Acts 13:48

How do I work out the meaning of a Greek text? How can I best understand the forms and vocabulary in this particular text?
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savedbygrace
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Joined: March 17th, 2019, 6:26 pm

Acts 13:48

Post by savedbygrace »

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Hello all. I am new here. I have heard two different understandings of Acts 13:48, and they each change the word order. I am wondering if the Greek text could help answer the problem.

Acts 13:48 (NKJV) reads, "Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed."

The Greek (TR) reads, "ἀκούοντα δὲ τὰ ἔθνη ἔχαιρον καὶ ἐδόξαζον τὸν λόγον τοῦ Κυρίου καὶ ἐπίστευσαν ὅσοι ἦσαν τεταγμένοι εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον"

I have heard it read exactly like the NKJV has it, but I have also heard it read as "As many as believed, had been appointed to eternal life"

Obviously one understanding lends to the Calvinist view point, while the other the Arminianist view point. Since I do not want to add any of my own personal beliefs to the text, I would much rather know what it actually SAYS. any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Barry Hofstetter
Posts: 2159
Joined: May 6th, 2011, 1:48 pm

Re: Acts 13:48

Post by Barry Hofstetter »

The NKJV expresses a correct understanding of the Greek text. Essentially, the relative pronoun ὅσοι (as many as, whoever) governs the verb ἦσαν τεταγμένοι (were appointed). What you've heard, "As many as believed, had been appointed to eternal life" reverses the clauses, and is an impossible reading of the Greek text.
N.E. Barry Hofstetter, M.A., Th.M.
Ph.D. Student U of FL
Instructor of Latin
Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy
καὶ σὺ τὸ σὸν ποιήσεις κἀγὼ τὸ ἐμόν. ἆρον τὸ σὸν καὶ ὕπαγε.
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