Acts 13

[John81]

What is the understanding of this verse?

 

Acts 13:48

King James Version (KJV)

⁴⁸ 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.

 

[Standing Firm In Christ]

arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot):--addict, appoint, determine, ordain, set

In Acts 13:48, I believe the word "ordained" is speaking of determination. Those that determined to attain unto eternal life.believed

[John81]

arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot):--addict, appoint, determine, ordain, set

In Acts 13:48, I believe the word "ordained" is speaking of determination. Those that determined to attain unto eternal life.believed

Then why doesn't it say "determined"?

 

I'm certainly not saying you are wrong, but reading that as if it means determined doesn't seem to fit. I'll mull over it some more.

 

Thank you!

[Standing Firm In Christ]

Then why doesn't it say "determined"?

 

I'm certainly not saying you are wrong, but reading that as if it means determined doesn't seem to fit. I'll mull over it some more.

 

Thank you!

I believe that at the time the KJB was translated from the originals, the word "ordained" may have meant "determined."

Just as in Matthew 25:46 the word "punishment" meant "torment" or "pain".  All other versions prior to 1611 translated "kolassis" as torment or pain.

I will check my previous versions to see what they have for Acts 13:48.  Give me a few...

[Standing Firm In Christ]

OK, here are all the versions prior to 1611.  It appears all use the word "ordained" or some variation of the spelling of the word.

Wycliffe; 1395
Acts 13:48 - And hethen men herden, `and ioieden, and glorifieden the word of the Lord; and bileueden, as manye as weren bifore ordeyned to euerlastinge lijf. 

Tyndale; 1525
Acts 13:48 - The getyls hearde and were glad and glorified the worde of ye Lorde and beleved: eve as many as were ordeyned vnto eternall lyfe.

Coverdale; 1535
Acts 13:48 - Whan the Gentyles herde that, they were glad, and praysed the worde of the LORDE, and beleued, eue as many as were ordeyned to euerlastinge life.

Bishops; 1568
Acts 13:48 - And when the Gentiles hearde this, they were glad, and glorified the worde of the Lorde, and as many as were ordayned to eternall lyfe, beleued.

Geneva; 1587
Acts 13:48 - And when the Gentiles heard it, they were glad, and glorified the woorde of the Lorde: and as many as were ordeined vnto eternall life, beleeued.

[ASongOfDegrees]

 

What is the understanding of this verse?

 

Acts 13:48

King James Version (KJV)

⁴⁸ 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.

 

Maybe you should ask yourself when did the ordaining occur? Those weened on Calvinism will automatically think that the ordaining occurred in eternity past but nothing in the verse suggests this or says it has to be so. 

[Standing Firm In Christ]

LInda found a good explanation.  She will be posting it shortly.  Pretty much agrees with my interpretation of "determination."

[LindaR]

From the Way of Life Encyclopedia: ELECT

 

Acts 13:48 "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." The Calvinist interprets this verse in light of his theology and says that God's election has nothing to do with man's response to the Gospel, yet this ignores the immediate context of the verse. Just prior to this, in verse 46, Paul had stated why the Jews did not believe. It was not because they were not chosen of God to believe. It was because they themselves put it from them. They themselves rejected the truth. It was not God's will that they do so. It was not because they had been foreordained to eternal damnation. They were given light by Christ (John 1:9) and they were being drawn by Christ (John 12:32) and they were being convicted by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8), but they rejected all of this and for that reason they were rejected of God.

[Bro K]

 

What is the understanding of this verse?

 

Acts 13:48

King James Version (KJV)

⁴⁸ 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.

 

They believed the word of the Lord that they had just heard; because they had been ordained to eternal life through their acceptance of Christ as their Savior.

Sometime when verses are presented in two parts; it easier to understand when the latter part is put before the first part.

[Standing Firm In Christ]

From "Calvin's Camels" by David Cloud...

Acts 13:48 -- “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.”

