Acts 16:31

KJV

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they said {G2036}, Believe {G4100} on {G1909} the Lord {G2962} Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}, and {G2532} thou {G4771} shalt be saved {G4982}, and {G2532} thy {G4675} house {G3624}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They said, “Trust in the Lord Yeshua, and you will be saved — you and your household!”

Berean Standard Bible

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”

American Standard Version

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 16:31 delivers a profound and succinct declaration of the path to salvation, spoken by the Apostles Paul and Silas to a desperate Roman jailer in Philippi. This verse encapsulates the core of the gospel message, emphasizing that eternal life and spiritual deliverance are received through personal faith in Jesus Christ, with the promise of this redemptive opportunity extending to one's entire household. It stands as a foundational statement on the simplicity and accessibility of God's saving grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse emerges from a dramatic narrative in Philippi, a significant city in Macedonia and a Roman colony. Paul and Silas, having been unjustly flogged and imprisoned for casting out a spirit of divination from a slave girl, were singing hymns and praying in their cell at midnight. Suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the prison, opening all the doors and loosening everyone's chains. The jailer, waking to this chaos and fearing the escape of his prisoners—which would have meant his own execution under Roman law—was about to commit suicide. Paul, demonstrating remarkable selflessness and divine restraint, cried out, assuring him that all the prisoners were still present. Overwhelmed by this astonishing turn of events and the prisoners' integrity, the jailer, trembling, brought Paul and Silas out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:31 is their direct and powerful answer to this existential question, immediately preceding their further instruction to him and his household.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Philippi was a Roman colony, meaning its citizens enjoyed privileges akin to those in Rome itself, and Roman law was strictly enforced. A jailer's life was forfeit if prisoners escaped on his watch, making his despair and suicidal intent entirely understandable within that cultural framework. The earthquake, perceived as a divine intervention, would have profoundly impacted a Roman, who might have been accustomed to a pantheon of gods but was now confronted with the power of the God of Paul and Silas. The concept of "salvation" for a Roman might initially have been understood in terms of physical deliverance or political safety, but the jailer's question, especially in light of the apostles' spiritual demeanor, indicates a deeper, perhaps spiritual, yearning. The idea of a "household" (Latin: *familia*) was central to Roman society, encompassing not just immediate family but also servants and dependents, all under the authority of the paterfamilias. The inclusion of the household in the promise would have resonated deeply with the jailer's societal understanding.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 16:31 powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of Acts and Christian theology. Foremost is the theme of **Salvation by Faith**, unequivocally stating that belief in Jesus Christ is the sole means of deliverance, contrasting sharply with any notion of salvation through works or ritual, a principle echoed throughout Paul's epistles (e.g., [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). Another significant theme is the **Simplicity and Accessibility of the Gospel**, demonstrating that the profound truth of salvation can be communicated directly and simply, available to anyone, regardless of their background or previous understanding, as seen in the immediate conversion of the jailer and his family. Finally, the phrase "and thy house" introduces the theme of **Household Salvation**, highlighting God's desire for entire families to come to faith and the ripple effect of one person's conversion, a pattern evident from Old Testament narratives like [Noah's family being saved](/genesis/7-1 "Genesis 7:1 - Noah and His Household Enter the Ark") to other New Testament conversions such as [Cornelius's household](/acts/10-44-48 "Acts 10:44-48 - The Holy Spirit Falls on Cornelius's Household").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From G4100, meaning "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)." This is not merely intellectual assent to facts about Jesus, but a profound, active, and personal trust and reliance upon Him. It implies a commitment of one's entire being to Christ as the object of faith, leading to a transformative relationship.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** From G2962, meaning "supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)." When applied to Jesus, it signifies His divine sovereignty and authority. To believe on "the Lord Jesus Christ" means acknowledging His rightful place as Master and God, not just a good teacher or prophet. This confession of His lordship is integral to saving faith.
* **Saved (Greek, _sṓzō'_):** From G4982, meaning "to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively); heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole." In this context, it primarily refers to spiritual salvation—deliverance from sin, its penalty, and its power, leading to eternal life and reconciliation with God. It encompasses holistic well-being, both spiritually and eternally.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they said":** This phrase immediately connects the declaration to the preceding urgent question of the jailer, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" It underscores that the apostles' response is direct, authoritative, and divinely inspired, providing the definitive answer to the most crucial question of human existence.
* **"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ":** This is the core command and the central condition for salvation. "Believe" (pisteúō) implies a comprehensive act of faith: intellectual assent to the truth about Jesus, emotional trust in His person and work, and volitional commitment to Him as Lord. The object of this faith is "the Lord Jesus Christ," emphasizing His divine identity ("Lord"), His humanity and historical person ("Jesus"), and His messianic office ("Christ").
* **"and thou shalt be saved":** This is the direct, unconditional promise attached to the act of belief. "Saved" (sṓzō) here signifies deliverance from eternal condemnation, reconciliation with God, and the gift of eternal life. It is a declarative statement of the immediate and certain outcome for the individual who places their faith in Jesus.
* **"and thy house":** This significant addition extends the scope of the promise beyond the individual jailer. It does not imply automatic salvation for every member of his household regardless of their personal faith, but rather indicates that the opportunity for salvation, the blessings of the gospel, and the responsibility to share the message also extend to his entire family unit. It suggests that God desires the salvation of whole households, and that the jailer's conversion would open the door for his family to hear and respond to the same gospel message.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 16:31 is a masterclass in **Conciseness** and **Directness**. The apostles' response cuts through any complexity, providing a clear, unambiguous path to salvation. It functions as a powerful **Declarative Statement**, asserting a truth with absolute authority and certainty. The use of **Parallelism** in "thou shalt be saved, and thy house" highlights the dual scope of the promise—individual and familial. The verse also employs **Imperative Mood** ("Believe") followed by **Indicative Mood** ("shalt be saved"), illustrating the divine sequence of human response leading to divine action. Furthermore, the entire interaction serves as a dramatic **Turning Point** in the narrative, marking the transition from the jailer's despair to his newfound hope and faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 16:31 stands as a cornerstone of evangelical theology, articulating the fundamental principle of salvation by grace through faith alone. It underscores that human effort, ritual, or lineage are insufficient for eternal life; rather, it is a gift received solely through a personal, trusting reliance on the person and finished work of Jesus Christ. This verse highlights God's universal offer of salvation, making it accessible to all who believe, regardless of their past. The inclusion of "thy house" reflects God's redemptive plan often operating through family units, extending the opportunity for spiritual transformation to entire households, emphasizing the responsibility of the believing head of the household to share the gospel with those under their care, and God's desire for their salvation.

* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")
* [Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confession and Belief Lead to Salvation")
* [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and the Gift of Eternal Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 16:31 offers profound assurance and a clear mandate for believers today. For those grappling with questions of purpose, forgiveness, or eternity, this verse provides a direct and comforting answer: salvation is found in trusting Jesus. It simplifies the often-complex theological discussions around salvation into an accessible truth, making it a powerful tool for evangelism. When sharing faith, we can confidently present this core message, knowing its divine efficacy. Furthermore, the inclusion of "thy house" serves as a powerful encouragement for believers to pray for, witness to, and disciple their families. While salvation is always a personal decision, this verse reminds us of God's heart for entire households to come to know Him, placing a joyful responsibility on believers to be spiritual ambassadors within their own homes. It encourages us to live out our faith authentically, demonstrating the transformative power of Christ to those closest to us, trusting that God desires their salvation as well.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" practically mean for your daily life and decisions?**
* **How does the simplicity of this salvation message impact your approach to sharing the gospel with others?**
* **In what ways are you actively praying for and seeking the salvation of your own "house" or those closest to you?**
* **How does the immediate and certain promise of "thou shalt be saved" provide comfort and assurance in your own faith journey?**

### FAQ
**Does "and thy house" mean that if one person believes, their entire family is automatically saved?**

Answer: No, the phrase "and thy house" does not imply automatic salvation for family members regardless of their personal faith. Salvation is always a personal decision, requiring individual belief and repentance, as seen clearly in the command "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." Rather, "and thy house" signifies that the opportunity for salvation and the blessings of the gospel extend to the entire family unit. It indicates that the jailer's conversion opened the door for his household to hear the gospel message, and that God desires the salvation of whole families. This is reinforced by the subsequent verses in [Acts 16:32-34](/acts/16-32-34 "Acts 16:32-34 - Paul and Silas Speak to the Household"), which describe Paul and Silas speaking the word of the Lord to all in his house, and then the entire household believing and being baptized. It highlights God's desire to save families and places a responsibility on the believing individual to share the good news with those in their home.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 16:31 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is not merely the object of our faith, but the very means and embodiment of salvation itself. When Paul and Silas command the jailer to "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," they are pointing him to the one true God-man who perfectly lived, died, and rose again to secure redemption for humanity. Jesus is the "Lord" (G2962, _kýrios'_) who possesses all authority in heaven and on earth, the "Jesus" (G2424, _Iēsoûs'_) whose very name means "Yahweh saves," and the "Christ" (G5547, _Christós'_), the anointed Messiah, the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies concerning a deliverer. His atoning sacrifice on the cross (as highlighted in [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")) and His victorious resurrection (as affirmed in [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel of Christ's Death and Resurrection")) are the bedrock upon which our faith rests and the power by which we are "saved" (G4982, _sṓzō'_). He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him (as declared in [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Thus, to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is to entrust one's entire being to the One who is fully capable and supremely worthy of saving, preserving, and making whole all who come to Him in faith.

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

John 1:12

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:

Acts 2:38

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:39

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.

John 3:36

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Romans 10:9

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:10

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Acts 11:13

And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;