ACC ~ Acts 13 v42 - 48

OVERVIEW:

Modern observations take note that at Acts 13:43, Luke finally has Paul mention grace, an important part of Paul’s teaching in his letters. They also call attention to Paul’s words in Acts 13:46, “we now turn to the Gentiles,” and note they are neither a definitive abandonment of the Jewish people nor a turning point in Paul’s mission, as Acts 9:15 makes clear. This narrative is less about the move in the mission from Jew to Gentile and more about the consequences of rejecting the message of salvation. Another insight is that the way Paul quotes Isaiah 49:6 (LXX), on first reading, directs the words to himself and Barnabas, but since the “you” is singular, it seems that he is making Barnabas and himself instruments that show forth Christ, the light to the nations. For other Lukan uses of this Isaiah verse, see Luke 2:32 and Acts 26:18. Many of these points were anticipated by the older commentators. In the passages from the Fathers, we see Paul’s proclamation of Jesus, the crucified and resurrected one, as the fulfillment of the hope of Israel. The preaching scatters seeds that begin to bear fruit yet require a longer period of instruction. The envy that the success of Paul and Barnabas raises, however, does not stop the gospel from spreading (CHRYSOSTOM) and in fact serves to demonstrate that the nature of this message is universal as it comes from God who wills all who repent to be saved. It is we who freely judge ourselves to be unworthy of eternal life (AMMONIUS). Paul and Barnabas do not here reject the Jews and will continue to approach them, but they cannot keep themselves from preaching to the rest of the world (CHRYSOSTOM) as they have been called to extend Christ’s light (BEDE).

13:42 | The People Begged to Hear Paul

PAUL PLANTS THE SEED OF THE WORD. CHRYSOSTOM: Did you notice Paul’s wisdom? Not only did he win admiration at the time, but also put in them a second longing for listening, sowing as it were seeds in his speech and not resolving the issues at hand or following the subject to its conclusion, so as to ready them and accustom them to himself and not to make them flaccid by hurtling everything at their souls at once. He said, “Through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,” but he did not reveal how. After this point, he puts Paul first. Do you see their great eagerness? “They followed them,” he says. Why didn’t he baptize them immediately? It was not the proper time; there was need to persuade them so that they might remain steadfast. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 30.

13:45 | Filled with Jealousy

THIS ENVY EXTENDS THE PREACHING. CHRYSOSTOM: Do you see how by their contentious behavior they extended the preaching further and [how the apostles] gave themselves the more to the Gentiles, having made their defense and cleared themselves of indictments from their own people? … Through their jealousy they brought it about that the apostles spoke out boldly and went to the Gentiles. For this is why he said, “Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.’” They were about to go out to the Gentiles. But notice how the boldness is accompanied with measure. For if Peter defended himself, much more are these in need of a defense, since no one had called them there. And by saying “first,” he showed that to those as well it was their duty [to preach], and by saying “necessary,” he showed that it was necessary to preach to them as well. “Since you turn away,” he does not say, “woe to you” and “you are punished,” but “we turn to the Gentiles.” The boldness is full of much gentleness. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 30.

13:46 | Turning to the Gentiles

GOD DESIRES THE SALVATION OF ALL. AMMONIUS: Therefore God declares that nothing is unworthy of salvation or of entering the kingdom, nor, on the contrary, does he judge that humankind deserves damnation. Rather, we judge ourselves, through our freely committed malice, to be unworthy of eternal life and worthy of eternal damnation. Therefore the judgment is in ourselves as well as the lot of our future state. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 13.46.

13:47 | A Light for the Gentiles

ISRAEL NOT ABANDONED. CHRYSOSTOM: “It was necessary,” he says, “that the word should be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it from you.” Not an affront, but the same thing they had also done in the case of the prophets, “Speak not to us,” said they, “with talk.” “Since you thrust it from you,” he says, not “us.” For the affront from you was not against us. To prevent anyone from thinking “you judge yourselves unworthy” was an expression of their piety, [Paul] says first, “you thrust it from you,” and then “we turn to the Gentiles.” Full of great gentleness are these words. He did not say, “we abandon you,” but so that it is possible, he says, that we may turn to here again. And this was not the result of your affront, “for so the Lord has commanded us.” Then why have you not done this? There was indeed need that the Gentiles should hear. But the “before you” came about not from us but from you. “For so the Lord has commanded us. ‘I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation.’” That is, to be the knowledge to salvation. And not only for the Gentiles but for all who were ordained to eternal life. This is also a proof that it was in accordance with the mind of God that they received the Gentiles. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 30.

LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES. BEDE: What was said with specific reference to Christ the Lord is here taken by the apostles as referring to themselves, as they call to mind that they are his members; just as he himself said, because of the oneness of his body, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 13.47.