Acts 9:15
But 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:
Original Language Analysis
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 25
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
6 of 25
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Πορεύου
Go thy way
G4198
Πορεύου
Go thy way
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
7 of 25
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
8 of 25
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
σκεῦος
vessel
G4632
σκεῦος
vessel
Strong's:
G4632
Word #:
9 of 25
a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally or figuratively (specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband))
οὗτος
he
G3778
οὗτος
he
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
13 of 25
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βαστάσαι
to bear
G941
βαστάσαι
to bear
Strong's:
G941
Word #:
15 of 25
to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄνομά
name
G3686
ὄνομά
name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
17 of 25
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
ἐθνῶν
the Gentiles
G1484
ἐθνῶν
the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
20 of 25
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
βασιλέων
kings
G935
βασιλέων
kings
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
22 of 25
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
υἱῶν
the children
G5207
υἱῶν
the children
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
23 of 25
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Cross References
Romans 11:13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:Romans 1:5By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:Jeremiah 1:5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.1 Timothy 2:7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.2 Timothy 2:4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.Acts 13:2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.Acts 22:21And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.1 Corinthians 15:10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.Matthew 10:18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.John 15:16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Historical Context
Spoken to Ananias in Damascus circa AD 34-35, shortly after Saul's conversion on the Damascus road. Saul had been persecuting Christians with letters of authority from the high priest. God's choice of Saul - a Pharisee, Roman citizen, and trained under Gamaliel - uniquely equipped him to reach both Jews and Gentiles, fulfilling the commission to take the gospel 'to the uttermost part of the earth' (Acts 1:8).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's calling as a 'chosen vessel' encourage you to trust God's sovereign purposes even in your past failures?
- What unique combination of background, gifts, and experiences has God given you for His specific purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Greek phrase 'skeuos eklogēs' (chosen vessel/instrument) emphasizes Paul's election by divine sovereignty for a specific purpose. God outlines three spheres of Paul's ministry: Gentiles (ethnē), kings (basileis), and Israel (huioi Israel) - a mission Paul fulfilled through his missionary journeys, appearances before rulers like Agrippa and Caesar, and ministry in synagogues. The term 'vessel' suggests both honor and usefulness, reflecting Paul's later teaching about vessels prepared for noble purposes (2 Timothy 2:20-21). This calling demonstrates God's grace in choosing His greatest persecutor to become His greatest missionary.