Acts 9 16

Acts 9:16 kjv

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Acts 9:16 nkjv

For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."

Acts 9:16 niv

I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

Acts 9:16 esv

For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."

Acts 9:16 nlt

And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake."

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 16 Meaning

Acts 9:16 is a divine revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ to Ananias concerning Saul (who would become Paul). It signifies God's clear purpose for Saul's future, revealing that Saul's conversion and call to ministry would be irrevocably tied to extensive suffering for the sake of Christ's name. This suffering is not a punishment for his past persecution but an intrinsic, foreordained part of his privileged apostolic service, confirming his genuine discipleship and testifying to Christ's power.

Acts 9 16 Context

Acts 9:16 occurs during a pivotal moment in the early Christian movement. Immediately following the dramatic conversion of Saul on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-9), the Lord appears in a vision to Ananias, a devout believer in Damascus. Ananias is instructed to go to Saul, lay hands on him, and restore his sight. Understandably hesitant, given Saul's notorious reputation as a fierce persecutor of Christians (Acts 9:13-14), Ananias voices his fear. It is in response to Ananias's trepidation that the Lord powerfully declares Saul's divine commission: "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to carry My name before Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake" (Acts 9:15-16). This verse serves as a crucial explanation, not only reassuring Ananias but also immediately revealing the nature of Saul's future apostleship: one defined not by worldly success or comfort, but by widespread proclamation of Christ's name and significant hardship. It sets the tone for Paul's subsequent ministry, which is extensively documented throughout Acts and his epistles as a life filled with profound and varied sufferings endured for Christ.

Acts 9 16 Word analysis

• For: This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the Lord's earlier statement in Acts 9:15 ("Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine..."). It clarifies why Saul, the persecutor, is being chosen for such a significant ministry.
• I will show: (Greek: δείξω, deixō) This verb signifies making something known, pointing out, or revealing. It indicates divine initiative and an active disclosure from the Lord. It implies a direct, personal experience of suffering, not merely an intellectual understanding, which Paul would later embody.
• him: Refers specifically to Saul of Tarsus, the very individual who had been mercilessly persecuting followers of Jesus. This direct address underscores the divine turnaround in Saul's life.
• how much: (Greek: ὅσα, hosa) This pronoun suggests not just the intensity but also the extent and variety of sufferings. It points to a multitude of experiences, foreshadowing the vast inventory of Paul's afflictions detailed in his epistles (e.g., 2 Cor 11:23-27).
• he must: (Greek: δεῖ, dei) This impersonal verb conveys divine necessity, obligation, or absolute imperative. It signifies that Saul's suffering is not accidental, a consequence of poor choices, or punitive, but rather a divinely appointed, predetermined part of his calling and ministry. It is inevitable as per God's sovereign plan for him.
• suffer: (Greek: παθεῖν, pathein) To endure hardship, pain, or affliction. This term encompasses physical hardships, emotional distress, persecution, imprisonment, and any form of adversity encountered in the service of Christ.
• for My name's sake: (Greek: τοῦ ὀνόματός μου ἕνεκεν, tou onomatos mou heneken) This phrase defines the purpose and motivation of Saul's suffering. "My name" refers to the person, authority, character, and mission of Jesus Christ. Suffering "for My name's sake" means enduring hardship due to allegiance to Jesus, proclaiming Him, representing Him, and being identified with Him. It's not suffering generally, but specifically for the cause of Christ, demonstrating utter devotion and fidelity to Him. It's a hallmark of true Christian witness.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "For I will show him how much": This phrase establishes God's direct involvement in revealing the extensive nature of Paul's future challenges. It is a clear prophetic declaration, underlining divine foreknowledge and purpose for Saul.
  • "he must suffer": This critical phrase highlights the divinely ordained and non-negotiable aspect of Paul's suffering. It is a core component of his destiny as Christ's chosen instrument, marking his ministry as one requiring sacrificial endurance.
  • "for My name's sake": This crucial phrase reveals the honorable and redemptive purpose behind Paul's tribulations. His suffering would be directly tied to advancing the Gospel, exalting Christ's authority, and bearing witness to Him, elevating his suffering to a sacred duty and privilege, distinct from mere misfortune or punishment.

Acts 9 16 Bonus section

The foretelling of Saul's suffering by Christ served multiple purposes. Firstly, it prepared Ananias for the radical shift in Saul's identity, from persecutor to persecuted. It demonstrated the comprehensive nature of Saul's call—not only to preach the Gospel but also to exemplify its cost. Secondly, for Saul himself (indirectly, as it's spoken to Ananias about him), this pronouncement meant his future suffering would not be seen as a sign of God's displeasure, but as a confirmation of his divine mission. Suffering "for My name's sake" transformed the worldly stigma of hardship into a mark of honor and fidelity to Christ. This divine perspective on suffering challenges the notion that ease and prosperity are the sole signs of God's favor, instead revealing that deep spiritual impact and identification with Christ often walk hand-in-hand with tribulation. It authenticates the depth of his transformation and the genuineness of his calling to carry Christ's name before a hostile world.

Acts 9 16 Commentary

Acts 9:16 is a profound statement by the Lord about the future of His newly called apostle, Saul of Tarsus. It immediately sets the expectation that suffering is an intrinsic and essential component of true discipleship and, particularly, of apostolic ministry for Christ. The emphasis on "how much he must suffer" indicates that Paul's tribulations would be significant and varied, a truth vividly documented throughout his epistles. The divine necessity conveyed by "he must suffer" emphasizes that this path was not accidental or optional but a predetermined part of God's sovereign plan for Saul's life and calling. This was a direct reversal of his former life; the one who inflicted suffering upon Christ's followers would now endure suffering for Christ. Most importantly, this suffering is explicitly "for My name's sake," meaning it is for the person, glory, and cause of Jesus Christ. It authenticates Paul's apostleship, solidifies his identification with the crucified Christ, and transforms his afflictions into a powerful witness to the truth of the Gospel. It underscores the privilege, not punishment, of sharing in Christ's sufferings as a sign of genuine faith and costly obedience.