Acts 5 39

Acts 5:39 kjv

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

Acts 5:39 nkjv

but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it?lest you even be found to fight against God."

Acts 5:39 niv

But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

Acts 5:39 esv

but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!" So they took his advice,

Acts 5:39 nlt

But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!"

Acts 5 verses

Acts 5 39 Meaning

Acts 5:39 contains the prudent counsel of Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and teacher of the law, given to the Sanhedrin regarding the apostles. The verse states that if the new Christian movement's origin is from God, human opposition cannot dismantle it, and by attempting to do so, they would effectively be found fighting against God Himself. It conveys the principle that God's plans and true divine works are invulnerable to human interference, and that to oppose such a work is to oppose the Almighty, a perilous endeavor.

Acts 5 39 Context

Acts chapter 5 describes the continued growth of the early Christian community, marked by the apostles performing many signs and wonders. This success, however, led to their arrest by the high priest and the Sadducees, who were filled with jealousy. An angel miraculously freed the apostles from prison, and they immediately resumed teaching in the temple courts. When recaptured and brought before the Sanhedrin, Peter and the apostles boldly declared, "We must obey God rather than men!" (Acts 5:29), reiterating their divine mandate. The Sanhedrin was infuriated and debated killing them. At this critical juncture, Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and a teacher of the Law, intervened, advising a cautious approach. Acts 5:39 forms the concluding and most critical part of Gamaliel's counsel, highlighting the divine test by which the movement's true origin would be revealed: its endurance or collapse over time.

Acts 5 39 Word analysis

• but: Greek: de (δὲ). A conjunction indicating a strong contrast or opposition to the previous thought—namely, the counsel to destroy the apostles. It shifts the discussion to an alternative, more prudent, consideration.
• if: Greek: ei (εἰ). A conditional particle introducing a real possibility or hypothetical premise. Gamaliel employs this to encourage the Sanhedrin to consider both outcomes without immediately judging.
• it is from God: Greek: ek Theou estin (ἐκ Θεοῦ ἐστιν).
  • ek (ἐκ): A preposition meaning "from, out of," signifying origin or source. The movement's essence and power are rooted in God.
  • Theou (Θεοῦ): Genitive form of Theos, meaning God. Emphasizes the divine source of power and authority behind the apostles' ministry. If God is the ultimate initiator, human efforts against it are futile.
• you will not be able to overthrow them: Greek: ou dynēsasthe katalysai autous (οὐ δυνήσεσθε καταλῦσαι αὐτούς).
  • ou (οὐ): A strong negative particle, rendering the action absolutely impossible.
  • dynēsasthe (δυνήσεσθε): From dynamai (δύναμαι), "to be able, to have power." Here in the future tense, indicating a future inability.
  • katalysai (καταλῦσαι): From katalyō (καταλύω), "to dissolve, to demolish, to destroy, to pull down completely, to overthrow." It suggests utterly dismantling or rendering ineffective.
  • autous (αὐτούς): The masculine plural pronoun "them," referring to the apostles or, more broadly, their work, teachings, and the emerging Christian community. It highlights the impossibility of human efforts annihilating a divinely established work.
• you might even be found fighting against God: Greek: mēpote kai theomachoi eurethēte (μήποτε καὶ θεομάχοι εὑρεθῆτε).
  • mēpote (μήποτε): An emphatic particle combining mē (not) and pote (ever), used to express a strong negative possibility or a fear that something might happen – "lest perhaps," "perchance." It conveys a warning of grave potential danger.
  • kai (καὶ): "Even, also." Intensifies the warning, suggesting this unforeseen outcome is also possible and even more severe.
  • theomachoi (θεομάχοι): A unique and potent compound noun, meaning "God-fighters" or "those who fight against God." This term powerfully encapsulates the spiritual audacity and danger of their proposed action. It signifies direct opposition to the divine will and authority.
  • eurethēte (εὑρεθῆτε): From heuriskō (εὑρίσκω), "to find, discover, be found." In the aorist subjunctive, it implies that they would "be revealed" or "be discovered" to be God-fighters. This implies not just acting against God, but having this truth revealed to them, possibly by God Himself, leading to consequences.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "but if it is from God": This phrase introduces a pivotal hypothesis. It's a statement of potential divine origin, laying the groundwork for the ensuing logical consequence. Gamaliel invites careful consideration, not dismissive condemnation. The ek points to the deep-seated source and fundamental nature of the movement.
• "you will not be able to overthrow them": This declares the inherent invincibility of God's work. Human power is utterly impotent against divine will and action. It sets a clear boundary: where God acts, humanity cannot succeed in counteracting.
• "lest you even be found fighting against God": This constitutes a solemn and terrifying warning. It's not merely that they won't succeed, but that their very attempt could render them divine adversaries. The use of theomachoi elevates the consequence from earthly failure to direct blasphemy or rebellion against the Almighty. It's a caution against unwitting rebellion.

Acts 5 39 Bonus section

• Gamaliel's Stature: Gamaliel was not just any Pharisee; he was a highly esteemed teacher of the Law (Acts 22:3) and likely the grandson of Hillel, one of the greatest rabbis in Jewish history. His reputation as a moderate and respected legal authority (Luke 2:46) gave his advice significant weight within the Sanhedrin, allowing him to sway an assembly otherwise intent on violent reprisal. His prudence protected the early Church during a crucial period of vulnerability.
• Divine Providence: This verse beautifully illustrates the concept of divine providence. God, in His sovereign plan, can use various instruments—even cautious non-believers—to protect His people and further His purposes. Gamaliel's counsel was not explicitly Christian, but it effectively served God's immediate plan for the Church's survival.
• Implication for Discernment: While Gamaliel's advice became a proverb for judging movements by their long-term fruit, it's not the sole or immediate criterion for discerning truth. The New Testament also emphasizes evaluating teaching by its conformity to apostolic doctrine (e.g., Gal 1:8), consistency with Scripture, and moral fruits (Matt 7:15-20), rather than simply "waiting it out" for decades. However, the endurance aspect is indeed a confirming sign of divine involvement.
• The Theomachoi (God-Fighter) Term: This rare and powerful word highlights the ultimate and most dangerous consequence. It suggests not just opposition, but an adversarial posture that puts a human in direct conflict with the divine will, inevitably leading to ruin for the human party.

Acts 5 39 Commentary

Acts 5:39 represents a pinnacle of pragmatic wisdom within a hostile Sanhedrin. Gamaliel's counsel is rooted in a discerning understanding of God's sovereignty: true divine works possess an intrinsic, unassailable endurance, while human constructs inevitably fade. His argument provides a test for truth that extends beyond his immediate context. The survival and expansion of the Christian faith despite relentless persecution, precisely against the wishes of the very council Gamaliel addressed, served as historical validation of his inspired, if perhaps unconverted, sagacity. The stark warning "lest you even be found fighting against God" served not just as a deterrent against murder, but a profound theological principle that to oppose God's genuine work is to face Him as an opponent, inviting devastating spiritual consequences. It also illustrates the principle that divine intervention often occurs through indirect means, even through the prudent counsel of individuals outside the immediate circle of believers. This advice effectively spared the apostles and allowed the nascent church to continue its vital work unhindered by summary execution.

Examples:

• Historically, oppressive regimes (e.g., Roman Empire, Soviet Union) have tried to eradicate Christianity but failed, illustrating the "not able to overthrow them" principle.
• Any person who actively and intentionally persecutes Christians today, believing they are stamping out a "human movement," risks finding themselves directly opposing God's enduring Kingdom, paralleling Saul's experience (Acts 9:4-5).