Acts 21:19 kjv
And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
Acts 21:19 nkjv
When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Acts 21:19 niv
Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Acts 21:19 esv
After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Acts 21:19 nlt
After greeting them, Paul gave a detailed account of the things God had accomplished among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Acts 21 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 15:19 | "Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:" | Setting precedent for gentile inclusion |
| Romans 11:13 | "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:" | Paul's apostleship to Gentiles acknowledged |
| Galatians 2:8 | "(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)" | Parallel statement on Paul's Gentile ministry |
| 1 Corinthians 15:10 | "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." | Emphasis on God's grace in his labor |
| 2 Corinthians 12:12 | "Truly the signs of a working of a genuine apostleship were performed among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds." | Signs and wonders confirming apostleship |
| Ephesians 3:8 | "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;" | Humility regarding the grace to Gentiles |
| 1 Timothy 1:12-13 | "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief." | Gratitude for mercy and ministry |
| 2 Timothy 1:11 | "Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles." | Reiteration of his specific calling |
| 1 Peter 4:10 | "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." | Diversity of gifts administered by grace |
| 1 Corinthians 1:4-7 | "I thank my God alway for you, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:" | God's grace enriching believers |
| Romans 1:5 | "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:" | Grace and apostleship for obedience |
| Romans 15:15-16 | "Nevertheless, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost." | Ministering the Gospel to Gentiles |
| 1 Corinthians 9:20-22 | "And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." | Paul's adaptation for gaining people |
| Colossians 1:25 | "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given me to you-ward, to fulfil the word of God;" | dispensation of God given for the Gentiles |
| Titus 1:5 | "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:" | Establishing order in churches |
| 1 Peter 5:1-4 | "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am the fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." | Encouragement to elders to shepherd |
| Acts 14:27 | "And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles." | Reporting God's work among Gentiles |
| John 3:16 | "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." | Universal love of God as the foundation |
| Acts 10:34 | "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:" | God's impartial acceptance of believers |
| Galatians 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." | Unity in Christ regardless of background |
Acts 21 verses
Acts 21 19 Meaning
Paul, after his presentation, encounters a peaceful gathering of believers. James, the leader, along with the elders, greets Paul and acknowledges the abundant grace of God evident in his ministry among the Gentiles. They express their positive recognition of his work, seeing it as a testament to God's power and influence.
Acts 21 19 Context
Paul has just arrived in Jerusalem after a lengthy ministry journey. He is meeting with James, the recognized leader of the Jerusalem church, and the elders. This meeting occurs after Paul's extensive work among the Gentiles. The Jewish believers in Jerusalem are aware of the controversy surrounding Paul's ministry and the potential implications for adherence to Jewish law among Gentile converts. Therefore, this is a crucial moment for addressing these concerns and confirming the unity of the early church. The presence of a large number of Jewish believers in Jerusalem necessitates a careful approach.
Acts 21 19 Word analysis
- Paul: (Gk. Παῦλος, Paulos) The apostle to the Gentiles, known for his missionary journeys and profound theological insights.
- when (Gk. ὅτε, hote): Indicates the time of this encounter.
- he: Refers to Paul.
- came (Gk. εἰσῆλθεν, eisēlthen): Entered; denotes his arrival and presentation.
- with (Gk. σὺν, syn): Together with.
- us (Gk. ἡμῖν, hēmin): Refers to Paul and his companions.
- And when he came... all the multitude. The text skips forward from his arrival to the point of meeting James and the elders. The reference to "all the multitude" likely refers to the apostles and elders, representing the broader leadership of the church in Jerusalem.
- reported (Gk. ἀνήγγειλαν, anēngeilan): To bring back tidings, to relate; here, Paul recounting his ministry.
- all: Comprehensively, without omitting significant details.
- that (Gk. ἃ, ha): Which things.
- God (Gk. ὁ θεὸς, ho theos): The Almighty; emphasis on divine agency.
- had done (Gk. ἐποίησεν, epoiēsen): Had performed or accomplished.
- by (Gk. διὰ, dia): Through or by means of.
- him (Gk. αὐτοῦ, autou): Referring to God.
- And when James heard it, he gave the judgment. James, as the recognized leader, responds with a decision.
- James: (Gk. Ἰάκωβος, Iakōbos) The brother of Jesus, and leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 12:17; 15:13; Gal 1:19). His judgment carries significant weight.
- And when they were come... he glorified God. This portion of verse 19 (which was in earlier considerations but not in the verse provided) is omitted. The verse focuses on Paul's report and the elders' positive reception.
Word-group analysis
- Paul reported... what things God had done by him: This phrase encapsulates Paul's detailed account of his missionary efforts. It highlights the divine sovereignty and power at work in his ministry, shifting the focus from Paul's efforts to God's achievements through him. This mirrors how reports were given in the early church (cf. Acts 14:27).
- all that God had done by him: This signifies the totality of God's work, including miracles, conversions, and the establishment of churches, particularly among the Gentiles. It underscores Paul's humility in attributing success to God.
Acts 21 19 Bonus section
The interaction signifies the interconnectedness of the early church. Despite geographical separation and diverse ministries (Paul among Gentiles, Peter primarily among Jews initially), there was a shared mission and accountability. James's affirmation implicitly supports the theological framework established at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), affirming that God’s grace alone, not adherence to Jewish Law, was the basis for Gentile inclusion. The elders' response underscores the importance of community discernment and mutual encouragement in the spread of the Gospel.
Acts 21 19 Commentary
Paul's report to James and the elders in Jerusalem is not about boasting but about transparently sharing the fruit of his labor. The acknowledgment from James and the elders of "all the glory that God had received" through Paul's ministry highlights the unity of purpose within the early church, despite the diverse ministries. They recognize that God’s grace was truly active in Paul’s work, specifically confirming its validity and authenticity in the lives of the Gentiles. This recognition sets a positive tone for the subsequent discussion about the implications of his ministry on Jewish believers and the Mosaic Law.