The Meaning of Acts 26:18 Explained

Acts 26:18

KJV: To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

YLT: to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the authority of the Adversary unto God, for their receiving forgiveness of sins, and a lot among those having been sanctified, by faith that is toward me.

Darby: to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.

ASV: to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

To open  their  eyes,  [and] to turn  [them] from  darkness  to  light,  and  [from] the power  of Satan  unto  God,  that they  may receive  forgiveness  of sins,  and  inheritance  among  them which are sanctified  by faith  that is in  me. 

What does Acts 26:18 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.

Verse Meaning

This verse recalls the divine commission of Messiah (cf. Isaiah 35:5; Isaiah 42:6-7; Isaiah 42:16). It is one of the best summary statements of not only Paul"s mission but also the mission of every believer (cf. Matthew 28:19-20; Colossians 1:12-14). Paul was to do for others what God had done for him, and so should we. The sanctification in view is positional; God sets a person apart for a special purpose before and when he or she trusts Christ (cf. Ephesians 1:4).
Paul had gone to Damascus as the apostle (i.e, sent one) of the Sanhedrin. He returned as the apostle of Jesus Christ. [1]

Context Summary

Acts 26:12-21 - Obedient To His Heavenly Vision
Nowhere else is there such deliverance from the glare and cross-lights of earth as is afforded by a vision of the face of Jesus, brighter than the sun at noon. To everyone there comes the opportunity of catching a vision of that face, sometimes reflected in a human one, as Paul first saw it in the countenance of Stephen. It confronts us when we go on forbidden paths, and summons us to arise and follow the life which is life indeed.
Acts 26:16 : What we have seen is only a part of the great unveiling. He will show us other and greater things than these. Acts 26:17 : We shall be delivered, even as we are sent. The Master holds Himself responsible for our safety while we are engaged in His work. Acts 26:18 : We have here an anticipation of Colossians 1:19.
We must not disobey the heavenly visions that visit us. When Paul in his dream beheld the beckoning Macedonian, he made a straight course for Europe. Sometimes, in obeying, the first appearances are discouraging, as when the missionaries, on landing at Philippi, met only a few women beside the little river; but the final results will justify the first stepping-out of faith. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 26

1  Paul, in the presence of Agrippa, declares his life from his childhood;
12  and how miraculously he was converted, and called to his apostleship
24  Festus charges him with being insane, whereunto he answers modestly
28  Agrippa is almost persuaded to be a Christian
31  The whole company pronounces him innocent

Greek Commentary for Acts 26:18

To open [ανοιχαι]
First aorist active infinitive of purpose. [source]
That they may turn [του επιστρεπσαι]
Another infinitive of purpose first aorist active (genitive case and articular), epexegetic to ανοιχαι — anoixai That they may receive (του λαβειν — tou labein). Another genitive articular infinitive of purpose subordinate (epexegetic) to του επιστρεπσαι — tou epistrepsai Sanctified by faith in me Perfect passive participle of αγιαζω — hagiazō instrumental case of πιστει — pistei article before εις εμε — eis eme (“by faith, that in me”). These important words of Jesus to Paul give his justification to this cultured audience for his response to the command of Jesus. This was the turning point in Paul‘s career and it was a step forward and upward. [source]
That they may receive [του λαβειν]
Another genitive articular infinitive of purpose subordinate (epexegetic) to του επιστρεπσαι — tou epistrepsai [source]
Sanctified by faith in me [ηγιασμενοις πιστει τηι εις εμε]
Perfect passive participle of αγιαζω — hagiazō instrumental case of πιστει — pistei article before εις εμε — eis eme (“by faith, that in me”). These important words of Jesus to Paul give his justification to this cultured audience for his response to the command of Jesus. This was the turning point in Paul‘s career and it was a step forward and upward. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 26:18

