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Acts 13:48

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 13:48

Verse 48 of 52

Scripture focus

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

Acts 13:48 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 13:48

Theological / Devotional

They were glad. In contrast to envious Jews, Gentiles gladly believed.

Word of the Lord. Teaching about the Lord Jesus (v. 44).

Were ordained. Greek tasso, “to enroll,” “appoint,” “arrange.” Interpretation is disputed. KJV supports divine decrees determining destinies. Greek may mean “appointed themselves” or “set themselves.” Egyptian papyri illustrate this reflexive use.

This fits context: Jews proved unworthy of eternal life (v. 46), while Gentiles manifested desire to be worthy. The two groups ranged themselves like opposing troops, ordered by God on different sides. Gentiles ordered themselves unto eternal life. The text does not indicate God ordained individuals irrevocably. See John 3:16-18; Rom. 8:29.

By SdaBc