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Acts 13:46

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Acts 13:46

Verse 46 of 52

Scripture focus

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:46 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 13:46

Theological / Devotional

Waxed bold. See Acts 9:27, 29 ; 13:9-11.

First ... to you. Christ came first to His own (John 1:11), so His messengers declared good news first to Jews. Gospel preaching order was “to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile” (Rom. 2:10). Preaching to Jews aimed for their becoming means by which “all nations” would be blessed (Gen. 22:18). They rejected this privilege, so the message went to Gentiles.

Unworthy. Paul’s words have irony. Jews thought themselves worthy of God’s highest blessings; apostles brought them eternal life through Christ. But their exclusiveness and pride led to rejection, showing themselves “unworthy.” Their refusal passed judgment on themselves.

To the Gentiles. Echoes Paul’s vision in the Jerusalem Temple after conversion (Acts 22:21). Believing Gentiles heard with joy; Jews with envy.

By SdaBc