Acts 26 18

Acts 26:18 kjv

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Acts 26:18 nkjv

to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'

Acts 26:18 niv

to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Acts 26:18 esv

to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Acts 26:18 nlt

to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me.'

Acts 26 verses

Acts 26 18 Meaning

Acts 26:18 records Jesus' commission to Paul on the Damascus road. It outlines the purpose of Paul's ministry: to open people's spiritual eyes so they turn from ignorance and sin (darkness) to God's truth and holiness (light), and from the oppressive dominion of Satan to the benevolent rule of God. The desired outcomes are the reception of forgiveness for sins and a secure, eternal inheritance among those whom God has set apart through their faith in Jesus Christ. It describes a profound and transformative spiritual journey from spiritual death to life in God.

Acts 26 18 Context

Acts 26 records Paul's powerful defense before King Agrippa II, Bernice, and Governor Festus in Caesarea. Paul, unjustly accused by the Jews, recounts his entire story from his zealous persecution of Christians to his dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus. Verse 18 is part of Jesus' direct command to Paul, delivered during this encounter, clarifying the divine purpose of his call to apostleship. It’s Jesus’ blueprint for Paul’s evangelistic ministry, especially to the Gentiles. This commission explains why Paul has endured so much hardship and why his message is so critical – it's about leading people into a new life and relationship with God, a message that stood in stark contrast to both Jewish legalism and pagan idolatry.

Acts 26 18 Word analysis

• to open their eyes (ἀνοῖξαι τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς - anoixai tous ophthalmous): This refers not to physical sight but to spiritual enlightenment. It signifies removing intellectual and spiritual blindness, allowing them to comprehend divine truth. Before Christ, people were often spiritually oblivious or deluded, serving idols and bound by worldly philosophies. Paul's own temporary physical blindness (Acts 9:8) led to spiritual sight, embodying the message he would preach.
• in order to turn them (τοῦ ἐπιστρέψαι - tou epistrepsai): Indicates a decisive, active change of direction and allegiance. It is an act of repentance and conversion, moving away from former ways of life. This turning is initiated by divine intervention but requires a human response.
• from darkness (ἐκ σκότους - ek skotous): Symbolizes spiritual ignorance, sin, moral corruption, and the dominion of evil. It is a realm characterized by a lack of truth, the absence of God's presence, and a state of rebellion against Him.
• to light (εἰς φῶς - eis phōs): Represents divine truth, holiness, purity, God's revelation, and the very presence of God and Christ, who is the light of the world. It signifies spiritual understanding, righteousness, and eternal life.
• and from the power of Satan (καὶ τῆς ἐξουσίας τοῦ Σατανᾶ - kai tēs exousias tou Satana): This denotes deliverance from the authoritative dominion and enslavement of Satan. Humanity, without Christ, is spiritually captive to Satan's influence, operating within his realm of sin and death. This also directly challenges contemporary pagan beliefs where gods/demons held sway.
• to God (ἐπὶ τὸν Θεόν - epi ton Theon): A transfer of allegiance, from spiritual bondage to a relationship of loving submission and devotion to the one true, living God. This is entry into His benevolent rule and fellowship.
• so that they may receive (τοῦ λαβεῖν αὐτοὺς - tou labein autous): The ensuing benefits, indicating an active reception on the part of the believer. It highlights the gift nature of these blessings.
• forgiveness of sins (ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν - aphesin hamartiōn): Refers to the complete remission, pardon, or cancellation of moral wrongdoing. It is a judicial act by God, liberating individuals from the guilt and penalty of sin.
• and an inheritance (καὶ κλῆρον - kai klēron): A share or portion received, not earned. It points to a divine promise of eternal life, co-heirship with Christ, and membership in God’s kingdom. For Gentiles, this was a radical inclusion into God’s covenant blessings, previously associated with Israel.
• among those who are sanctified (ἐν τοῖς ἡγιασμένοις - en tois hēgiasmenois): Denotes those who have been made holy, set apart by God for His purposes. This refers to positional sanctification (at salvation) and a progressive process of holiness. This community is the Church.
• by faith in Me (πίστει τῇ εἰς ἐμέ - pistei tē eis eme): The essential and sole means by which all these spiritual blessings—enlightenment, conversion, freedom, forgiveness, and inheritance—are received. It underscores personal trust and reliance on Jesus Christ himself, a key distinction of the Gospel.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light": This initial segment outlines the spiritual illumination and subsequent repentance. It details the movement from ignorance and moral depravity to divine knowledge and righteous living, catalyzed by the proclamation of the Gospel. It’s a transition from being morally and spiritually unaware to full consciousness of truth and purity.
• "and from the power of Satan to God": This emphasizes a radical change of spiritual allegiance and authority. Humanity is inherently under the domain of Satan's power, leading to sin and death. This phrase describes deliverance from that spiritual enslavement and placement under the sovereign and loving authority of God. This challenges every idolatrous or self-worshipping belief system.
• "so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance": These are the direct results of the spiritual transformation. Forgiveness cleanses the past, while inheritance secures the future. This dual benefit speaks to reconciliation with God (pardoned) and adoption into His family (heir). This promise offers both relief from condemnation and assurance of eternal blessings.
• "among those who are sanctified by faith in Me": This clarifies the community and the means. The inheritance is shared within a holy community, the Church, set apart by God. Crucially, all these benefits—illumination, conversion, freedom, forgiveness, and inheritance—are solely appropriated through personal trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It points to Christ as the central figure and the mechanism for accessing God’s salvation.

Acts 26 18 Bonus section

The specific inclusion of "by faith in Me" (Christ) at the very end is climactic. It decisively centers the entire plan of salvation on the person of Jesus Christ, affirming His divine identity and unique role as the means of receiving all these benefits. It distinguishes Christian salvation from any other religious path requiring works or rituals. Paul, the former legalistic Pharisee, would come to deeply understand and articulate this doctrine of justification by faith, embodying this commission in his own life and ministry. Furthermore, the term "sanctified" (ἡγιασμένοις) highlights both an initial act of being set apart for God's purposes (positional sanctification at conversion) and the ongoing process of growing in holiness as a Christian (progressive sanctification), which all believers participate in. The profound contrast presented ("darkness to light," "power of Satan to God") underscores the radical, comprehensive, and supernatural nature of the spiritual transformation offered through the gospel.

Acts 26 18 Commentary

Acts 26:18 stands as a profound summary of the gospel's transformative power and the comprehensive scope of Paul's apostolic calling. It describes salvation as a four-fold transition:

1. From spiritual blindness to seeing God's truth: The message brings revelation, moving from ignorance to understanding.
2. From the realm of darkness to the realm of light: This is a shift from sin and evil to holiness and righteousness, an ethical and existential change.
3. From the power of Satan to the power of God: This is a decisive break from demonic authority and entry into God's liberating sovereignty.
4. Resulting in forgiveness of sins and an eternal inheritance: This covers both absolution from past wrongs and the promise of future glory as children of God, integrated into a holy community.

Crucially, this entire journey and its accompanying blessings are made accessible solely by faith in Jesus Christ. Paul's ministry was to serve as the instrument of this divine work, calling people to turn from everything contrary to God and embrace His gracious offer of salvation. The verse powerfully encapsulates the essence of New Testament conversion and Christian hope. For instance, in modern terms, this verse is a foundational text for understanding missions and evangelism: it calls for actively sharing the truth (opening eyes) to facilitate a spiritual paradigm shift, leading to liberation, reconciliation, and eternal purpose.