Acts 15 14

Acts 15:14 kjv

Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

Acts 15:14 nkjv

Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.

Acts 15:14 niv

Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.

Acts 15:14 esv

Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.

Acts 15:14 nlt

Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself.

Acts 15 verses

Acts 15 14 Meaning

This verse highlights Simeon Peter's acknowledgment of God's past intervention and favor toward the Gentiles, confirming their genuine conversion through faith in Jesus Christ. He declares that God chose the Gentiles to receive the message of the Gospel and believe it, thereby purifying their hearts.

Acts 15 14 Context

In Acts chapter 15, the early church faced a major theological and practical issue: whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law to be considered true followers of Christ. This was a contentious point, particularly among Jewish believers. Acts 15:14 occurs during the Jerusalem Council, where apostles and elders gathered to address this very question. Peter's speech, as recorded in this verse, is a crucial intervention. He had personally experienced God's validation of Gentile inclusion through Cornelius's conversion (Acts 10). His words in Acts 15:14 are a summary of this divine endorsement and a powerful argument for the council to accept the Gentiles on the basis of faith alone. This passage is foundational for understanding the inclusivity of the Gospel message, transcending ethnic and religious boundaries.

Acts 15 14 Word analysis

• Συμεών (Symeōn): A Greek form of the Hebrew name Simeon. Refers to the apostle Peter, whose original name was Simon (Sýmōn), but was given the Aramaic name Cephas (Kephas) by Jesus, meaning "rock" (John 1:42). Peter's testimony carries significant weight due to his leadership role and his prior encounter with God's work among Gentiles.
• Συμεὼν (Symeōn): The transliteration.
• ἐξηγήσατο (exēgēsato): Aorist middle indicative, from the verb exēgeomai, meaning "to explain," "to narrate," or "to interpret." Peter is presenting a clear explanation of what God has done.
• ὡς (hōs): "as" or "how." It introduces Peter's testimony about God's action.
• πρῶτος (prōtos): "first." This emphasizes that Peter was the first to openly declare God's initiating action among the Gentiles at this council.
• ὁ (ho): "the" (definite article).
• Θεὸς (Theos): "God." The divine subject of Peter's declaration.
• ἐπεσκέψατο (epeskepsato): Aorist middle indicative, from episkopéō, meaning "to look upon," "to visit," or "to care for." It conveys God's active and benevolent attention and intervention in the lives of the Gentiles. This word often implies a divine visitation of mercy.
• ἐν (en): "in" or "among."
• τοῖς (tois): "the" (definite article, dative plural).
• ἔθνεσιν (ethnesin): "the nations" or "the Gentiles." It refers to people outside of the Jewish people, signifying the broad scope of God's redemptive plan.
• τοῦ (tou): "the" (definite article, genitive singular).
• λαβεῖν (labein): Aorist active infinitive, from lambanō, meaning "to take" or "to receive."
• ἔθνος (ethnos): "a nation" or "a people."
• πρὸς (pros): "for" or "unto."
• τὸ (to): "the" (definite article, accusative singular).
• ὄνομα (onoma): "name." In this context, it refers to invoking or believing in the name of Jesus Christ.
• αὐτοῦ (autou): "his."
• Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou): "Jesus."
• Χριστοῦ (Christou): "Christ."

Word group analysis:

• "Simeon has related how first God visited the Gentiles": This phrase underscores Peter's role as a witness and the pioneering nature of God's work among the non-Jews, establishing that it was God's initiative.
• "to take from among the nations a people for his name": This powerfully articulates the essence of salvation for the Gentiles – not through legalistic observance but through a direct selection and incorporation into God's people, defined by their relationship to Jesus Christ's name. It points to a divine election and calling.

Acts 15 14 Bonus Section

The word "episképtomai" (ἐπεσκέψατο), translated as "visited," carries rich Old Testament undertones. It is often used to describe God's merciful visits to His people in times of distress or His visitation to bless (e.g., Exodus 3:16, Psalms 8:4, 106:4). In Acts 15:14, it highlights God's compassionate initiative towards the Gentiles, His "visitation of mercy." This divine action of visiting and choosing underscores that Gentile inclusion is not a secondary addition but an integral part of God's unfolding redemptive plan, prefigured in the Old Testament prophecies that spoke of God extending salvation to the nations.

Acts 15 14 Commentary

Peter's statement in Acts 15:14 is pivotal in the early church's understanding of salvation. It affirms that God's plan of salvation is not exclusively for the Jewish people but extends to all nations. His reference to God "visiting" the Gentiles signifies God's active, compassionate intervention and His choosing them to be His people. This choosing is demonstrated by their receiving salvation "for His name"—meaning through faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning work. Peter highlights that this selection is sovereign ("God visited... to take"), unprompted by Gentile merit, and inclusive ("from the nations"). This testimony directly counters the Judaizers' insistence on circumcision and law-keeping for Gentile believers, grounding the Gentile inclusion in God's own decisive action and will.