Acts 28 30

Acts 28:30 kjv

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

Acts 28:30 nkjv

Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,

Acts 28:30 niv

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.

Acts 28:30 esv

He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him,

Acts 28:30 nlt

For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him,

Acts 28 verses

Acts 28 30 Meaning

Acts 28:30 describes Paul's two-year stay in Rome under house arrest, where he had the freedom to live in his own rented dwelling and receive everyone who came to him. This verse highlights his continued ministry in the heart of the Roman Empire, despite his confinement, emphasizing the unhindered proclamation of the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles who sought him out. It marks the conclusion of Luke's narrative in the book of Acts, demonstrating that even in chains, the Word of God was not bound, but rather flourished.

Acts 28 30 Context

Acts chapter 28 concludes the narrative of Paul's journey to Rome and his subsequent ministry there. After surviving a shipwreck and an incident with a viper on Malta, Paul and his companions eventually arrive in Rome under the supervision of a Roman centurion. Upon arrival, Paul, as a Roman citizen and appealing to Caesar, is granted a relatively lenient form of house arrest rather than direct imprisonment. Verses 17-29 describe his initial interactions with the Jewish leaders in Rome, to whom he explains his innocence and the nature of his hope in Christ. While some believed, others remained unconvinced. This set the stage for verse 30, which succinctly describes the two-year period during which Paul had an open door for ministry from his rented dwelling, freely receiving anyone who sought him out, without any external restrictions placed on his evangelistic efforts, as detailed in verse 31. Historically, this period likely refers to Paul's first Roman imprisonment, awaiting trial before Caesar. It was during this time that he is believed to have written several of his "prison epistles" (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon). The ending of Acts, with Paul freely proclaiming the Kingdom of God, emphasizes the unstoppable advance of the Gospel even in the capital of the Gentile world.

Acts 28 30 Word analysis

• He lived there: This refers to the Apostle Paul, the central figure of the latter half of Acts. The Greek emeinen (ἔμεινεν), meaning "he remained" or "he stayed," signifies his fixed abode and continuous presence in that location, not just a fleeting visit. It suggests a settled, albeit confined, existence.
• two whole years: The Greek dietian holēn (διετίαν ὅλην) literally means "two-year whole," emphasizing the complete duration of this period. This specific timeframe, crucial to Luke's narrative closure, highlights a significant and extended period of unhindered Gospel proclamation in Rome. The precise length signals Luke's intention to show this as a definitive, God-ordained period.
• in his own rented house: The Greek idiō misthōmati (ἰδίῳ μισθώματι) signifies "his own hired dwelling" or "his own rented lodging." This implies that Paul, or his supporters, covered the cost, not the Roman state. This type of "house arrest" (custodia libera or custodia militaris) was a common form of detention for Roman citizens awaiting trial, offering more freedom than a public prison. It allowed Paul to maintain an open household, distinguishing it from severe incarceration. The phrase "his own" emphasizes personal occupancy and the space being under his direct control, unlike a typical cell.
• and welcomed: The Greek apedekheto (ἀπεδέχετο) is a strong term for receiving with hospitality, cordially, or readily. The imperfect tense indicates a continuous action over the two years, highlighting Paul's consistent and open-door policy. It reflects his ministry not as a passive recipient, but an active, hospitable evangelist. It implies eagerness to meet visitors, not mere allowance.
• all who came to him: The Greek pantas tous erkhomenous pros auton (πάντας τοὺς ἐρχομένους πρὸς αὐτόν) signifies universality. This refers to anyone, regardless of their background—Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, high-ranking or low. It shows the non-discriminatory nature of Paul's outreach and the accessibility of the Gospel message through his person. It suggests a constant flow of visitors, indicative of his growing influence and reputation in the city.

Words-group analysis:

• "He lived there two whole years in his own rented house": This phrase encapsulates Paul's unique status during this period. Not in a dungeon, but a "rented house" which implies relative comfort and autonomy, yet it was still a form of imprisonment for "two whole years." This arrangement demonstrates God's sovereign control over even adverse circumstances, turning what could have been a hindrance into an opportunity for an extended, accessible ministry. The long duration signifies an intentional phase of Gospel penetration into the imperial capital.
• "and welcomed all who came to him": This part emphasizes the proactive nature of Paul's ministry despite being under arrest. He was not merely confined but was actively receiving, teaching, and engaging with people. The phrase "all who came" highlights the inclusive and universal nature of the Gospel, reaching both Jewish and Gentile inquirers and converts in the heart of Rome. It demonstrates that the flow of God's grace and truth could not be contained by human bonds.

Acts 28 30 Bonus section

This verse, followed by Acts 28:31, creates the deliberate literary conclusion to the Book of Acts. The lack of a dramatic ending (Paul's trial, release, or execution) suggests that Luke's primary intent was not to provide a biographical account of Paul's ultimate fate, but rather to showcase the unhindered advance of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8), culminating in Rome. The words "unhindered" or "unmolested" (used in Acts 28:31 for "boldly and without hindrance") are crucial to understanding the spirit of this conclusion. Paul's relative freedom under house arrest allowed him to write what are known as his "Prison Epistles" (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon), which provided rich theological instruction and encouragement to the early church, proving that even captivity could be fertile ground for divine revelation and mission. The continued ability to "welcome all" speaks to the radical hospitality foundational to early Christian witness.

Acts 28 30 Commentary

Acts 28:30 serves as a pivotal concluding statement in Luke's narrative, powerfully encapsulating Paul's sustained and unhindered ministry in the very heart of the Roman Empire. Paul's two-year stay under a form of lenient house arrest—funded by himself or supporters—provided him a consistent platform for Gospel proclamation. The significant duration of "two whole years" underscores an extended period where Paul freely "welcomed all" who sought him, regardless of background. This open-door policy allowed for broad engagement with Roman society, establishing a Christian presence and community right within the imperial capital, a critical development for the global spread of the faith. Luke's abrupt ending here, with Paul in Rome freely proclaiming Christ, is often interpreted as a deliberate literary choice to emphasize the unstoppable, divine momentum of the Gospel message. Neither Paul's chains nor human opposition could constrain God's Word, which continued to advance, ultimately reaching the Gentiles.