Acts 7:26

And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?

And {G5037} the next {G1966} day {G2250} he shewed himself {G3700} unto them {G846} as they strove {G3164}, and {G2532} would have set {G4900} them {G846} at {G1519} one again {G1515}, saying {G2036}, Sirs {G435}, ye {G5210} are {G2075} brethren {G80}; why {G2444} do ye wrong {G91} one to another {G240}?

When he appeared the next day, as they were fighting, and tried to make peace between them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers! Why do you want to hurt each other?’

The next day he came upon two Israelites who were fighting, and he tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you mistreating each other?’

And the day following he appeared unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?

Acts 7:26 (KJV) is part of Stephen's powerful sermon before the Sanhedrin, where he recounts the history of Israel, highlighting their consistent rejection of God's chosen messengers, including Moses. This particular verse describes an event from Moses' early life, before the Exodus, demonstrating his heart for his people and his initial attempt to mediate conflict among them.

Historical and Cultural Context

Stephen is recalling the narrative found in Exodus 2:13-14. After Moses had killed an Egyptian who was striking a Hebrew, he returned the next day to find two Hebrews fighting. His intervention here reveals his burgeoning sense of identity with his Israelite brethren and his desire for justice and peace among them. This event foreshadows his later role as a mediator between God and Israel, and a deliverer from oppression.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Reconciliation and Peacemaking: Moses attempts to "set them at one again," embodying the role of a peacemaker. This theme is central to Christian life, as believers are called to pursue peace (Matthew 5:9).
  • Brotherhood and Unity: Moses' question, "Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?" underscores the natural bond that should exist among fellow Israelites, and by extension, among believers today. Internal strife contradicts the very nature of brotherhood.
  • Rejection of God's Deliverer: Ironically, despite Moses' benevolent intentions, his intervention was met with resistance, as the aggressor questioned his authority (Acts 7:27-28). Stephen uses this historical pattern to highlight Israel's rejection of Jesus, the ultimate deliverer, echoing the pattern of rejecting God's chosen ones.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "would have set them at one again" comes from the Greek word synellaxen (συνήλλαξεν), meaning "to reconcile" or "to bring together." This highlights Moses' specific intention: not just to stop the fight, but to restore harmony and unity between the disputants. The word "strove" is from machomenois (μαχομένοις), indicating they were actively fighting or contending, emphasizing the severity of their conflict.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for communities, especially the church, about the importance of resolving conflict and maintaining unity. Just as Moses sought to reconcile his brethren, believers are called to be agents of peace within their own ranks, addressing disagreements with grace and a desire for restoration. It challenges us to reflect on how we respond to internal strife and whether we are actively working towards reconciliation, remembering our shared spiritual brotherhood in Christ and the call to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

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.

  • Exodus 2:13

    And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?

  • Exodus 2:15

    Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:6

    But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:8

    Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that [your] brethren.

  • John 15:17

    These things I command you, that ye love one another.

  • John 15:18

    If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you.

  • Psalms 133:1

    ¶ A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back