Acts 22:14

And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

And {G1161} he said {G2036}, The God {G2316} of our {G2257} fathers {G3962} hath chosen {G4400} thee {G4571}, that thou shouldest know {G1097} his {G846} will {G2307}, and {G2532} see {G1492} that Just One {G1342}, and {G2532} shouldest hear {G191} the voice {G5456} of {G1537} his {G846} mouth {G4750}.

He said, ‘The God of our fathers determined in advance that you should know his will, see the Tzaddik and hear his voice;

Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear His voice.

And he said, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth.

Acts 22:14 (KJV) records the pivotal words spoken by Ananias to Saul (who would become the Apostle Paul) during his conversion experience in Damascus. This verse highlights God's specific and profound calling upon Paul's life, setting the stage for his future ministry.

Context

This verse is part of Paul's defense before the angry Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, as recorded in Acts chapter 22. Paul recounts his dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, which led to his blindness and subsequent healing by Ananias. Here, Ananias delivers God's direct commission to Saul, emphasizing the divine origin and purpose of his calling. This account is consistent with other narratives of Paul's conversion, such as in Acts 9 and Acts 26.

Key Themes

  • Divine Election and Purpose: The phrase "The God of our fathers hath chosen thee" underscores the sovereign initiative of God. Paul's calling was not accidental but predestined, a specific divine appointment connecting him to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This highlights God's active involvement in selecting individuals for His purposes, as seen throughout biblical history.
  • Knowing God's Will: Ananias declares that Paul was chosen "that thou shouldest know his will." This speaks to a personal revelation and understanding of God's specific plan and purpose for Paul's life, which would involve proclaiming the Gospel to the Gentiles. This emphasis on knowing God's will is a recurring theme for believers, encouraging them to seek His perfect will in their own lives.
  • Encounter with "That Just One": Paul was chosen to "see that Just One." This refers directly to Jesus Christ, emphasizing His righteousness and unique status. This direct, personal encounter with the risen Christ was fundamental to Paul's apostleship, as he was to be a witness to what he had seen and heard. The title "Just One" (ho dikaios in Greek) is also applied to Jesus by Peter in his sermons (Acts 3:14, Acts 7:52).
  • Hearing God's Voice: "And shouldest hear the voice of his mouth" signifies a direct, personal communication from God. This was not merely intellectual understanding but an audible, transformative encounter that authenticated Paul's commission and provided him with the divine authority necessary for his future apostolic ministry.

Linguistic Insights

The title "that Just One" (Greek: ho dikaios) is significant. It portrays Jesus as the righteous, innocent, and morally perfect individual, in stark contrast to humanity's sinfulness. This title was used by early Christians to affirm Christ's blameless character and His role as the righteous sacrifice for sin, as seen in 1 Peter 3:18 where "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust."

Practical Application

Acts 22:14 offers profound encouragement for believers today. Just as God had a specific plan for Paul, He also has a unique purpose for each individual. The verse reminds us of the importance of:

  • Seeking God's Will: Actively pursuing an understanding of God's purpose for our lives through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel.
  • Personal Encounter with Christ: Recognizing that a genuine relationship with Jesus is foundational to Christian life and service.
  • Listening to God's Voice: Cultivating a habit of listening for God's guidance, whether through His Word, the Holy Spirit, or circumstances.

This verse affirms that God initiates the call, reveals His will, and provides the necessary encounter and communication for His chosen servants to fulfill their divine assignments.

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.

  • Galatians 1:12

    For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

  • Acts 26:16

    But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

  • 1 Corinthians 15:8

    And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:1

    ¶ Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

  • Acts 9:15

    But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

  • 1 John 2:1

    ¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

  • Romans 1:1

    ¶ Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

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