Acts 13:46

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.

Then {G1161} Paul {G3972} and {G2532} Barnabas {G921} waxed bold {G3955}, and said {G2036}, It was {G2258} necessary {G316} that the word {G3056} of God {G2316} should {G2980} first {G4412} have been spoken {G2980} to you {G5213}: but {G1161} seeing {G1894} ye put {G683} it {G846} from you {G683}, and {G2532} judge {G2919} yourselves {G1438} unworthy {G3756}{G514} of everlasting {G166} life {G2222}, lo {G2400}, we turn {G4762} to {G1519} the Gentiles {G1484}.

However, Sha’ul and Bar-Nabba answered boldly: “It was necessary that God’s word be spoken first to you. But since you are rejecting it and are judging yourselves unworthy of eternal life — why, we’re turning to the Goyim!

Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.

And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:46 marks a significant turning point in the early Christian mission, as Paul and Barnabas declare their intention to shift their focus from the Jewish community to the Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch.

Context

This verse follows a period of successful ministry in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch, where Paul had delivered a powerful sermon tracing salvation history from Abraham to Jesus (Acts 13:16-41). Initially, many Jews and devout proselytes responded positively to the message of salvation through Jesus (Acts 13:43). However, on the following Sabbath, when nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of God, some Jews, filled with envy, contradicted Paul and Barnabas and blasphemed (Acts 13:45). This declaration in verse 46 is the apostles' firm response to that opposition.

Key Themes

  • Divine Priority and Human Rejection: Paul and Barnabas affirm that it was God's ordained plan for the gospel to be "first spoken to you" (the Jews). This aligns with the principle seen elsewhere, such as Romans 1:16, where Paul states the gospel is "to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." However, their rejection of the message, by "put[ting] it from you, and judg[ing] yourselves unworthy of everlasting life," highlights the serious consequence of refusing God's gracious offer of salvation.
  • Turning to the Gentiles: This verse is a pivotal moment, signaling a major strategic shift in the early church's missionary efforts. While the gospel had already reached some Gentiles (e.g., Cornelius in Acts 10), this is a formal, apostolic declaration of intent to prioritize Gentile evangelism in response to Jewish rejection. This pattern of turning to the Gentiles would be repeated by Paul in other cities (Acts 18:6, Acts 28:28).
  • Boldness in Proclamation: The phrase "waxed bold" (Greek: parrēsiazō) signifies that Paul and Barnabas spoke with courage, freedom, and conviction, despite the intense opposition. This boldness is a recurring theme in Acts, as believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the truth (Acts 4:29, Ephesians 6:19).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "waxed bold" comes from the Greek word parrēsiazō (παρρησιάζομαι), which conveys the idea of speaking openly, fearlessly, and with full confidence, often in public or before hostile audiences. It emphasizes the apostles' Spirit-empowered courage in delivering a difficult truth.

Practical Application

Acts 13:46 reminds us of several important truths:

  • The Seriousness of Rejection: God offers salvation freely, but human beings have the responsibility to respond. To "judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life" is a sobering warning about the consequences of neglecting or actively rejecting the gospel.
  • God's Universal Mission: Despite specific priorities, God's love and plan of salvation extend to all people, regardless of ethnicity or background. The turn to the Gentiles underscores the inclusive nature of the Christian faith and the global mandate of the church.
  • Courage in Proclamation: Believers are called to speak the truth of God's Word with boldness, even when faced with opposition or indifference. The Spirit empowers us to share the message of Christ with conviction.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 28:28

    Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and [that] they will hear it.

  • Acts 26:20

    But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and [then] to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

  • Matthew 21:43

    Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

  • Acts 18:5

    And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews [that] Jesus [was] Christ.

  • Acts 18:6

    And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook [his] raiment, and said unto them, Your blood [be] upon your own heads; I [am] clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

  • Acts 3:26

    Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

  • Romans 2:10

    But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

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