, figuratively)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡγιασμένοις
them which are sanctified
G37
ἡγιασμένοις
them which are sanctified
Strong's:
G37
Word #:
27 of 31
to make holy, i.e., (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate
πίστει
by faith
G4102
πίστει
by faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
28 of 31
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:Ephesians 1:18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,Acts 20:32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.Ephesians 5:8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:Isaiah 42:7To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.John 8:12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.Luke 1:79To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.Ephesians 4:18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:Isaiah 35:5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Historical Context
Paul's defense before King Agrippa (circa 59 AD), recounting his conversion and commission. This is Acts' third telling of Paul's Damascus road experience (also 9:1-19, 22:6-16), each emphasizing different elements for different audiences. Paul quotes Christ's commission, defining his three-decade ministry summarized in Romans 1:5: 'obedience to the faith among all nations.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does spiritual blindness manifest in people you know, and how can you help 'open their eyes'?
- What does transfer 'from the power of Satan unto God' reveal about salvation's cosmic dimensions?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me—Christ's Damascus road commission to Paul defines conversion's nature and gospel ministry's goal. Open their eyes (ἀνοῖξαι ὀφθαλμούς) pictures spiritual blindness needing divine cure. Turn from darkness to light and from power of Satan unto God emphasizes conversion as transfer between kingdoms (Colossians 1:13). Forgiveness of sins provides negative cleansing; inheritance among them which are sanctified gives positive standing. By faith that is in me makes Christ both message content and salvation's object.