Acts 11 18

Acts 11:18 kjv

When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Acts 11:18 nkjv

When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

Acts 11:18 niv

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life."

Acts 11:18 esv

When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life."

Acts 11:18 nlt

When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, "We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life."

Acts 11 verses

Acts 11 18 Meaning

Acts 11:18 reveals the crucial realization by the Jewish Christian leaders in Jerusalem: God has extended His divine grace and salvation, through genuine repentance, to Gentiles. After hearing Peter's detailed account of Cornelius' conversion and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they concluded that God Himself had initiated and accomplished this, proving His universal plan of redemption beyond the confines of Jewish ethnicity or law. This verse marks a pivotal moment of theological understanding and acceptance within the early church regarding God's inclusive work among all peoples.

Acts 11 18 Context

Acts 11:18 marks the culmination of a significant theological shift for the early church, primarily centered in Jerusalem and composed of Jewish believers. The chapter begins with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem confronting Peter regarding his interaction with Gentiles—specifically, entering their uncircumcised homes and eating with them (Acts 11:2-3). This act was highly controversial given Jewish ceremonial laws and long-held traditions that meticulously separated Jews from Gentiles. Peter defends his actions by recounting in detail the vision he received (Acts 10:9-16), his subsequent encounter with Cornelius' household, the unexpected outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them while he was still speaking, and their baptism (Acts 10:17-48; reiterated in Acts 11:4-17).

Historically and culturally, the Jewish people held a strong conviction of being God's chosen people, set apart from the Gentile nations. The idea that Gentiles could receive salvation and the Holy Spirit without first converting to Judaism (e.g., circumcision, adherence to the Mosaic Law) was radical and directly challenged their exclusive understanding of the covenant. The immediate context of Acts 11:18 is Peter's comprehensive explanation, which clearly demonstrates God's initiative in breaking down these barriers. The leaders' response in verse 18 signifies their conviction that this was undeniably the work of God, compelling them to adjust their theology and praxis. This acceptance paves the way for the broader Gentile mission, especially Paul's ministry, and anticipates the debates resolved at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15.

Acts 11 18 Word analysis

• When they heard these things: Refers to the apostles, elders, and the brothers in Judea (Acts 11:1), who had initially questioned Peter. Their hearing involved careful listening to Peter's comprehensive, eyewitness testimony of the events concerning Cornelius (Acts 11:4-17).
• they held their peace (Greek: hēsuchasan - ἡσύχασαν): This term denotes a ceasing of activity, particularly of speaking or contention. It implies a quietening, a settling down, and a cessation of their former opposition or questioning. Their initial argument or doubt dissolved in the face of compelling divine evidence. It indicates their acceptance and full agreement.
• and glorified God (Greek: edoxasan ton Theon - ἐδόξασαν τὸν Θεόν): To "glorify" means to give honor, praise, and recognition to God for His attributes and actions. This is the natural and righteous response to understanding God's revealed will and His powerful, merciful work. It indicates a profound spiritual acknowledgment and joy in what God had done.
• saying: Expresses the verbalized conclusion reached by the Jewish leaders after their silent, reflective acceptance.
• “Then God has granted (Greek: ara kai tois ethnesin ho Theos tēn metanoian edōken - ἄρα καὶ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ὁ Θεὸς τὴν μετάνοιαν ἔδωκεν):
  • Then (Greek: ara - ἄρα): This is an inferential particle, signifying "therefore," "consequently," or "so then." It indicates a logical conclusion drawn from the preceding evidence presented by Peter. It emphasizes the inevitability of this truth.
  • God has granted (Greek: ho Theos edōken - ὁ Θεὸς ἔδωκεν): Literally, "God gave" or "God has given." This highlights God's sovereignty and initiative. Repentance is not merely a human decision but a divine gift, enablement, or opportunity extended by God (cf. Rom 2:4, 2 Tim 2:25). It's an act of divine grace, not human effort or achievement.
• even to the Gentiles (Greek: kai tois ethnesin - καὶ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν):
  • even (Greek: kai - καὶ): Used here emphatically, meaning "also," "even," "too." It underscores the surprising, revolutionary, and unexpected inclusion of Gentiles in God's saving plan, directly contrasting with previous Jewish exclusive views.
  • to the Gentiles (Greek: tois ethnesin - τοῖς ἔθνεσιν): "To the nations," "to the non-Jews." This is the key recipient group whose inclusion marked a radical shift in early church theology.
• repentance (Greek: tēn metanoian - τὴν μετάνοιαν): A profound change of mind (Greek: meta, change; noia, mind or thought), which leads to a change of heart, direction, and behavior, turning away from sin and self and turning toward God. In this context, it is presented as a gift from God that enables entry into salvation.
• that leads to life (Greek: eis zōēn - εἰς ζωὴν): Literally, "unto life" or "into life." This refers to eternal life, spiritual life in communion with God, the ultimate outcome and goal of true repentance. It is not merely a temporal life but a saving, eternal existence in Christ.

