Acts 11 14

Acts 11:14 kjv

Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

Acts 11:14 nkjv

who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.'

Acts 11:14 niv

He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.'

Acts 11:14 esv

he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.'

Acts 11:14 nlt

He will tell you how you and everyone in your household can be saved!'

Acts 11 verses

Acts 11 14 Meaning

Acts 11:14 describes the angel's instruction to Cornelius, indicating that Peter, upon arrival, would deliver a specific message. These "words" would be the means through which Cornelius and his entire household would receive salvation. It emphasizes that salvation is conveyed through the spoken message of the gospel and extends God's saving grace to the entire family unit.

Acts 11 14 Context

Acts 11:14 is part of Peter's defense to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem regarding his interaction with Cornelius, a Gentile centurion. Earlier, in Acts 10, Cornelius, a devout "God-fearer" already seeking divine truth, received a vision instructing him to send for Simon Peter. Concurrently, Peter had a vision demonstrating that no food (or person) should be called unclean by God. The angel's words to Cornelius (recounted by Peter in 11:13-14) serve as divine confirmation that Peter was indeed the one designated by God to bring the message of salvation to Cornelius and his non-Jewish household. This narrative marks a monumental turning point in the early church, signifying God's clear intention to extend the gospel of salvation directly to the Gentiles without requiring prior conversion to Judaism or circumcision. It underscores the breaking down of traditional Jewish-Gentile barriers.

Acts 11 14 Word analysis

• who will speak (λαλήσει - lalēsei):

  • Greek term for speaking, proclaiming, declaring.
  • Emphasizes the necessity of verbal communication of the Gospel message. Salvation comes through hearing a specific, divinely revealed word, not through silent contemplation or general good deeds.
  • It's an active, deliberate declaration.

• to you words (σοι ῥήματα - soi rhēmata):

  • "Words" (rhēmata) here signify specific utterances, divine sayings, or messages. They are not merely concepts or ideas but the proclaimed content of the gospel concerning Jesus Christ.
  • The "words" refer to Peter's declaration about Jesus's life, death, resurrection, and the availability of forgiveness and new life through Him (as elaborated in Acts 10:34-43).
  • This highlights that salvation is mediated by God's specific truth, not a generic spiritual encounter.

• by which (ἐν οἷς - en hois):

  • The Greek preposition en combined with the dative plural relative pronoun hois functions instrumentally. It means "in which," "by means of which," or "through which."
  • It distinctly presents the "words" as the divinely appointed instrument or means by which salvation is effected. The words are the conduit, not just information.

• you and all your household (σύ καὶ πᾶς ὁ οἶκός σου - sy kai pas ho oikos sou):

  • "Household" (oikos) refers to the entire dwelling or family unit. In the ancient world, a "household" was expansive, including not only the nuclear family but also servants, extended relatives, and others residing under one roof and authority.
  • This phrase illustrates a pattern of corporate salvation or familial redemption seen throughout the Bible (e.g., Noah's ark, Passover, Philippian jailer, Lydia).
  • While individual faith is crucial, the emphasis here highlights God's grace extending to families, often through the spiritual decision and influence of the head of the household, or the Spirit's broader working within the family unit as it responds to the gospel. It implies that salvation's blessing is intended for the family as a whole, paving the way for each member's individual embrace of faith.

• will be saved (σωθήσῃ - sōthēsē):

  • From the Greek verb sōzō (to save, deliver, preserve). Here in the future passive voice, "you will be saved."
  • Encompasses spiritual deliverance from the power and penalty of sin, divine wrath, and spiritual death. It implies reconciliation with God and the bestowal of eternal life and divine favor.
  • It speaks of a holistic transformation and secure spiritual state, initiated by God and accessed through faith in the message presented.

Words-group analysis:

• "who will speak to you words by which": This entire phrase underlines the critical role of gospel proclamation in God's plan for salvation. It’s a divine imperative: God provides the speaker (Peter), the message ("words" about Christ), and the means ("by which" salvation occurs). This underscores the absolute necessity of the gospel message being verbally declared for individuals to hear and respond in faith.
• "you and all your household will be saved": This significant phrase highlights the familial reach of God's grace through the gospel. It does not imply automatic salvation for every individual in a household regardless of personal faith, but rather God’s benevolent provision for entire families, who, when hearing and responding collectively, can experience God's saving power. It signifies the breaking of social barriers as well, as this family included Gentiles.

Acts 11 14 Bonus section

• The Angel's command to Cornelius highlights divine initiation in salvation. God orchestrates the encounter, drawing the seekers and commissioning His messenger.
• Cornelius's prior devoutness as a "God-fearer" demonstrates a prepared heart. He was already practicing piety, charity, and prayer, which positioned him to be receptive to the fuller revelation of the gospel of Christ, though his existing good works did not constitute salvation.
• The emphasis on "words" counters any notion that faith is vague or subjective; it is anchored in the objective truth of the gospel proclamation.
• This passage powerfully establishes the pattern of Gentile inclusion in the early church, paving the way for universal evangelism that Paul would champion, effectively settling a crucial theological question that salvation in Christ is by faith, independent of Jewish legal adherence.

Acts 11 14 Commentary

Acts 11:14 distills the essence of the gospel's spread. It emphasizes that salvation is not a self-generated spiritual experience nor solely the result of good deeds, but is God's gift received through specific "words"—the proclamation of Jesus Christ and His saving work. The divine directive via an angel ensures Peter's mission to Cornelius's Gentile household is undeniable. The inclusivity of "you and all your household" reveals God's heart for family redemption, extending the covenantal blessings of the Abrahamic promise and the new covenant to entire family units, shattering the ethnocentric barriers of the early Jewish believers. This verse succinctly captures the necessity of the gospel message, its transformative power, and the broad scope of God's redemptive plan encompassing all people groups and families who embrace it. For instance, this provides a framework for Christians seeking to share the gospel with their extended families, understanding that God desires whole households to come to faith.