Acts 28 31

Acts 28:31 kjv

Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Acts 28:31 nkjv

preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

Acts 28:31 niv

He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ?with all boldness and without hindrance!

Acts 28:31 esv

proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Acts 28:31 nlt

boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.

Acts 28 verses

Acts 28 31 Meaning

Acts 28:31 concisely describes the enduring and impactful ministry of the Apostle Paul, even while under house arrest in Rome. It states that for two full years, he continued to fearlessly and without hindrance preach about the Kingdom of God and teach all who came to him about the Lord Jesus Christ. This verse serves as the powerful and open-ended conclusion to the book of Acts, emphasizing the unstoppable nature of the Gospel message despite human confinement.

Acts 28 31 Context

Acts chapter 28 recounts the final leg of Paul’s journey to Rome, marked by a harrowing shipwreck and a stay on the island of Malta. Upon arrival in Rome, Paul, as a Roman citizen awaiting trial before Caesar, was permitted to live under house arrest with a soldier guarding him. This verse serves as the definitive concluding statement for the entire book of Acts, summarizing Paul's activity during his two years in Rome. Despite being in chains, he had unrestricted access to visitors who came to his rented lodging. The book effectively ends with the Gospel being proclaimed boldly and without hindrance at the heart of the Roman Empire, showcasing the unstoppable advance of God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.

Acts 28 31 Word analysis

• preaching (κnρúσσω - keryssō): This verb signifies "to herald," "to proclaim publicly and formally." It implies an authoritative announcement, a public declaration of an important message. Paul was not simply discussing, but boldly proclaiming divine truth as an official messenger.

• the kingdom of God (βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ - basileia tou theou): Refers to God's sovereign reign and rule, both in the present spiritual sense within the hearts of believers and in its future eschatological fulfillment. This encompasses God's plan for humanity and creation, inaugurated by Jesus Christ.

• and teaching (διδάσκω - didaskō): While "preaching" announces, "teaching" instructs, explains, and expounds doctrine. It implies an orderly, systematic communication of truth, going beyond initial proclamation to deeper understanding. This dual action shows Paul provided both evangelism and discipleship.

• concerning the Lord Jesus Christ (κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστός - Kyrios Iēsous Christos):

  • Lord (κύριος - Kyrios): A title of ultimate authority, denoting deity and absolute sovereignty. Proclaiming Jesus as "Lord" was a fundamental declaration of His divine status, directly challenging the Roman emperor's claim to ultimate "Lordship."
  • Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): The personal name of the historical person, emphasizing His humanity and His identity as the Savior.
  • Christ (Χριστός - Christos): The Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah," meaning "Anointed One." This title affirms Jesus' messianic office and His role as the fulfiller of Old Testament prophecies. The combination establishes His full identity and saving work.

• with all (μετὰ πάσης - meta pasēs): Signifies "with all" or "full" or "complete" and applies to the following word. It emphasizes the absolute totality, fullness, and unrestrained nature of Paul's actions. He held nothing back.

• unhinderedness / boldness (παρρησία - parrēsia): This crucial term means freedom of speech, confidence, frankness, boldness, or courage. In the context of Acts, it often denotes speaking God's word without fear, despite opposition or persecution. Here, despite being under house arrest and facing severe charges, Paul’s ministry was "without hindrance" by any authority. The word's freedom prevailed over human chains.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ": This pairing encapsulates the essence of the apostolic message. The Kingdom defines God's reign and overall redemptive plan, while Jesus Christ is the central figure, the King through whom the Kingdom comes and is fully revealed. This demonstrates the inseparable connection between the Kingdom and Christ himself.
  • "with all unhinderedness": This phrase powerfully concludes the book, indicating that no human or spiritual opposition, not even imprisonment in the heart of the Roman Empire, could stop the advance of God’s Word. It highlights divine sovereignty over all obstacles. The very word "unhinderedness" functions as a triumphant crescendo to the narrative of Acts.

Acts 28 31 Bonus section

The open-ended ending of Acts 28:31 is highly intentional and contributes to the book's profound message. Unlike other ancient narratives that typically provide a clear resolution or summary, Acts concludes abruptly, without an explicit statement about Paul's trial outcome, or his eventual death. This deliberate non-ending communicates several key truths:

1. The Unstoppable March of the Gospel: It emphasizes that the story of the spreading Gospel did not end with Paul's ministry in Rome, nor with the conclusion of the written book, but continues on through the ongoing ministry of the Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
2. Luke's Apologetic Purpose: Luke's goal was to demonstrate to his Roman readers (possibly Theophilus, mentioned in Luke 1:3) that Christianity was not a threat to Roman authority. He highlights that despite various arrests, Paul consistently taught about Jesus, not revolution. Roman officials (e.g., Felix, Festus, and even the centurion Julius) found no actual crime against him that warranted capital punishment. This final verse reaffirms that even in Rome itself, Paul was permitted to operate freely within his bounds, indicating no state-sanctioned opposition.
3. Divine Sovereignty: The verse is a testament to God's ultimate control. Paul's chains did not hinder the Word of God; instead, his imprisonment paradoxically became a means for the Gospel to penetrate the Praetorian Guard and potentially influence those in imperial service, as Philippians 1:13 suggests. This serves as a constant reminder that God's plan will prevail regardless of human opposition.

Acts 28 31 Commentary

Acts 28:31 is far more than just the end of a biography; it's a profound theological statement. Luke strategically concludes his two-volume work (Luke-Acts) by emphasizing the triumph of the Gospel despite adversity. Paul, the spearhead of Gentile evangelism, reaches Rome, the very heart of the Roman Empire. This signifies the fulfillment of Jesus' command in Acts 1:8 for the Gospel to spread "to the end of the earth." Even though Paul is physically constrained, "bound with chains" as he later writes (2 Tim 2:9), the word of God itself is "not bound."

The "preaching of the kingdom of God" establishes God's ultimate reign and purposes, while "teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ" provides the specific person and means through which this Kingdom is inaugurated and experienced. These are two sides of the same glorious truth. The choice of "Lord" for Jesus (Kyrios) is profoundly significant, especially in Rome where Caesar was acclaimed as "Lord"; it posits Christ's supremacy above all earthly rulers.

The "unhinderedness" (parresia) is central to Acts' theology. It is the boldness inspired by the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31) that allowed the apostles to proclaim truth in the face of threats. Luke stresses that despite official opposition, false accusations, and imprisonment, the Roman authorities themselves often unwittingly facilitated the spread of the Gospel, failing to truly suppress it. The fact that Paul's ministry continued unhindered for two years within imperial reach underscores the divine protection and irresistible power of God's plan. This ending is open-ended, suggesting that the "acts of the apostles" (and the church) continue beyond Luke's narrative into all subsequent generations.

• Example for Practical Usage: This verse powerfully illustrates that outward circumstances do not dictate the effectiveness of spiritual ministry. A believer might face restrictions, financial hardship, or even illness, but the capacity to share God's truth or live out Christian witness "without hindrance" in their spirit remains. It reminds us that our primary call is to faithfully proclaim Christ and His Kingdom, trusting God to work through any situation.