If this verse stood alone in the book of Acts, the Calvinist interpretation (that God sovereignly pre-determines that some will be saved and then irresistibly saves them) would be acceptable, but the verse does not stand alone.

The context, in fact, refutes Calvinist theology:

In Acts 13:43 we see that sinners can be persuaded to continue in the gospel. “Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.” Thus there is more to salvation than Sovereign Election and Sovereign Calling. The will of man is involved in the issue and the effort of soul winners has an effect upon the outcome. This is why Paul said, “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, THAT I MIGHT BY ALL MEANS SAVE SOME” (1 Cor. 9:22), and, “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, THAT I MIGHT GAIN THE MORE” (1 Cor. 9:19).

In Acts 13:46 we see that the gospel is offered to sinners and they can reject it. “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.” These Jews were not sovereignly chosen to reprobation. God offered them salvation and would have saved them, but they, by an exercise of their wills, put it away.

In Acts 13:47 we see that the gospel is intended for all men. “For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.” This cannot be limited merely to some pre-elected group of men. The gospel is to be preached to every creature (Mk. 16:15) and God would have all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4).

What, then, does Acts 13:48 mean? “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.”

It means simply that as many whose hearts were predisposed to accept the gospel, as many as were willing to call upon the name of the Lord (Rom. 10:13), believed.

The Greek word translated “ordained” here is “tasso” and it means “to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. assign or dispose” (Strong). It is used eight times in the New Testament. Twice it is translated “ordain” (Acts 13:48; Rom. 13:1). Elsewhere it is translated “addict” (1 Cor. 16:15), “appoint” (Mat. 28:16; Acts 22:10; 28:23), “determine” (Acts 15:2), and “set” (Lk. 7:8).

There are two questions that must be answered here. First, how many sinners are ordained to eternal life? Second, why are men ordained to eternal life?

The answer to the first question is that God would have all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4). The Calvinist answer, that God has only sovereignly elected a few to be saved, is not Scriptural.

The answer to the second question is that men are ordained to eternal life by believing the gospel and calling upon the name of Christ (Mk. 16:16; Lk. 8:50; Jn. 1:12; 3:13-18; 3:36; 5:24; 6:35; 6:40; 6:47; 8:24; 11:25; 12:36; 12:46; 20:31; Acts 8:36-37; 10:43; 13:39; 16:31; Rom. 1:16; 3:22; 4:5; 10:18-13; 1 Cor. 1:21; Gal. 3:22; 1 Tim. 1:16; 1 Jn. 5:13). This is the order that is given consistently throughout the New Testament -- believe and be saved.

“The Jews here had voluntarily rejected the word of God. On the other side were those Gentiles who gladly accepted what the Jews had rejected, not all the Gentiles. Why these Gentiles here ranged themselves on God’s side as opposed to the Jews Luke does not tell us. This verse does not solve the vexed problem of divine sovereignty and human free agency. There is no evidence that Luke had in mind an absolutum decretum of personal salvation. Paul had shown that God’s plan extended to and included Gentiles. Certainly the Spirit of God does move upon the human heart to which some respond, as here, while others push him away” (Robertson’s Word Pictures).

[John81]

Maybe you should ask yourself when did the ordaining occur? Those weened on Calvinism will automatically think that the ordaining occurred in eternity past but nothing in the verse suggests this or says it has to be so. 

That question is part of the reason I'm wondering how to understand this. Mainly because of the order and wording "were ordained to eternal life believed".

 

Does this mean those who believed were already ordained to believe? (if so, just what does that mean?)

If not, then what does it actually mean that they "were ordained", which seems to be past tense (if not, please inform)?

 

I'm reading and studying through Acts right now and for some reason this verse just jumped right out at me today and has me pondering just how to understand it.

[John81]

From the Way of Life Encyclopedia: ELECT

 

Acts 13:48 "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." The Calvinist interprets this verse in light of his theology and says that God's election has nothing to do with man's response to the Gospel, yet this ignores the immediate context of the verse. Just prior to this, in verse 46, Paul had stated why the Jews did not believe. It was not because they were not chosen of God to believe. It was because they themselves put it from them. They themselves rejected the truth. It was not God's will that they do so. It was not because they had been foreordained to eternal damnation. They were given light by Christ (John 1:9) and they were being drawn by Christ (John 12:32) and they were being convicted by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8), but they rejected all of this and for that reason they were rejected of God.

