Acts 21 19

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 verses

Acts 21 19 Meaning

Acts 21:19 describes Paul's action upon meeting James and the elders in Jerusalem, where he provided a detailed report, attributing the success of his missionary work among the non-Jewish peoples directly to God's intervention and power, exercised through his apostolic service. This recounting underscored the divine authorization and accomplishment of the Gentile mission.

Acts 21 19 Context

Acts 21:19 places Paul immediately after his final recorded journey to Jerusalem (Acts 21:17). Having successfully navigated dangerous regions and escaped plots, he arrives and meets the church leadership, specifically James (the Lord's brother) and all the elders. This meeting is crucial for reporting on his ministry, particularly concerning the Gentile mission, to the central authority of the early church in Jerusalem. The city remains a significant hub for Jewish Christianity, and tensions are high regarding the integration of Gentiles into the Christian faith, especially concerning the adherence to Jewish law. Paul's report here is a reiteration of the work approved by the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 and sets the stage for the elders' request for Paul to visibly demonstrate his respect for Jewish traditions (v. 20-26), an attempt to bridge the divide between Jewish and Gentile believers and counteract false rumors about Paul. Historically and culturally, reporting to leadership was an expected practice for accountability and maintaining unity, especially in the context of expanding the nascent Christian movement into diverse cultural groups.

Acts 21 19 Word analysis

• When he had greeted them (ἀσπασάμενος αὐτούς - aspasamenos autous):

  • ἀσπασάμενος (aspasamenos): "having greeted," "having saluted." This is a common and culturally significant act of fellowship and respect in the ancient world, especially when meeting leaders or significant figures. It establishes rapport and recognizes the existing communal ties.
  • Significance: Paul, despite his apostolic authority and extensive travels, demonstrates humility and respect for the Jerusalem church leadership, indicating a desire for unity and recognition rather than acting independently.

• he related in detail (ἐξηγεῖτο - exēgeito):

  • ἐξηγεῖτο (exēgeito): "he explained," "narrated," "recounted," "related in detail." This Greek word is the root of our English word "exegete," which means to interpret or explain a text thoroughly. It suggests more than a casual report; it implies a formal, comprehensive, and perhaps even interpretative account of events. It points to a deliberate and systematic presentation.
  • Significance: Paul wasn't just summarizing; he was carefully explaining and interpreting the events, demonstrating their divine origin and theological implications to the leaders. This verb conveys Paul's desire for full transparency and proper understanding among those he was accountable to, in order to address any misunderstandings about his mission.

• what God had done (ὅσα ἐποίησεν ὁ Θεός - hosa epoiēsen ho Theos):

  • ὅσα (hosa): "as many things as," "whatever." Refers to the totality and scope of the actions.
  • ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen): "He did," "He made," "He accomplished." Simple past tense, emphasizing the completed action.
  • ὁ Θεός (ho Theos): "the God." Emphatically attributes all actions to God.
  • Significance: Paul consistently directs credit away from himself and towards God. This reflects deep theological conviction that the success of the Gentile mission was not due to his own skill or efforts, but solely to the sovereign power and purpose of God. This prevents boasting and reaffirms God's divine agency in salvation history.

• among the Gentiles (ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν - en tois ethnesin):

  • ἐν (en): "in," "among." Denotes the sphere or group.
  • τοῖς ἔθνεσιν (tois ethnesin): "the nations," "the Gentiles." Refers to the non-Jewish peoples. This phrase highlights the specific focus and target of Paul's ministry.
  • Significance: This was the most contentious aspect of Paul's ministry from the perspective of some Jewish believers. By focusing on God's work among the Gentiles, Paul directly addressed the heart of the theological and social tension between Jewish and Gentile believers in the early church. It reaffirmed that God's plan of salvation was truly global.

• through his ministry (διὰ τῆς διακονίας αὐτοῦ - dia tēs diakonias autou):

  • διὰ (dia): "through," "by means of." Indicates the instrument or means.
  • τῆς διακονίας (tēs diakonias): "the ministry," "the service," "the ministration." This is the common New Testament term for humble service, often referring to Christian service in various forms, here specifically Paul's apostolic work.
  • αὐτοῦ (autou): "his." Possessive pronoun referring to Paul.
  • Significance: Paul acknowledges his own role as an instrument, a servant, in God's grand plan. It underscores that while God is the ultimate agent, He chooses to work through human vessels and their dedicated service. Paul sees himself as a faithful conduit, not the source of power. It balances God's sovereignty with human responsibility.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "he related in detail what God had done": This phrase showcases Paul's humility and theological grounding. He is not promoting his achievements, but reporting God's. It underlines that human ministry is a channel for divine action, a common theme in Paul's letters (e.g., 1 Cor 3:5-7, 2 Cor 3:5-6).
  • "what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry": This concise statement encapsulates Paul's entire apostolic mission, clarifying its divine origin, its target audience, and his instrumental role. It sets the stage for further discussion in Jerusalem regarding the practical implications for church unity.

Acts 21 19 Bonus section

The meeting described in Acts 21:19, between Paul and James (often considered the head of the Jerusalem church) and the elders, parallels an earlier meeting described in Galatians 2. In Galatians, Paul's encounter was a private one with the "pillars" (Peter, James, and John) to gain recognition for his gospel to the Gentiles. Here, in Acts, it's a more public and formal report to the assembled leadership, validating the work that was earlier acknowledged and expanding on its actual, widespread implementation and divine authentication. This indicates Paul's consistent effort to work in harmony with the broader church leadership and counter the "Judaizer" movement which insisted Gentile converts must fully adopt Jewish customs, particularly circumcision, to be true followers of Christ. Luke's use of "exēgeito" may also subtly echo the concept of biblical exegesis, suggesting Paul's account was deeply rooted in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, now revealed in Christ through the Gentiles. This emphasis on divine accomplishment underscores that salvation for the Gentiles was God's initiative, not a human invention.

Acts 21 19 Commentary

Acts 21:19 is a pivotal moment, capturing Paul's consistent theological message and strategic reporting. His detailed account, conveyed using the significant term "exēgeito," was more than a mere update; it was a careful exposition designed to present irrefutable evidence of God's hand in the mission to the Gentiles. By explicitly stating "what God had done" rather than focusing on his own achievements, Paul effectively disarms potential criticism, asserting divine authority for the inclusion of Gentiles without requiring full adherence to Jewish legal practices. This reinforces the core message of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). The report to James and the elders symbolizes the unity Paul sought to maintain between his Gentile-focused mission and the mother church in Jerusalem, highlighting the accountability even of a powerful apostle. It prepares the Jerusalem leadership for the implications of a burgeoning Gentile church and acts as a foundation for their subsequent advice to Paul to demonstrate his fidelity to Jewish custom for the sake of unity.Practical usage examples:

• Leaders reporting to a board or constituents should follow Paul's example by highlighting what God has accomplished through the ministry, not merely their own efforts.
• In recounting successes, attributing credit to God fosters humility and prevents self-glorification within Christian service.