Acts 9:15

Authorized King James Version

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:

Word-by-Word Analysis

εἶπεν

G2036

said

to speak or say (by word or writing)

δὲ

G1161

But

but, and, etc

πρὸς

G4314

unto

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

G846

him

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

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύριος

G2962

the Lord

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

Πορεύου

G4198

Go thy way

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

ὅτι

G3754

for

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

σκεῦος

G4632

vessel

a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally or figuratively (specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband))

#10

ἐκλογῆς

G1589

a chosen

(divine) selection (abstractly or concretely)

#11

μοι

G3427

unto me

to me

#12

ἐστίν

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

#13

οὗτος

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

#14

τοῦ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#15

βαστάσαι

G941

to bear

to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.)

#16

τὸ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#17

ὄνομά

G3686

name

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

#18

μου

G3450

of me

#19

ἐνώπιον

G1799

before

in the face of (literally or figuratively)

#20

ἐθνῶν

G1484

the Gentiles

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

#21

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#22

βασιλέων

G935

kings

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

#23

υἱῶν

G5207

the children

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

#24

τε

G5037

and

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

#25

Ἰσραήλ·

G2474

of Israel

israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Acts Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Acts chapter 9 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

Related Resources

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