Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Neither {G2532}{G3756} is there {G2076} salvation {G4991} in {G1722} any {G3762} other {G243}: for {G1063} there is {G2076} none {G3777} other {G2087} name {G3686} under {G5259} heaven {G3772} given {G1325} among {G1722} men {G444}, whereby {G1722}{G3739} we {G2248} must {G1163} be saved {G4982}.

There is salvation in no one else! For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by whom we must be saved!”

Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.

Acts 4:12 (KJV)

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Context

This verse is part of Peter's bold speech before the Jewish Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. Peter and John had just healed a lame man in the temple, attributing the miracle to the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Acts 3:6, 16). Arrested and questioned about the source of their power, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, declares that the healing was done by Jesus, whom they had crucified but God had raised. He then makes this definitive statement about salvation.

Key Themes

  • Exclusivity of Salvation: The central message is that salvation is uniquely found in Jesus Christ. The declaration "none other name under heaven" emphasizes that no other person, system, or religion offers the means of salvation from sin and its consequences.
  • The Name of Jesus: The "name" here represents the person, authority, and power of Jesus. Salvation is intrinsically linked to who Jesus is and what he accomplished through his death and resurrection.
  • Necessity of Salvation: The phrase "whereby we must be saved" highlights the essential need for salvation for all humanity.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word translated "saved" is sōzō (σωζω). It carries a broad meaning that includes rescue, deliverance, healing, preservation, and being made whole. In this context, it primarily refers to spiritual salvation from sin and eternal judgment, but it is linked by Peter to the physical healing that just occurred, showing the comprehensive nature of salvation in Christ.

Significance and Application

This verse is a foundational statement in Christian theology regarding the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation. It was a challenging claim in the diverse religious landscape of the first century and remains so today. For believers, it underscores the importance of proclaiming Jesus Christ as the sole source of hope and salvation for the world. It calls for both conviction in one's faith and compassion in sharing this truth with others.

Cross-References

  • John 14:6 - Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
  • 1 Peter 2:4-8 - Refers to Jesus as the living stone, chosen of God and precious, the cornerstone rejected by men but chosen by God.
  • 1 John 5:11-12 - And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
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.

  • John 14:6

    Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:11

    ¶ For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

  • 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.

  • 1 Timothy 2:5

    For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

  • 1 Timothy 2:6

    Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

  • 1 John 5:11

    And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

  • 1 John 5:12

    He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
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