Acts 8:21 kjv
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Acts 8:21 nkjv
You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.
Acts 8:21 niv
You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.
Acts 8:21 esv
You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
Acts 8:21 nlt
You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God.
Acts 8 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 51:10 | Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. | Plea for a righteous heart. |
| Prov 4:23 | Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. | Importance of guarding one's heart. |
| Jer 17:9-10 | The heart is deceitful above all things...I the Lord search the heart. | God's knowledge of the human heart. |
| Eze 36:26 | A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you. | God promises heart transformation. |
| Matt 15:18-19 | But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart... | Evil proceeds from an impure heart. |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | ...for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. | God judges the heart, not just appearance. |
| Col 1:12 | Giving thanks...who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance... | Believers have a spiritual inheritance. |
| Eph 1:11 | In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated... | Inheritance for those in Christ. |
| Acts 20:32 | ...to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. | Inheritance promised to the sanctified. |
| Num 18:20 | Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them... | Echoes "no part nor lot" regarding earthly share. |
| Deut 10:9 | Therefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the Lord is his inheritance... | God as the Levites' inheritance; no earthly share. |
| Matt 6:2-4 | When therefore thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet...thy Father which seeth in secret... | Warning against seeking human recognition, focus on true motives. |
| Matt 7:21-23 | Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom... | Emphasizes actions and true submission, not just words. |
| Matt 23:27-28 | Ye are like unto whited sepulchres...full of hypocrisy and iniquity. | Denounces external piety masking internal corruption. |
| Luke 16:15 | ...God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination... | God's judgment of heart motivations contrasts human esteem. |
| Acts 2:38 | Repent, and be baptized...for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. | Proper means to receive the Holy Spirit – repentance and faith. |
| John 14:16-17 | He shall give you another Comforter...even the Spirit of truth... | The Holy Spirit is a divine gift, not bought. |
| Rom 3:24 | Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. | Salvation and grace are freely given. |
| Isa 55:1 | Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters...without money and without price. | God's spiritual blessings are free. |
| Rev 22:17 | And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. | Life's ultimate blessing is offered without cost. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is quick...a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. | God's word discerns the deepest intentions. |
| 1 Tim 6:10 | For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted... | Warning against love of money as a corrupting motive. |
Acts 8 verses
Acts 8 21 Meaning
Peter unequivocally declares to Simon that he possesses no true spiritual share or inheritance in the divine work of God because his inner motivations and character are fundamentally corrupt and unaligned with God's truth, a condition plainly visible to God. His heart, the core of his being, is not righteous in God's divine discernment, rendering any claim to God's spiritual gifts invalid.
Acts 8 21 Context
This verse immediately follows Simon the Sorcerer's attempt to purchase the power to impart the Holy Spirit from the apostles Peter and John (Acts 8:18-19). Simon, previously a respected sorcerer in Samaria, had outwardly "believed" and was baptized after witnessing Philip's miracles and ministry. However, when Peter and John arrived, bringing the distinct impartation of the Holy Spirit to the Samaritan believers, Simon, seeing the power to confer the Spirit by the laying on of hands, offered them money for this ability. Acts 8:21 is Peter's cutting and spiritual diagnosis of Simon's true inner state, exposing the corruption of his heart. The broader historical and cultural context includes the prevalence of magical practices and the commodification of spiritual power in the ancient world, against which this divine rebuke stands as a strong polemic. It emphasizes that divine power and spiritual gifts cannot be bought or sold like secular merchandise but are bestowed by God through genuine faith.
Acts 8 21 Word analysis
- Thou hast neither part (μερίς - meris): Greek "meris" denotes a share, portion, or inherited right. It is used often for spiritual inheritance or a divinely appointed allotment among God's covenant people. Peter states Simon has no genuine stake or ownership in the spiritual blessings and covenant of God.