Words-group analysis:

• "They held their peace and glorified God": This phrase succinctly captures the complete transformation in their demeanor—from accusatory or skeptical silence to accepting, reverent praise. It signifies that divine truth had overcome human prejudice and tradition.
• "Then God has granted even to the Gentiles repentance": This phrase articulates the theological breakthrough. The "then" (ara) shows it's a reasoned conclusion; "God has granted" emphasizes divine sovereignty and initiative; and "even to the Gentiles" marks the astonishing scope of God's grace, dissolving previous barriers.
• "Repentance that leads to life": This concisely defines the purpose and result of God's gift. Repentance is not an end in itself but the divinely enabled pathway to spiritual and eternal life through Christ.

Acts 11 18 Bonus section

The realization expressed in Acts 11:18 laid foundational groundwork for major doctrinal points and missionary endeavors in the book of Acts. Without this acceptance by the Jerusalem leadership, Paul’s subsequent missions to the Gentiles would have faced far more significant and potentially divisive challenges from within the church itself. This event highlights the importance of spiritual discernment and humility among leaders to adapt their understanding of God's plan when faced with undeniable divine revelation, even if it contradicts long-held traditions or interpretations. It teaches us that God's ways can sometimes challenge our preconceived notions of His working and who He includes in His saving purposes. This acceptance of Gentile inclusion served as a powerful confirmation of God’s intention to form a new spiritual Israel comprised of believers from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation (Rev 7:9), thereby fulfilling many Old Testament prophecies about the ingathering of the Gentiles.

Acts 11 18 Commentary

Acts 11:18 encapsulates the revolutionary shift in the understanding of the early Jerusalem church regarding the scope of God's salvation. After Peter’s defense of his mission to Cornelius’s Gentile household, marked by the indisputable evidence of the Holy Spirit's descent upon them, the Jewish believers’ objections transformed into awe and praise. Their initial silence signified the cessation of their questioning, acknowledging the overwhelming proof of divine action. Their subsequent glorification of God underscored their recognition that this surprising inclusion of Gentiles was entirely His work, an unfolding of His universal redemptive plan, previously not fully grasped.

The emphasis on God granting repentance signifies divine enablement. It’s not merely a human decision, but a supernatural work where God extends the capacity and opportunity to turn from sin and self to Him, ultimately leading to eternal life. This moment validated the expansion of the Gospel beyond its Jewish roots, confirming that salvation through repentance and faith in Christ was indeed for all nations, apart from adherence to the Mosaic Law. It marked a crucial doctrinal turning point, confirming the unified body of Christ without distinctions of Jew or Gentile.

• Example 1: The experience is like an exclusive club whose members suddenly realize the club owner has decided to open membership to everyone, not based on origin but on accepting the new, universal criteria.
• Example 2: This mirrors when a parent teaches a child that certain toys were only for one gender, then realizes that was an arbitrary restriction, and allows all children to play with them.
• Example 3: A family that believed their heirloom treasure map only pointed to treasure in their backyard suddenly realizes, upon closer examination, that the map also reveals treasure hidden across the continent for everyone to discover.