It is very interesting here to find Peter on the defensive. We have always thought of him as masterful and strong, the born leader of men, whose authority was absolutely indisputable. But here we see him taken seriously to task by the mother Church, and compelled to show the grounds of his unprecedented action. Here also appears the first clear indication of the rift which was, in due course, to develop in the Church, between the converted Jews, who insisted that Gentiles must become Jews before becoming Christians, and those of more liberal views, who began to understand that in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision availed anything, but a new creature, Galatians 6:15, and faith working by love, Galatians 5:6. This division was the cause of Paul's embittered and life-long persecution.
But the first decision of those in the church in Jerusalem was a perfectly just one, Acts 11:18. The facts compelled a favorable verdict upon Peter's action. They tacitly confessed that the seal of God's approval had been unmistakably affixed to his action, and that he had no alternative. When a man lives in union with the Spirit of God, crooked things become straight and rough places plain, Isaiah 40:4. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 11
1Peter, being accused for preaching to the Gentiles, 5makes his defense; 18which is accepted 19The gospel being spread in Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, 22Barnabas is sent to confirm them 26The disciples are first called Christians at Antioch 27They send relief to the brothers in Judea in time of famine
Greek Commentary for Acts 11:4
Began [αρχαμενος] Not pleonastic here, but graphically showing how Peter began at the beginning and gave the full story of God‘s dealings with him in Joppa and Caesarea. [source]
Expounded [εχετιτετο] Imperfect middle of εκτιτημι ektithēmi to set forth, old verb, but in the N.T. only in Acts (Acts 7:21; Acts 11:4; Acts 18:26; Acts 28:23), a deliberate and detailed narrative “in order” Old word for in succession. In the N.T. only in Luke 1:2; Luke 8:1; Acts 3:24; Acts 11:14; Acts 18:23. Luke evidently considered this defence of Peter important and he preserves the marks of authenticity. It came originally from Peter himself (Acts 11:5,Acts 11:6,Acts 11:15,Acts 11:16). “The case of Cornelius was a test case of primary importance” (Page), “the first great difficulty of the early Church.” Part of the story Luke gives three times (Acts 10:3-6,Acts 10:30-32; Acts 11:13.). See the discussion chapter 10 for details given here. [source]
Began [] Graphically indicating the solemn purport of the speech (compare Luke 12:1), or perhaps, in connection with expounded, his beginning with the first circumstances and going through the whole list of incidents. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 11:4
Acts 11:4Expounded [εχετιτετο] Imperfect middle of εκτιτημι ektithēmi to set forth, old verb, but in the N.T. only in Acts (Acts 7:21; Acts 11:4; Acts 18:26; Acts 28:23), a deliberate and detailed narrative “in order” Old word for in succession. In the N.T. only in Luke 1:2; Luke 8:1; Acts 3:24; Acts 11:14; Acts 18:23. Luke evidently considered this defence of Peter important and he preserves the marks of authenticity. It came originally from Peter himself (Acts 11:5,Acts 11:6,Acts 11:15,Acts 11:16). “The case of Cornelius was a test case of primary importance” (Page), “the first great difficulty of the early Church.” Part of the story Luke gives three times (Acts 10:3-6,Acts 10:30-32; Acts 11:13.). See the discussion chapter 10 for details given here. [source]
Acts 18:23He departed [εχηλτεν] Thus simply and alone Paul began the third mission tour without a Barnabas or a Silas. Went through (διερχομενος dierchomenos). Present middle participle, going through. The region of Galatia and Phrygia See note on Acts 16:6 for discussion of this phrase, here in reverse order, passing through the Galatic region and then Phrygia. Does Luke mean Lycaonia (Derbe and Lystra) and Phrygia (Iconium and Pisidian Antioch)? Or does he mean the route west through the old Galatia and the old Phrygia on west into Asia? The same conflict exists here over the South Galatian and the North Galatian theories. Phrygia is apparently distinguished from the Galatic region here. It is apparently a.d. 52 when Paul set out on this tour. In order (kathexēs). In succession as in Acts 11:4, though the names of the cities are not given. Stablishing As he did in the second tour (Acts 15:41, κατεχης epistērizōn compound of this same verb) which see. [source]