I agree with regards to what came before this verse but I'm not seeing how this particular quote really or fully addresses the verse in question. Up to verse 48 my understanding was/is in line with what's put forth here, but again, I don't see how that answers the understanding of verse 48.

 

I'll ponder this as well and here in a bit I'll go read through the entire chapter yet again with this and the other points that have been put forth here in mind.

[John81]

They believed the word of the Lord that they had just heard; because they had been ordained to eternal life through their acceptance of Christ as their Savior.

Sometime when verses are presented in two parts; it easier to understand when the latter part is put before the first part.

Somehow this almost sounds odd enough for me to understand!

 

As I'm sitting here thinking of this it's almost making my brain itch!

 

So, are you saying that for some reason this portion of the verse "were ordained to eternal life believed" is in reverse order; meaning that they believed which ordained them to eternal life? Seeing this in writing now I'm rather confused as to why, if it means that, it's not written in that way.

 

If you can elaborate on this or put it into different wording I'll definitely give this more thought.

 

What I'm having trouble grasping is the order of everything in the verse, which from what proceeds it seems it's about to say one thing, but to me, as it's worded, seems to be saying something different, but I know it all goes together so it has to be saying the same thing.

[John81]

From "Calvin's Camels" by David Cloud...

Acts 13:48 -- “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.”

If this verse stood alone in the book of Acts, the Calvinist interpretation (that God sovereignly pre-determines that some will be saved and then irresistibly saves them) would be acceptable, but the verse does not stand alone.

The context, in fact, refutes Calvinist theology:

In Acts 13:43 we see that sinners can be persuaded to continue in the gospel. “Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.” Thus there is more to salvation than Sovereign Election and Sovereign Calling. The will of man is involved in the issue and the effort of soul winners has an effect upon the outcome. This is why Paul said, “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, THAT I MIGHT BY ALL MEANS SAVE SOME” (1 Cor. 9:22), and, “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, THAT I MIGHT GAIN THE MORE” (1 Cor. 9:19).

In Acts 13:46 we see that the gospel is offered to sinners and they can reject it. “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.” These Jews were not sovereignly chosen to reprobation. God offered them salvation and would have saved them, but they, by an exercise of their wills, put it away.

In Acts 13:47 we see that the gospel is intended for all men. “For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.” This cannot be limited merely to some pre-elected group of men. The gospel is to be preached to every creature (Mk. 16:15) and God would have all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4).

What, then, does Acts 13:48 mean? “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.”

It means simply that as many whose hearts were predisposed to accept the gospel, as many as were willing to call upon the name of the Lord (Rom. 10:13), believed.

The Greek word translated “ordained” here is “tasso” and it means “to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. assign or dispose” (Strong). It is used eight times in the New Testament. Twice it is translated “ordain” (Acts 13:48; Rom. 13:1). Elsewhere it is translated “addict” (1 Cor. 16:15), “appoint” (Mat. 28:16; Acts 22:10; 28:23), “determine” (Acts 15:2), and “set” (Lk. 7:8).

There are two questions that must be answered here. First, how many sinners are ordained to eternal life? Second, why are men ordained to eternal life?

The answer to the first question is that God would have all men to be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4). The Calvinist answer, that God has only sovereignly elected a few to be saved, is not Scriptural.

The answer to the second question is that men are ordained to eternal life by believing the gospel and calling upon the name of Christ (Mk. 16:16; Lk. 8:50; Jn. 1:12; 3:13-18; 3:36; 5:24; 6:35; 6:40; 6:47; 8:24; 11:25; 12:36; 12:46; 20:31; Acts 8:36-37; 10:43; 13:39; 16:31; Rom. 1:16; 3:22; 4:5; 10:18-13; 1 Cor. 1:21; Gal. 3:22; 1 Tim. 1:16; 1 Jn. 5:13). This is the order that is given consistently throughout the New Testament -- believe and be saved.

