Acts 7:38
This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
Original Language Analysis
οὗτός
This
G3778
οὗτός
This
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
1 of 30
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενόμενος
that was
G1096
γενόμενος
that was
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
4 of 30
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκκλησίᾳ
the church
G1577
ἐκκλησίᾳ
the church
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
7 of 30
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐρήμῳ
the wilderness
G2048
ἐρήμῳ
the wilderness
Strong's:
G2048
Word #:
10 of 30
lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
11 of 30
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγγέλου
the angel
G32
ἀγγέλου
the angel
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
13 of 30
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῷ
to him
G846
αὐτῷ
to him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 30
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
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρων
fathers
G3962
πατέρων
fathers
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
23 of 30
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ὃς
who
G3739
ὃς
who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
25 of 30
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐδέξατο
received
G1209
ἐδέξατο
received
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
26 of 30
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Romans 3:2Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.Hebrews 5:12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.Acts 7:53Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.1 Peter 4:11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.John 1:17For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.Deuteronomy 33:4Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.Isaiah 63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
Historical Context
Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-24) represents the covenant-making event that constituted Israel as God's treasured possession. The giving of Torah through angelic mediation emphasizes its divine origin (Galatians 3:19, Hebrews 2:2).
Stephen addresses Jews who venerated Torah but resisted the Spirit's work. First-century Judaism emphasized scribal tradition and Oral Torah alongside written Scripture. Stephen's point cuts deep: possessing Scripture doesn't equal obeying it. The Sanhedrin possessed the lively oracles yet remained dead in sin. This speech occurs roughly 1,500 years after Sinai, yet the pattern of receiving revelation while resisting obedience continues.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing the Old Testament assembly as 'church' shape our understanding of covenant continuity?
- What does it mean that God's oracles are 'living,' and how should this affect our Bible reading?
- In what ways can we possess Scripture yet resist its authority in our lives?
- How does the concept of mediation—Moses between God and Israel—illuminate Christ's superior mediation?
- What dangers exist in religious communities that prize doctrinal orthodoxy without Spirit-empowered obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us. Stephen describes Moses' mediatorial role, receiving divine revelation to transmit to Israel.
The term church in the wilderness (Greek: ekklēsia) is striking—the same word for Christ's New Testament church. This challenges the notion that church began at Pentecost; rather, there has always been one covenant people of God. The congregation of believers existed before Sinai, though now expanded to include Gentiles.
The angel which spake likely refers to the Angel of the LORD—divine messenger often understood as pre-incarnate Christ. God spoke through angelic mediation at Sinai, emphasizing the holiness of the Law. Moses stood between God and people, receiving the lively oracles—Greek logion, meaning 'divine utterances' or 'words of God.'
Lively means 'living'—God's word possesses inherent power and vitality (Hebrews 4:12). The oracles remain active and relevant, not dead letters. Stephen's point: Moses delivered living words, yet the people's hearts remained dead. External possession of Scripture without Spirit-wrought faith produces only judgment.