Acts 1:17 Received his portion [ελαχεν τον κληρον]
Second aorist active indicative of λαγχανω — lagchanō old verb, to obtain by lot as in Luke 1:9; John 19:24, especially by divine appointment as here and 2 Peter 2:1. Κληρος — Klēros also means lot, an object used in casting lots (Acts 1:26), or what is obtained by lot as here and Acts 8:21, of eternal salvation (Acts 26:18; Colossians 1:12), of persons chosen by divine appointment (1 Peter 5:3). From this latter usage the Latin cleros, clericus, our clergy, one chosen by divine lot. So Peter says that Judas “obtained by lot the lot of this ministry” (διακονιας — diakonias) which he had when he betrayed Jesus. The Master chose him and gave him his opportunity. [source]
Acts 11:21 Turned unto the Lord [επεστρεπσεν επι τον κυριον]
First aorist active indicative of επιστρεπω — epistrephō common verb to turn. The usual expression for Gentiles turning to the true God (Acts 14:15; Acts 15:3, Acts 15:19; Acts 26:18, Acts 26:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Here “Lord” refers to “the Lord Jesus” as in Acts 11:20, though “the hand of the Lord” is the hand of Jehovah, clearly showing that the early disciples put Jesus on a par with Jehovah. His deity was not a late development read back into the early history. [source]
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]
Acts 26:23 How that he first by the resurrection of the dead [ει]
Same construction with πρωτος — ei (whether). This point Paul had often discussed with the Jews: “whether he (the Messiah) by a resurrection of dead people.” Others had been raised from the dead, but Christ is the first Paul is still speaking from the Jewish standpoint: “is about to (going to) proclaim light.” See Acts 26:18 for “light” and Luke 2:32. Both to the people and to the Gentiles (ετνη — tōi te laōi kai tois ethnesin). See Acts 26:17. It was at the word Gentiles (αναστασις — ethnē) that the mob lost control of themselves in the speech from the stairs (Acts 22:21.). So it is here, only not because of that word, but because of the word “resurrection” (anastasis). [source]
1 Thessalonians 5:5 Children of light [υἱοὶ φωτός]
More correctly, sons of light. See on Mark 3:17, and comp. Luke 16:8; John 12:36; Ephesians 5:8; Colossians 1:12. The Christian condition is habitually associated in N.T. with light: see Matthew 5:14, Matthew 5:16; John 3:21; John 8:12; Acts 26:18; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 1:7. The contrary condition with darkness: see John 3:19, John 3:20; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 4:16; Matthew 6:23, etc. [source]
1 Timothy 3:13 A good standing [βατμον καλον]
Late word from βαινω — bainō in lxx for steps at a door (1 Samuel 5:5). In plural the steps of a stair. In the inscriptions it means a good foothold or standing. The ecclesiastical writers (Theodoret) take it to be a higher grade or rank, but it is doubtful if Paul means that here. Much boldness (πολλην παρρησιαν — pollēn parrēsian). A Pauline phrase (2 Corinthians 3:12; 2 Corinthians 7:4; Philemon 1:20). In the faith which is in Christ Jesus Pauline phrase again (Acts 26:18; Galatians 3:26; Colossians 1:4; Ephesians 1:15; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:15). [source]
1 Timothy 3:13 In the faith which is in Christ Jesus [εν πιστει τηι εν Χριστωι Ιησου]
Pauline phrase again (Acts 26:18; Galatians 3:26; Colossians 1:4; Ephesians 1:15; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:15). [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 26:18 mean?

to open eyes of them that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power - of Satan to - God [that] may receive they forgiveness of sins [an] inheritance among those having been sanctified by faith that [is] in Me
ἀνοῖξαι ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν τοῦ ἐπιστρέψαι ἀπὸ σκότους εἰς φῶς καὶ τῆς ἐξουσίας τοῦ Σατανᾶ ἐπὶ τὸν Θεόν τοῦ λαβεῖν αὐτοὺς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν κλῆρον ἐν τοῖς ἡγιασμένοις πίστει τῇ εἰς ἐμέ

ἀνοῖξαι  to  open 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: ἀνοίγω 
Sense: to open.
ὀφθαλμοὺς  eyes 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ὀφθαλμός  
Sense: the eye.
αὐτῶν  of  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
τοῦ  that 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐπιστρέψαι  they  may  turn 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: ἐπιστρέφω  
Sense: transitively.
σκότους  darkness 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: σκότος  
Sense: darkness.
φῶς  light 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: φῶς  
Sense: light.
τῆς  from  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐξουσίας  power 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἐξουσία  
Sense: power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Σατανᾶ  of  Satan 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Σατανᾶς  
Sense: adversary (one who opposes another in purpose or act), the name given to.
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεόν  God 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
τοῦ  [that] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
λαβεῖν  may  receive 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: λαμβάνω  
Sense: to take.
ἄφεσιν  forgiveness 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἄφεσις  
Sense: release from bondage or imprisonment.
ἁμαρτιῶν  of  sins 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root: ἁμαρτία  
Sense: equivalent to 264.
κλῆρον  [an]  inheritance 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: κλῆρος  
Sense: an object used in casting or drawing lots, which was either a pebble, or a potsherd, or a bit of wood.
τοῖς  those 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἡγιασμένοις  having  been  sanctified 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Participle Middle or Passive, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ἁγιάζω 
Sense: to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow.
πίστει  by  faith 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: πίστις  
Sense: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it.
τῇ  that  [is] 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐμέ  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.

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