Acts 19:8

¶ And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

And {G1161} he went {G1525} into {G1519} the synagogue {G4864}, and spake boldly {G3955} for the space {G1909} of three {G5140} months {G3376}, disputing {G1256} and {G2532} persuading {G3982} the things concerning {G4012} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316}.

Sha’ul went into the synagogue; and for three months he spoke out boldly, engaging in dialogue and trying to persuade people about the Kingdom of God.

Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.

And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Acts 19:8 describes a significant phase of Paul's ministry in Ephesus, a major city in the Roman province of Asia. Having arrived in Ephesus after traveling through the upper coasts, Paul immediately continued his established evangelistic strategy.

Context

This verse opens the account of Paul's three-year stay in Ephesus, one of his most fruitful and challenging missions. Consistent with his usual approach, Paul first entered the local Jewish synagogue. His custom was to begin his missionary efforts by sharing the Gospel with the Jewish community, often using the synagogue as a platform for reasoned discourse and scripture exposition, as he had done in cities like Thessalonica.

Key Themes

  • Paul's Evangelistic Strategy: The synagogue was Paul's initial point of contact, demonstrating his desire to present the message of Christ first to the Jews. This approach highlights the continuity between the Old Testament prophecies and the fulfillment found in Jesus.
  • Bold Proclamation: Paul "spake boldly," indicating a courageous and unreserved declaration of truth. This boldness was a hallmark of the apostles' ministry, empowered by the Holy Spirit, a quality the early church prayed for and received.
  • The Kingdom of God as Central Message: The core of Paul's preaching was "the things concerning the kingdom of God." This theme, central to Jesus' own ministry, emphasizes God's sovereign rule, His redemptive plan, and the new spiritual reality inaugurated by Christ. It speaks to God's ultimate authority and the transformed life available through faith. Paul continued to preach this message throughout his ministry, even to the very end of the book of Acts.
  • Disputation and Persuasion: Paul didn't merely announce; he engaged in active "disputing and persuading." This signifies an intellectual and spiritual wrestling, reasoning with his listeners, presenting evidence, and seeking to convince them of the truth of the Gospel through logical argument and scriptural proof.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "spake boldly" comes from the Greek word parrhesia (παρρησία), which conveys the idea of speaking with freedom, frankness, confidence, and courage, especially in the face of opposition or potential danger. It implies an open and unreserved declaration of truth. The terms "disputing and persuading" (from Greek dialegomai and peitho) highlight Paul's method: he engaged in dialogue and debate, aiming to convince his hearers through reasoned argument and the power of the Spirit.

Practical Application

Acts 19:8 offers valuable lessons for believers today. It encourages us to be bold in proclaiming the truth of God's Word, even when it is counter-cultural or meets resistance. It also reminds us that sharing our faith often involves not just declaration, but also patient reasoning, engaging in thoughtful discussion, and seeking to persuade others with grace and truth. The consistent focus on "the kingdom of God" challenges us to align our lives and priorities with God's sovereign rule and His eternal purposes, making His reign a central theme of our own lives and witness.

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 1:3

    To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

  • Acts 28:23

    ¶ And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets, from morning till evening.

  • Acts 9:20

    And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

  • Acts 9:22

    But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

  • Jude 1:3

    ¶ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

  • Acts 13:14

    ¶ But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

  • Acts 26:22

    Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back