Acts 2:40

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

And {G5037} with many {G4119} other {G2087} words {G3056} did he testify {G1263} and {G2532} exhort {G3870}, saying {G3004}, Save yourselves {G4982} from {G575} this {G5026} untoward {G4646} generation {G1074}.

He pressed his case with many other arguments and kept pleading with them, “Save yourselves from this perverse generation!”

With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.”

And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.

Commentary

Context of Acts 2:40

Acts 2:40 captures the concluding, fervent exhortation from the Apostle Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost. This powerful address, delivered after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, had already "pricked in their heart" the thousands of devout Jews gathered in Jerusalem. Having explained the prophecy of Joel and boldly proclaimed Jesus of Nazareth as both Lord and Christ, whom they had crucified, Peter had just called them to "Repent, and be baptized... for the remission of sins." Verse 40 shows Peter's continued, passionate appeal, emphasizing the urgency of their decision and the gravity of their spiritual state.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Urgency of Salvation: Peter's words are a desperate plea, underscoring the immediate need for the listeners to respond to the Gospel. It wasn't merely an invitation but a strong warning and an urgent call to action.
  • Separation from Corruption: The phrase "Save yourselves from this untoward generation" is a clear call for moral and spiritual separation. It urges individuals to dissociate themselves from the prevailing wickedness, rebellion, and spiritual blindness of their time. This theme echoes throughout Scripture, calling believers to be distinct from the world's values (e.g., Romans 12:2).
  • Divine Judgment and Grace: Implicit in the warning about the "untoward generation" is the reality of God's judgment upon sin. However, concurrent with this warning is the abundant offer of God's grace and a way of escape through faith in Jesus Christ.
  • Personal Responsibility: While salvation is a gift of God, the command "Save yourselves" highlights the individual's responsibility to respond to God's gracious offer. It requires a conscious decision to turn away from sin and embrace the path of righteousness that God provides.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "untoward generation" translates the Greek word skolios (σκολιός). This word literally means "crooked," "bent," or "twisted," and figuratively, it denotes something "perverse," "deviant," "corrupt," or "morally depraved." It stands in stark contrast to that which is straight, upright, and aligned with God's will. Peter was describing a generation characterized by its spiritual stubbornness, moral corruption, and rejection of God's truth, particularly their role in the crucifixion of Jesus.

Practical Application

Acts 2:40 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. It serves as a timeless reminder that:

  • The Call to Separation is Ongoing: Every generation faces its own "untoward" characteristics—moral decay, spiritual apathy, and opposition to God's truth. Believers are continually called to live distinctively, not conforming to the world's patterns (2 Corinthians 6:17).
  • Urgency of the Gospel: The passionate nature of Peter's exhortation reminds us of the eternal significance of responding to the Gospel message. Salvation is a matter of life and death, and the call to repentance and faith is always urgent.
  • Personal Accountability: While God provides salvation, we are called to actively embrace it. This involves turning away from sin, trusting in Christ, and walking in obedience to His commands.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts An Analysis of Peter's Sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2) 3 Key Turning Points in the Book of Acts Peter's Sermon at Pentecost An Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles: The Birth of the Church

Cross-References

  • Philippians 2:15

    That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

  • Deuteronomy 32:5

    They have corrupted themselves, their spot [is] not [the spot] of his children: [they are] a perverse and crooked generation.

  • Matthew 17:17

    Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

  • 1 Timothy 4:16

    Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

  • Ephesians 4:17

    ¶ This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

  • 2 Corinthians 6:17

    Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,

  • Matthew 16:4

    A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
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