- nor lot (κλῆρος - klēros): Greek "klēros" means a "lot" (as cast) or the "portion" received by lot, thus signifying an inheritance or sacred share. This term, paired with "meris," forms a strong legal and spiritual phrase, emphasizing Simon's complete lack of authentic connection, privilege, or membership in the Kingdom of God's spiritual realm. It suggests divine non-allotment.
- in this matter (λόγος - logos): Greek "logos" here means "word," "matter," "business," or "transaction." It refers to the divine operation of the Holy Spirit, the power of God manifested through the apostles, specifically the ability to impart the Holy Spirit. Simon has no true participation or involvement in this divine work.
- for thy heart (καρδία - kardia): Greek "kardia" is the innermost core of a person—the seat of intellect, emotions, will, moral choices, and spiritual life. It is the real "you," hidden from human view but transparent to God. Peter targets Simon's deep-seated motivations, not just his outward actions.
- is not right (οὐκ ἔστιν εὐθεῖα - ouk estin eutheia): "Eutheia" means "straight," "level," "direct," and metaphorically "righteous," "honest," or "sincere." Peter states Simon's heart is twisted, not morally aligned with God's truth, and full of ulterior motives. It denotes a fundamental spiritual crookedness or perversion of purpose.
- in the sight of God (ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ - enopion tou Theou): This phrase stresses that God, as the ultimate Judge and Knower, fully perceives Simon's corrupt inner state. It emphasizes divine scrutiny and that Simon's motives, though possibly hidden from humans, are exposed and unacceptable before God.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Thou hast neither part nor lot": This idiomatic biblical expression (reminiscent of OT phrases like "no part or inheritance" in land, e.g., Num 18:20) signifies a complete exclusion from the spiritual benefits, privileges, and blessings of God's covenant people. Simon has no spiritual ownership, claim, or stake in the Kingdom of God's work.
- "in this matter": Specifies that Simon's exclusion pertains to the sacred ministry and power of God, especially the free gift and impartation of the Holy Spirit, which he sought to manipulate and acquire.
- "for thy heart is not right": This is the core diagnosis. Simon's central problem is not an external failing, but an internal spiritual deficiency. His heart's motives, desires, and orientation are fundamentally flawed, rooted in selfishness, personal ambition, and an absence of genuine, God-honoring devotion. This phrase is a powerful indictment of insincere faith.
- "in the sight of God": Underscores divine omniscience and judgment. Simon's insincerity is not hidden. God, who alone scrutinizes the deepest parts of human beings, clearly sees and condemns the unrighteousness within Simon's heart, rendering his outward displays of "belief" meaningless.
Acts 8 21 Bonus section
- This specific incident directly gives its name to "simony," which historically refers to the sin of buying or selling spiritual offices or sacred things within the Church.
- Peter's profound spiritual insight into Simon's heart demonstrates the Holy Spirit's power operating through the apostles to discern true from false faith, similar to his discernment with Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5.
- The concepts of "part" and "lot" evoke the Old Testament covenant inheritance, highlighting that genuine spiritual identity and privilege are divinely given, not merited or purchased.
- This verse clarifies that outward adherence to Christian rituals (like baptism) does not automatically guarantee inward spiritual transformation or access to spiritual authority if the heart remains unregenerate.
Acts 8 21 Commentary
Acts 8:21 is a pivotal verse exposing the dangerous disconnect between external religious observance and internal spiritual reality. Simon's "belief" and baptism were superficial, never reaching the transforming depth of true repentance and faith. Peter's profound discernment unmasks Simon's desire to leverage divine power for personal prestige and profit, revealing a heart still governed by the world's ambitions rather than consecrated to God. The stark declaration that Simon has "neither part nor lot" signifies his utter spiritual estrangement from God's genuine work and blessings. This is not about the Spirit being withheld, but about a heart unprepared to receive Him for God's purposes. The verse emphasizes that salvation and spiritual gifts are free, divine endowments, contingent not on payment or external acts, but on a righteous, sincere, and humble heart that truly seeks God in His purity. It forever warns against the sin of simony and the perils of engaging with God for selfish gain.