Acts 14:15

KJV

And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} saying {G3004}, Sirs {G435}, why {G5101} do ye {G4160} these things {G5130}? We {G2249} also {G2532} are {G2070} men {G444} of like passions {G3663} with you {G5213}, and preach {G2097} unto you {G5209} that ye should turn {G1994} from {G575} these {G5023} vanities {G3152} unto {G1909} the living {G2198} God {G2316}, which {G3739} made {G4160} heaven {G3772}, and {G2532} earth {G1093}, and {G2532} the sea {G2281}, and {G2532} all things {G3956} that are therein {G1722}{G846}:

Complete Jewish Bible

“Men! Why are you doing this? We’re just men, human like you! We are announcing Good News to you — turn from these worthless things to the living God who made heaven and earth and the sea and everything in them!

Berean Standard Bible

“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.

American Standard Version

and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Acts 14:15, the Apostles Paul and Barnabas vehemently reject the idolatrous worship offered to them by the people of Lystra. Following a miraculous healing, the pagan populace mistook them for gods, prompting the apostles to humbly declare their shared humanity and passionately redirect attention from themselves to the one true "living God." They proclaim Him as the sovereign Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, urging the Lystrans to turn from their futile "vanities" to worship the only worthy divine being.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct and urgent response from Paul and Barnabas to the dramatic events unfolding in Lystra. Immediately preceding this, Paul had miraculously healed a man who had been lame from birth, a powerful sign that astonished the local inhabitants ([Acts 14:8-10](/acts/14-8-10 "Acts 14:8-10 - Healing of the Lame Man")). The crowd, deeply ingrained in pagan mythology, interpreted this miracle through their polytheistic worldview, concluding that the gods had descended in human form. They identified Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes, the messenger god, and began preparing to offer sacrifices to them. This verse captures Paul and Barnabas's horrified reaction and their immediate, emphatic intervention to prevent this act of idolatry, setting the stage for their subsequent preaching.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Lystra was a city in Lycaonia, a region in south-central Asia Minor. Its inhabitants were largely unreached by the gospel and deeply steeped in Greco-Roman paganism. The local mythology included stories of Zeus and Hermes visiting the region in disguise, which likely fueled their immediate assumption about Paul and Barnabas. The priests of Zeus, with oxen and garlands, were ready to perform a full pagan sacrifice, highlighting the deeply embedded nature of polytheistic worship in their daily lives. The apostles' message was therefore delivered into a cultural milieu where the concept of a single, invisible, living God, distinct from creation and demanding exclusive worship, was radically new and challenging to their established religious practices and worldview.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 14:15 powerfully articulates several foundational themes. Firstly, it underscores the **rejection of idolatry and self-exaltation**. Paul and Barnabas immediately dismantle any notion of their own divinity, demonstrating profound humility and a clear understanding that all glory belongs to God alone. This stands in stark contrast to the human tendency to deify leaders or worship created things. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **humanity of the messengers**. By stating, "We also are men of like passions with you," they highlight their shared human frailty and dependence on God, ensuring that the focus remains on the divine source of power, not the human instruments. This theme resonates with the broader biblical principle that God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes, as seen in the call of prophets like [Moses](/exodus/3 "Exodus 3 - The Burning Bush") and apostles like [Peter](/acts/3-12 "Acts 3:12 - Peter's Sermon after Healing"). Finally, the core message is a **call to the Living God, the Creator**. The apostles urge the Lystrans to "turn from these vanities" – referring to their empty idols and futile religious practices – "unto the living God," who is powerfully identified as the ultimate Creator of "heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein." This declaration of God as Creator is a foundational truth of biblical faith, echoing themes found in [Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - God Creates Heaven and Earth") and [Nehemiah 9:6](/nehemiah/9-6 "Nehemiah 9:6 - God as Creator and Preserver").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **men of like passions (Greek, _homoiopathḗs'_):** From G3663, meaning "similarly affected" or "having the same susceptibilities." This word emphasizes the shared human nature of Paul and Barnabas with the Lystrans. It conveys that the apostles were not divine beings but fragile mortals, subject to the same human experiences, limitations, and even sufferings as their audience. This serves to deflate the crowd's misconception and redirect their worship.
* **turn (Greek, _epistréphō'_):** From G1994, meaning "to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)." In this context, it signifies a decisive change of direction, a spiritual conversion. It implies abandoning their former idolatrous practices and beliefs to embrace a new relationship with the one true God. This is a call to repentance, a fundamental aspect of the gospel message.
* **vanities (Greek, _mátaios'_):** From G3152, describing things that are "empty, i.e. (literally) profitless, or (specially), an idol." This term powerfully characterizes the Lystrans' pagan gods and religious practices as futile, worthless, and devoid of any real power or benefit. It contrasts sharply with the "living God," highlighting the spiritual barrenness of worshipping anything other than the true Creator.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things?"**: Paul and Barnabas's immediate and urgent plea to the crowd. The term "Sirs" (G435, _anēr_) is a respectful address to men, but the tone is one of shock and dismay, as they recognize the profound error of the Lystrans' intentions. Their question is rhetorical, expressing their abhorrence at the impending idolatry.
* **"We also are men of like passions with you"**: This is a direct and humble declaration of their shared humanity. They are not gods but ordinary men, susceptible to the same human experiences and limitations as the Lystrans. This statement directly refutes the crowd's assumption of their divinity and emphasizes the source of power for the miracle was not their own.
* **"and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities"**: This clause encapsulates the core of their missionary message. They are not there to receive worship but to call the Lystrans to repentance. "Turn" (G1994, _epistréphō_) signifies a radical change of allegiance and worldview, moving away from their current spiritual emptiness. "Vanities" (G3152, _mátaios_) refers to their idols and futile religious practices, which are empty and profitless.
* **"unto the living God"**: This is the positive command following the negative one. They are to turn *to* the true object of worship. "Living God" (G2198, _záō_ + G2316, _theós_) stands in stark contrast to the lifeless idols they had been serving. This God is active, powerful, and real.
* **"which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:"**: This final clause provides the foundational reason for worshipping the "living God." He is identified as the sovereign Creator of the entire cosmos. This comprehensive description ("heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein") leaves no part of creation outside His dominion, establishing His absolute authority and uniqueness as the sole worthy object of worship.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several impactful **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Contrast**, setting the "vanities" of pagan worship against the reality of the "living God." This stark opposition highlights the futility of idols versus the power of the Creator. **Rhetorical Question** ("why do ye these things?") is used by Paul and Barnabas not to seek information, but to express their strong disapproval and to prompt the Lystrans to reconsider their actions. The phrase "men of like passions" functions as a form of **Understatement** or **Humility**, as it downplays their miraculous abilities to emphasize their shared humanity, thereby deflecting worship. Finally, the detailed description of God as the one "which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein" is an example of **Merism**, using two contrasting or complementary parts (heaven, earth, sea) to represent a whole (the entire universe), emphasizing God's comprehensive creative power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 14:15 is a pivotal text for understanding early Christian missionary theology, particularly concerning evangelism to Gentiles. It establishes a clear theological framework: the absolute rejection of idolatry, the humility of God's messengers, and the proclamation of the one true Creator God as the sole object of worship. This message directly confronts the polytheistic worldview, asserting God's unique sovereignty over all creation and His active, living nature in contrast to dead idols. It underscores that genuine conversion involves a decisive turning *from* false worship *to* the living and true God, emphasizing repentance and faith in the Creator as foundational to salvation.

