Acts 11 23

Acts 11:23 kjv

Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Acts 11:23 nkjv

When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.

Acts 11:23 niv

When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

Acts 11:23 esv

When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,

Acts 11:23 nlt

When he arrived and saw this evidence of God's blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.

Acts 11 verses

Acts 11 23 Meaning

Acts 11:23 describes Barnabas's reaction and exhortation upon arriving in Antioch and witnessing the profound work of God among the new believers, particularly the Gentiles. He observed tangible evidence of God's unmerited favor, which filled him with great joy. Subsequently, he strongly encouraged these converts to maintain their faith with sincere commitment and to remain steadfastly connected to the Lord, indicating the importance of enduring faithfulness and sincere devotion in their newfound relationship with Christ.

Acts 11 23 Context

Acts chapter 11 narrates the continued expansion of the early church beyond its Jewish origins, following the Pentecost outpouring (Acts 2) and the conversion of Gentiles in Acts 10. Specifically, verses 19-21 describe the significant development in Antioch: believers scattered by persecution after Stephen's martyrdom preached the Gospel not only to Jews but also, for the first time on a widespread basis, to Gentiles ("Greeks"). Many Gentiles believed, and "a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord." The Jerusalem church, upon hearing this, sent Barnabas to Antioch. His mission was to assess and engage with this new work. Acts 11:23 captures Barnabas's initial observation and his crucial response to the burgeoning Gentile Christian community, confirming God's approval of their salvation and providing immediate spiritual direction for their ongoing journey of faith.

Acts 11 23 Word Analysis

• Who (ὃς - hos): Refers directly to Barnabas, who was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch (Acts 11:22). His reputation as "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith" (Acts 11:24) explains why he was chosen and why his response here is so significant.
• When he came (παραγενόμενος - paragenomenos): A participial form meaning "having come," indicating his arrival and presence. It emphasizes his personal assessment of the situation in Antioch.
• And had seen (ἰδών - idōn): From horaō, meaning not just a physical perception but also an intellectual and spiritual understanding, a clear discernment. Barnabas didn't just observe; he comprehended the divine reality at play.
• The grace (χάριν - charin) of God (Θεοῦ - Theou): Charis signifies unmerited favor, divine enablement, and active benevolence. In this context, it refers to the visible manifestation of God's favor and working power, evidenced by the sincere conversion and transformation of a great multitude, particularly Gentiles, a significant and somewhat unexpected outpouring of grace. This challenges previous Jewish-centric views of salvation.
• Was glad (ἐχάρη - echarē): From chairō, meaning to rejoice or be exceedingly glad. Barnabas's joy was a godly joy, springing from recognizing God's sovereign hand and validating the genuine conversion of the Gentiles, without any prior requirement of adherence to Mosaic law, echoing Peter's earlier experience (Acts 10).
• And exhorted (παρεκάλει - parekalei) them all: From parakaleō, meaning "to call alongside," "to encourage," "to urge," "to comfort," or "to appeal strongly." It's more than casual advice; it's a deep, Spirit-led urging for consistent Christian living. "Them all" signifies the inclusivity of the new Gentile believers, showing no discrimination.
• That with purpose (προθέσει - prothesei) of heart (καρδίας - kardias):
  • Purpose: Prothesis implies a fixed resolve, a deliberate intention, a settled plan. It speaks of intentionality and determination.
  • Heart: Kardia in Greek thought, like Hebrew, refers to the totality of the inner person—mind, will, emotion, conscience. It signifies the center of moral and intellectual life.
  • Combined, "purpose of heart" emphasizes a sincere, deeply ingrained, and steadfast inner resolve to remain true to their faith. It highlights inward conviction rather than outward compulsion.
• They would cleave (προσμένειν - prosmenin) unto the Lord (τῷ Κυρίῳ - tō Kyriō):
  • Cleave: Prosmenein means "to remain with," "to continue in adherence to," "to persevere," or "to cling steadfastly to." It denotes a sustained and unwavering commitment, implying permanence.
  • Unto the Lord: Tō Kyriō refers to Jesus Christ as Lord, signifying personal loyalty and dedication to Him. It encapsulates faithfulness in belief, devotion, and obedience.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "When he came, and had seen the grace of God": This phrase highlights Barnabas's discernment. He did not merely hear reports but personally witnessed the clear and compelling evidence of God's working among these new believers, a powerful sign of divine intervention and approval, particularly significant given the previously limited outreach to Gentiles.
  • "Was glad, and exhorted them all": This shows a seamless transition from discerning joy to proactive pastoral care. Barnabas's genuine happiness led him to immediately invest in the spiritual well-being of the nascent community, addressing all the believers with a message of enduring commitment.
  • "That with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord": This core exhortation emphasizes a deep, personal, and unwavering commitment to Christ. It signifies that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent or a fleeting emotional experience but a deliberate, internal decision to persistently adhere to and follow the Lord from the very core of one's being. This counsel was vital for converts in a new and possibly challenging context, where steadfastness would be tested.

Acts 11 23 Bonus Section

• Barnabas's suitability: His character as the "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36) made him uniquely suited for this role. His discernment to see God's grace and his Spirit-led exhortation were hallmarks of his ministry. He brought credibility and pastoral wisdom to a novel and potentially contentious situation of widespread Gentile conversion.
• Purity of Doctrine: Barnabas’s joy confirms that God’s grace had extended to Gentiles without them first having to become Jews through circumcision or observance of the Mosaic law. This directly laid groundwork for the later Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15) and highlights a key doctrinal development in the early church regarding Gentile inclusion.
• The Nature of Perseverance: The exhortation to "cleave unto the Lord" underscores that Christian faith is not a one-time event but a continuous journey requiring steadfastness. It implicitly teaches against spiritual apathy or falling away, advocating for enduring faithfulness. This perseverance is empowered by the very grace of God Barnabas observed.

Acts 11 23 Commentary

Acts 11:23 stands as a pivotal verse illustrating crucial aspects of early Christian mission and discipleship. Barnabas, a trusted leader, validated the genuine nature of the Gentile conversions in Antioch by recognizing "the grace of God." This was a confirmation that God's Spirit was indeed at work among them, despite their non-Jewish background. His joy affirmed divine approval, countering any potential doubt or criticism from within the broader Jewish-Christian community. More than simply being glad, Barnabas immediately stepped into a vital pastoral role, urgently "exhorting them all." His message was pointed: for these new believers, true faith required not just initial belief but persistent, sincere commitment. "Purpose of heart" speaks to internal, unreserved devotion—faith that engages the will and affections, leading to intentional Christian living. To "cleave unto the Lord" signifies enduring loyalty and abiding connection, a call to steadfast perseverance in their relationship with Jesus, emphasizing that salvation is a call to a life of sustained communion and obedience. This was fundamental teaching for new converts, ensuring a solid foundation for their spiritual growth and for the continued expansion of the Gospel in a multicultural setting.