“The Jews here had voluntarily rejected the word of God. On the other side were those Gentiles who gladly accepted what the Jews had rejected, not all the Gentiles. Why these Gentiles here ranged themselves on God’s side as opposed to the Jews Luke does not tell us. This verse does not solve the vexed problem of divine sovereignty and human free agency. There is no evidence that Luke had in mind an absolutum decretum of personal salvation. Paul had shown that God’s plan extended to and included Gentiles. Certainly the Spirit of God does move upon the human heart to which some respond, as here, while others push him away” (Robertson’s Word Pictures).

While I wasn't thinking of Calvinism, having read a few posts in this thread I can see how the verse could touch upon such.

 

In any event, I agree with most of what's said here but I'm still not seeing how that answers the wording of verse 48.

 

Even in the portion aimed at refuting Calvinism it was said verse 48 means "whose hearts were predisposed to accept the gospel", which to me, if one is "predisposed", that's the same as them being "ordained" or "predetermined". I know the authors position isn't that so I'm really wondering why he said "predisposed"?

 

I'm also not sure about the look to the Greek aspect because it seems most often when folks do so, they simply choose their preferred meaning of the Greek word and reject the rest. If possible, I'd prefer to stick with English, but I won't rule out considerations of the Greek.

 

What is the simple, true meaning of the verse? That's the question in my mind. I'm not thinking at all about what a "Calvinist" or "Arminian" or "none-of-the-above" viewpoint might be; just what exactly does this verse mean.

 

I REALLY appreciate all the input thus far and I THANK YOU for your patience with my attempt to make sense of this verse!!!

[TheSword]

 

What is the understanding of this verse?

 

Acts 13:48

King James Version (KJV)

⁴⁸ 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.

 

 

After some preliminary analysis, I think it boils down to a syntax and word order issue that is hard to understand because today's English is so degraded compared to the KJV. The literal rendering from Greek reads:

 

Hearing this the nations (Gentiles) rejoiced (were glad) and glorified the word of the Lord and believed they as many as were ordained into life

 

The thing to key in on here is the joining of ideas with "and" (Greek kai). Whenever kai is used to join multiple ideas like this it expresses there interconnectivity and common action. The subject of the sentence (Gentiles) is doing all of the actions joined by kai:

 

The Gentiles heard AND

The Gentiles rejoiced AND

The Gentiles glorified AND

The Gentiles believed

 

What follows is a change in subject-verb agreement where the action moves from one in which the Gentiles do to themselves to one in which an action is performed on them (i.e. they were ordained to eternal life)

 

They key expression is "as many as" which syntactically points back to the ones doing the action (the Gentiles) and expresses similarity or equality as in "the same Gentiles mentioned earlier who heard, rejoiced, glorified, and believed."

 

Now, the semantic range for the English "ordained" is: to invest with ministerial or sacerdotal functions, to enact or establish by law, to decree, to give orders for, to destine, to predestine.

 

The semanntic range for the Greek translated "ordained" is: to put in order, to station, to place in a certain order, to arrange, to assign a place, to appoint, to order. In the KJV it is translated ordain (2), appoint (3), determine (1), addict (1). All other instances in Acts are translated appoint (2) and determine (1).

 

The overall context suggests that the overlap in semantic range means this instance of "ordain" should be understood as a form of appointment to which "decree/enact" or "destine/predestine" align. However, as this action syntactically occurs as a result of all the previously connected actions any understanding of predestination must begin at this point in time and not from eternity past (as a Calvinist would argue).

 

So...hopefully that didn't muddy up the water too much. Basically it puts "ordained" as dependent upon and chronologically after the previous action of "believed". Additionally, this ordination is best understood as moving those that believed from the state of non-life to a state of life whether that is through an instantaneous appointment/decree or an eventual destiny/predestination.