Acts 18:23The region of Galatia and Phrygia [τεν Γαλατικην χωραν και Πρψγιαν] See note on Acts 16:6 for discussion of this phrase, here in reverse order, passing through the Galatic region and then Phrygia. Does Luke mean Lycaonia (Derbe and Lystra) and Phrygia (Iconium and Pisidian Antioch)? Or does he mean the route west through the old Galatia and the old Phrygia on west into Asia? The same conflict exists here over the South Galatian and the North Galatian theories. Phrygia is apparently distinguished from the Galatic region here. It is apparently a.d. 52 when Paul set out on this tour. In order (kathexēs). In succession as in Acts 11:4, though the names of the cities are not given. Stablishing As he did in the second tour (Acts 15:41, κατεχης epistērizōn compound of this same verb) which see. [source]
Acts 18:23In order [kathexēs)] In succession as in Acts 11:4, though the names of the cities are not given. [source]
Acts 18:26Expounded [εχετεντο] Second aorist (effective) middle indicative of εκτιτημι ektithēmi seen already in Acts 11:4, to set forth. More carefully (ακριβεστερον akribesteron). Comparative adverb of ακριβως akribōs More accurately than he already knew. Instead of abusing the young and brilliant preacher for his ignorance they (particularly Priscilla) gave him the fuller story of the life and work of Jesus and of the apostolic period to fill up the gaps in his knowledge. It is a needed and delicate task, this thing of teaching gifted young ministers. They do not learn it all in schools. More of it comes from contact with men and women rich in grace and in the knowledge of God‘s ways. He was not rebaptized, but only received fuller information. [source]
Acts 28:23In great number [πλειονες] Comparative of πολυς polus “more than a few.” Expounded (εχετιτετο exetitheto). Imperfect middle of εκτιτημι ektithēmi to set forth, as in Acts 11:4; Acts 18:26. He did it with detail and care and spent all day at it, “from morning till evening” (απο πρωι εως εσπερας apo prōi heōs hesperas). In N.T. only here, Acts 4:3 and Luke 24:29, though common word. Persuading them concerning Jesus Conative present active participle, trying to persuade. It was only about Jesus that he could make good his claim concerning the hope of Israel (Acts 28:20). It was Paul‘s great opportunity. So he appealed both to Moses and to the prophets for proof as it was his custom to do. [source]
Acts 28:23Expounded [εχετιτετο] Imperfect middle of εκτιτημι ektithēmi to set forth, as in Acts 11:4; Acts 18:26. He did it with detail and care and spent all day at it, “from morning till evening” In N.T. only here, Acts 4:3 and Luke 24:29, though common word. [source]
Greek Commentary for Acts 11:4
Not pleonastic here, but graphically showing how Peter began at the beginning and gave the full story of God‘s dealings with him in Joppa and Caesarea. [source]
Imperfect middle of εκτιτημι ektithēmi to set forth, old verb, but in the N.T. only in Acts (Acts 7:21; Acts 11:4; Acts 18:26; Acts 28:23), a deliberate and detailed narrative “in order” Old word for in succession. In the N.T. only in Luke 1:2; Luke 8:1; Acts 3:24; Acts 11:14; Acts 18:23. Luke evidently considered this defence of Peter important and he preserves the marks of authenticity. It came originally from Peter himself (Acts 11:5, Acts 11:6, Acts 11:15, Acts 11:16). “The case of Cornelius was a test case of primary importance” (Page), “the first great difficulty of the early Church.” Part of the story Luke gives three times (Acts 10:3-6, Acts 10:30-32; Acts 11:13.). See the discussion chapter 10 for details given here. [source]
Graphically indicating the solemn purport of the speech (compare Luke 12:1), or perhaps, in connection with expounded, his beginning with the first circumstances and going through the whole list of incidents. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 11:4
Imperfect middle of εκτιτημι ektithēmi to set forth, old verb, but in the N.T. only in Acts (Acts 7:21; Acts 11:4; Acts 18:26; Acts 28:23), a deliberate and detailed narrative “in order” Old word for in succession. In the N.T. only in Luke 1:2; Luke 8:1; Acts 3:24; Acts 11:14; Acts 18:23. Luke evidently considered this defence of Peter important and he preserves the marks of authenticity. It came originally from Peter himself (Acts 11:5, Acts 11:6, Acts 11:15, Acts 11:16). “The case of Cornelius was a test case of primary importance” (Page), “the first great difficulty of the early Church.” Part of the story Luke gives three times (Acts 10:3-6, Acts 10:30-32; Acts 11:13.). See the discussion chapter 10 for details given here. [source]
Thus simply and alone Paul began the third mission tour without a Barnabas or a Silas. Went through (διερχομενος dierchomenos). Present middle participle, going through. The region of Galatia and Phrygia See note on Acts 16:6 for discussion of this phrase, here in reverse order, passing through the Galatic region and then Phrygia. Does Luke mean Lycaonia (Derbe and Lystra) and Phrygia (Iconium and Pisidian Antioch)? Or does he mean the route west through the old Galatia and the old Phrygia on west into Asia? The same conflict exists here over the South Galatian and the North Galatian theories. Phrygia is apparently distinguished from the Galatic region here. It is apparently a.d. 52 when Paul set out on this tour. In order (kathexēs). In succession as in Acts 11:4, though the names of the cities are not given. Stablishing As he did in the second tour (Acts 15:41, κατεχης epistērizōn compound of this same verb) which see. [source]
See note on Acts 16:6 for discussion of this phrase, here in reverse order, passing through the Galatic region and then Phrygia. Does Luke mean Lycaonia (Derbe and Lystra) and Phrygia (Iconium and Pisidian Antioch)? Or does he mean the route west through the old Galatia and the old Phrygia on west into Asia? The same conflict exists here over the South Galatian and the North Galatian theories. Phrygia is apparently distinguished from the Galatic region here. It is apparently a.d. 52 when Paul set out on this tour. In order (kathexēs). In succession as in Acts 11:4, though the names of the cities are not given. Stablishing As he did in the second tour (Acts 15:41, κατεχης epistērizōn compound of this same verb) which see. [source]
In succession as in Acts 11:4, though the names of the cities are not given. [source]
Second aorist (effective) middle indicative of εκτιτημι ektithēmi seen already in Acts 11:4, to set forth. More carefully (ακριβεστερον akribesteron). Comparative adverb of ακριβως akribōs More accurately than he already knew. Instead of abusing the young and brilliant preacher for his ignorance they (particularly Priscilla) gave him the fuller story of the life and work of Jesus and of the apostolic period to fill up the gaps in his knowledge. It is a needed and delicate task, this thing of teaching gifted young ministers. They do not learn it all in schools. More of it comes from contact with men and women rich in grace and in the knowledge of God‘s ways. He was not rebaptized, but only received fuller information. [source]
Comparative of πολυς polus “more than a few.” Expounded (εχετιτετο exetitheto). Imperfect middle of εκτιτημι ektithēmi to set forth, as in Acts 11:4; Acts 18:26. He did it with detail and care and spent all day at it, “from morning till evening” (απο πρωι εως εσπερας apo prōi heōs hesperas). In N.T. only here, Acts 4:3 and Luke 24:29, though common word. Persuading them concerning Jesus Conative present active participle, trying to persuade. It was only about Jesus that he could make good his claim concerning the hope of Israel (Acts 28:20). It was Paul‘s great opportunity. So he appealed both to Moses and to the prophets for proof as it was his custom to do. [source]
Imperfect middle of εκτιτημι ektithēmi to set forth, as in Acts 11:4; Acts 18:26. He did it with detail and care and spent all day at it, “from morning till evening” In N.T. only here, Acts 4:3 and Luke 24:29, though common word. [source]
See Acts 11:4-6; 1 Corinthians 11:1. [source]