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Acts 20:21

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 20:21

Verse 21 of 38

Scripture focus

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:21 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 20:21

Theological / Devotional

Testifying. That is, bearing witness, by teaching, exhorting, and challenging to a better life. The same word is translated “charge” and “charging” in 1 Tim. 5:21; 2 Tim. 2:14; that is, strongly urging or solemnly entreating.

Jews, and ... Greeks. Paul always approached his Jewish brethren first with the gospel (see Acts 13:5, 14; 14:1; 17:1, 2; 18:4; 19:8; cf. Rom. 1:16 ; 2:9, 10; 3:1, 2).

Repentance. Gr. metanoia (see on Matt. 3:2 for a definition of the verb from which this noun is derived).

Toward God. Rather, “unto God.” Repentance is “unto God” because (1) sin is always an offense primarily against God; (2) though man can manifest a forgiving spirit, only God can pardon, through Jesus Christ the Sin Bearer (2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24), and on the basis of sincere acknowledgement of guilt.

Faith. Acceptance of the atoning grace of Jesus Christ, “whom having not seen” we “love” (1 Peter 1:8), can only be by faith (see on Rom. 4:3). Indeed, “whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23). The peace that the sinner has with God through Jesus Christ comes by faith (Rom. 5:1, 2). “Without faith it is impossible to please” God (Heb. 11:6).

By SdaBc