Acts 16 32

Acts 16:32 kjv

And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

Acts 16:32 nkjv

Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.

Acts 16:32 niv

Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.

Acts 16:32 esv

And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.

Acts 16:32 nlt

And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household.

Acts 16 verses

Acts 16 32 Meaning

Acts 16:32 conveys that Paul and Silas immediately and explicitly proclaimed the full Gospel message, referred to as "the word of the Lord," to the Philippian jailer and to every individual present within his household. This proclamation served as the comprehensive answer to the jailer's urgent inquiry about salvation (Acts 16:30), emphasizing that faith in Christ (Acts 16:31) is founded upon understanding and receiving this divine message. The verse underscores the active verbal communication of the Gospel and its intended scope to encompass the entire household unit.

Acts 16 32 Context

Acts 16:32 immediately follows a pivotal event in Philippi. Paul and Silas, after being unjustly beaten and imprisoned for casting out a demon, experienced a miraculous earthquake that opened all prison doors. This terrified the jailer, who, fearing punishment for prisoner escape and contemplating suicide, was stopped by Paul. Overwhelmed, the jailer then posed the fundamental question, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). Paul and Silas's initial response, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:31), is then elaborated upon and put into action in verse 32, as they proceeded to teach the specific content of that faith.

In the Greco-Roman world, the household (oikia or domus) was the foundational social unit, comprising the head of the family, wife, children, relatives, servants, and slaves. Conversion of the head often meant a decision that affected or even included the entire household due to social structure, shared authority, and daily life. Early Christian evangelism strategically acknowledged and engaged with this household structure, leading to many instances of family conversions documented in Acts, reflecting a broader pattern of faith spreading through existing social networks.

Acts 16 32 Word analysis

• And (Καί - Kai): A simple conjunctive, signaling continuity. It connects this act of proclamation directly to the previous instruction given by Paul and Silas to believe in Jesus, indicating that sharing the "word of the Lord" is the detailed outworking of that initial command.

• they spoke (ἐλάλησαν - elalēsan): This aorist verb, from laleo, signifies a definite, completed act of vocal communication. It highlights the active and direct manner in which Paul and Silas conveyed the message. It was not implied, but explicitly uttered and declared, underlining the importance of verbal proclamation of the Gospel.

• the word of the Lord (τὸν λόγον τοῦ κυρίου - ton logon tou kyriou):

  • τὸν λόγον (ton logon - the word): "Logos" in this context refers to a specific, substantive message or divine communication. It's the full narrative, teachings, and significance of Jesus Christ. It implies a comprehensive message, not just a casual comment.
  • τοῦ κυρίου (tou kyriou - of the Lord): "Kyrios" means "master" or "lord." In the New Testament, particularly in such evangelical contexts, "the Lord" refers primarily to Jesus Christ, asserting His supreme authority, deity, and saving power. Thus, "the word of the Lord" means the message about Jesus Christ, given by God's authority, or directly from Jesus himself.

• to him (αὐτῷ - autō): This refers specifically to the Philippian jailer, the initial seeker. It shows the personalized nature of evangelism, addressing the individual's desperate spiritual need.

• and to all (καὶ πᾶσι - kai pasi): "Pasi" (all) underscores the inclusivity of the proclamation. The message was not reserved for a select few or the head of the house alone but extended to every member of the domestic unit, regardless of age, status, or role within the household.

• who were in his house (τοῖς ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ αὐτοῦ - tois en tē oikia autou): Literally, "to the ones in the house of him." "Oikia" here refers to the entire household—including family members, relatives, servants, and slaves living under the same roof and authority. This emphasizes that the Gospel, though received individually, has an immediate and intended outreach to one's entire domestic sphere, recognizing the communal aspect of faith in ancient societies.

• "they spoke the word of the Lord": This phrase underlines that the primary method of early evangelism was explicit verbal communication of divine truth. It implies that the content of the message was God's revelation, centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, providing the necessary knowledge for salvation.

• "to him and to all who were in his house": This grouping demonstrates the scope of the apostles' evangelistic efforts. While addressing the individual's spiritual need, it also highlights the significance of the household as a unit of reception for the Gospel in the early church, reflecting the pervasive social structure and the expectation that the faith of the patriarch could impact the whole family unit.

Acts 16 32 Bonus section

The speed with which Paul and Silas shared the "word of the Lord" to the entire household reflects the urgency and life-changing power inherent in the Gospel message. There was no delay or hesitation; once an opening for salvation was presented, the apostles seized the moment to deliver the comprehensive truth. The phrase "the word of the Lord" serves as a concise, yet profound, title for the Christian message, encapsulating its divine origin, its focus on Jesus as "Lord" and Savior, and its authoritative content. This verse illustrates that while supernatural events (like the earthquake) might prepare hearts, genuine conversion and understanding fundamentally rely on the clear and verbal articulation of God's revealed truth through human agents. It distinguishes between a general belief in God and specific faith rooted in the proclaimed message of Jesus Christ.

Acts 16 32 Commentary

Acts 16:32 articulates the pivotal step following the jailer's urgent salvation inquiry. It's a precise account of intentional evangelism: Paul and Silas didn't just perform miracles or preach generically; they actively and verbally expounded "the word of the Lord." This "word" represents the full, comprehensive message of Jesus Christ—His life, death, resurrection, and the implications for faith and salvation. This explicit proclamation was directed not only to the seeking jailer but extended, without exception, to every member of his household, highlighting the communal and inclusive nature of early Christian conversion. The immediate dissemination of the Gospel to the entire domestic unit reflects both the societal structure of the time and the conviction that God's saving grace is accessible and offered to all within one's sphere of influence, rooted in the foundational belief that faith comes through hearing this specific message.

• Practical Examples:
  • Sharing one's personal testimony is valuable, but it must lead to verbally sharing the explicit truths of the Gospel, as Paul and Silas did.
  • For those who come to faith, the desire to see family members, relatives, and dependents come to know Christ, actively inviting them to hear the "word of the Lord."
  • Organizing and supporting ministries that prioritize teaching and preaching the whole counsel of God within homes and families.