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acts 7:53

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Acts 7:53

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

Scripture focus

Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept [it].

Acts 7:53 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 7:53

Theological / Devotional

Who have received. An emphatic form, “Ye who received.”

By the disposition of angels. More literally, “as ordinances of angels.” It was Christ, the Son of God, who gave the law on Mt. Sinai (see on Ex. 20:2). He was also the Angel of the covenant (see on Ex. 23:20). But a host of angels were with the Lord on Mt. Sinai (cf. on Deut. 33:2; Ps. 68:17; Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2). The LXX of Deut. 33:2 reads, “on his right hand angels were with him,” and Josephus (Antiquities xv. 5. 3) presents the same idea.

Have not kept it. Rather, “Ye did not keep it.” This is said in dramatic contrast with the earlier phrase “received the law,” and must have dealt a telling blow to those who heard it. They had kept neither the letter of the law nor its intent. The law, given by angels, could have been their glory; its perversion was precipitating their shame and destruction.

By SdaBc