* [1 Thessalonians 1:9](/1_thessalonians/1-9 "1 Thessalonians 1:9 - Turning from Idols to Serve the Living God")
* [Romans 1:25](/romans/1-25 "Romans 1:25 - Worshiping the Creature Rather Than the Creator")
* [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalms/115-4-7 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Futility of Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 14:15 offers profound lessons for believers today, reminding us of our identity and mission. Firstly, it serves as a powerful call to humility for anyone involved in ministry or leadership. Any good work, any effective communication, or any spiritual impact we might have is solely by God's power working through us. We must constantly deflect praise from ourselves and direct all glory to Christ, resisting the subtle or overt temptations to seek personal recognition or build personal platforms. Our role is to be faithful conduits, not the source. Secondly, the passage reinforces the exclusive nature of true worship. In a world saturated with "vanities"—anything that promises fulfillment apart from God, be it material wealth, social status, fleeting pleasures, or even intellectual pursuits—we are called to discern and turn away from these empty pursuits. Only the living God, the Creator of all things, is worthy of our complete adoration, devotion, and trust. This means actively dismantling idols in our own hearts and boldly proclaiming His sovereignty in a culture that often worships creation rather than the Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly seeking praise or recognition for myself, rather than directing all glory to God?**
* **What "vanities" in my life or in the broader culture am I called to turn away from in order to more fully worship the living God?**
* **How can I more effectively and humbly point people to Christ as the ultimate source of truth and life, rather than to my own abilities or achievements?**
* **What does it mean practically to worship the "living God" who "made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein" in my daily life?**

### FAQ

**What does "men of like passions" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "men of like passions" (Greek, _homoiopathḗs_) means that Paul and Barnabas shared the same human nature, frailties, and experiences as the people of Lystra. It was a humble declaration to correct the Lystrans' mistaken belief that the apostles were divine beings. They were emphasizing their mortality and susceptibility to human emotions and limitations, thereby deflecting the worship being offered to them and pointing to God as the true source of power for the miracle that had occurred. This concept is echoed in [James 5:17](/james/5-17 "James 5:17 - Elijah, a Man Like Us"), where Elijah is described as a man "subject to like passions as we are."

**Why did Paul and Barnabas react so strongly to being worshipped?**

Answer: Paul and Barnabas reacted with immediate and strong rejection because accepting worship would have been a profound act of idolatry, a direct violation of the First Commandment ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - No Other Gods Before Me")). As devout Jews and apostles of Christ, they understood that worship is due to God alone. Accepting it would have blasphemed God, undermined their message of turning from idols, and potentially led the Lystrans further astray. Their reaction demonstrates their deep commitment to God's glory and their clear understanding of their role as servants, not deities.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 14:15, while explicitly rejecting the deification of Paul and Barnabas, implicitly points to the true God-man, Jesus Christ, who alone is worthy of worship. The apostles' insistence on their shared humanity ("We also are men of like passions with you") contrasts sharply with the unique nature of Jesus, who, though fully human, was also fully divine ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humility and Divinity")). While Paul and Barnabas vehemently deny being the Creator, Jesus Christ is revealed in the New Testament as the active agent of creation, the very one through whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator")). The call to "turn from these vanities unto the living God" finds its ultimate fulfillment in turning to Jesus, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")), and through whom alone we can truly know and worship the Father ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God Except the Son")). Thus, this passage, by redirecting worship from mere men to the Creator God, lays the groundwork for understanding Jesus as the incarnate Creator and the sole mediator through whom humanity can truly worship the Living God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 10:26

But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

1 Corinthians 8:4

¶ As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one.

James 5:17

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

1 Samuel 12:21

And turn ye not aside: for [then should ye go] after vain [things], which cannot profit nor deliver; for they [are] vain.

Revelation 14:7

Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Genesis 1:1

¶ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Psalms 146:5

¶ Happy [is he] that [hath] the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope [is] in the LORD his God: