The Meaning of Acts 13:38 Explained

Acts 13:38

KJV: Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

YLT: 'Let it therefore be known to you, men, brethren, that through this one to you is the forgiveness of sins declared,

Darby: Be it known unto you, therefore, brethren, that through this man remission of sins is preached to you,

ASV: Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Be it  known  unto you  therefore,  men  [and] brethren,  that  through  this man  is preached  unto you  the forgiveness  of sins: 

What does Acts 13:38 Mean?

Study Notes

sins
Sin.
sinned
Sin, Summary: The literal meanings of the Heb. and (Greek - ἀλεκτοροφωνία sin," "sinner," etc)., disclose the true nature of sin in its manifold manifestations. Sin is transgression, an overstepping of the law, the divine boundary between good and evil Psalms 51:1 ; Luke 15:29 , iniquity, an act inherently wrong, whether expressly forbidden or not; error, a departure from right; Psalms 51:9 ; Romans 3:23 , missing the mark, a failure to meet the divine standard; trespass, the intrusion of self-will into the sphere of divine authority Ephesians 2:1 , lawlessness, or spiritual anarchy 1 Timothy 1:9 , unbelief, or an insult to the divine veracity John 16:9 .
Sin originated with Satan Isaiah 14:12-14 , entered the world through Adam Romans 5:12 , was, and is, universal, Christ alone excepted; Romans 3:23 ; 1 Peter 2:22 , incurs the penalties of spiritual and physical death; Genesis 2:17 ; Genesis 3:19 ; Ezekiel 18:4 ; Ezekiel 18:20 ; Romans 6:23 and has no remedy but in the sacrificial death of Christ; Hebrews 9:26 ; Acts 4:12 availed of by faith Acts 13:38 ; Acts 13:39 . Sin may be summarized as threefold: An act, the violation of, or want of obedience to the revealed will of God; a state, absence of righteousness; a nature, enmity toward God.

Context Summary

Acts 13:38-52 - Jews Reject, Gentiles Accept, The Gospel
The doctrine of justification by faith, so closely associated with the work of Paul, is here stated for the first time. In Jesus there is forgiveness. For those who trust in Him past sins are absolutely put away, never to be named again, never to be brought up at any future judgment day. Our record is as clear as the sand which has been swept smooth by the ocean waves. We are not only forgiven, but justified. We are treated as though we had never sinned, and are justified from all things. It is a present fact. You may not feel justified or forgiven, but if you are trusting in Jesus, you are at this moment as certainly and as fully justified as have been the saints in heaven.
Pride, as well as jealousy of the Gentiles who were crowding into the fold, stirred the Jews to antagonism, but they could not eradicate the seed which had been so profusely scattered. Large numbers believed, and as they experienced salvation in Christ, they discovered that they were in line with an eternal purpose. This is the meaning of ordained in Acts 13:48. If with such slight opportunities, the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:52, should we not possess the same experience? [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 13

1  Paul and Barnabas are chosen to go to the Gentiles
6  Of Sergius Paulus, and Elymas the sorcerer
13  Paul preaches at Antioch that Jesus is Christ
42  The Gentiles believe;
44  but the Jews talked abusively against Paul,
46  whereupon they turn to the Gentiles, of whom many believe
50  The Jews raise a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, who go to Iconium

Greek Commentary for Acts 13:38

Through this man [δια τουτου]
This very man whom the Jews had crucified and whom God had raised from the dead. Remission of sins Cf. Acts 26:18. This glorious message Paul now presses home in his exhortation. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 13:38 mean?

Known therefore be it to you men brothers that through this One forgiveness of sins is proclaimed
Γνωστὸν οὖν ἔστω ὑμῖν ἄνδρες ἀδελφοί ὅτι διὰ τούτου ἄφεσις ἁμαρτιῶν καταγγέλλεται

Γνωστὸν  Known 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: γνώριμος 
Sense: known, notable.
ἔστω  be  it 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ἄνδρες  men 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀνήρ  
Sense: with reference to sex.
ἀδελφοί  brothers 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
διὰ  through 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
τούτου  this  One 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ἄφεσις  forgiveness 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἄφεσις  
Sense: release from bondage or imprisonment.
ἁμαρτιῶν  of  sins 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root: ἁμαρτία  
Sense: equivalent to 264.
καταγγέλλεται  is  proclaimed 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: καταγγέλλω  
Sense: to announce, declare, promulgate, make known.