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Saturday, September 28th, 2024
the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
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Read the Bible

The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible

Acts 11:23

When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Antioch;   Decision;   Faith;   Joy;   Perseverance;   Righteous;   Zeal, Religious;   Thompson Chain Reference - Barnabas;   Exhortations;   Gladness;   God;   God's;   Grace;   Joy;   Joy-Sorrow;   Service;   Steadfastness;   Steadfastness-Instability;   Work, Religious;   Work-Workers, Religious;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Conversion;   Grace;   Ministers;   Steadfastness;   Union with Christ;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Antioch in syria;   Barnabas;   Church;   Syria;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Hardening, Hardness of Heart;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Baptism ;   Exhortation;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Apostle;   Barnabas;   Paul;   Peter;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Acts;   Barnabas;   Church;   Grace;   Hebrews;   Luke;   Paul;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Barnabas;   Galatians, Epistle to the;   Grace;   Mark, Gospel According to;   Vision;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Antioch ;   Barnabas ;   Church;   Claudius;   Exhortation;   Joy;   Law;   Missions;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Antioch in Syria ;   Barnabas ;   11 To Desire, Will, Purpose;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Bar'nabas;   How the Prophetic Gift Was Received;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Antioch;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom of Judah;   Kingdom or Church of Christ, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Acts of the Apostles;   Cleave;   Luke, the Evangelist;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Barnabas;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Agabus;   Barnabas, Joses;  

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
When he got there, he beheld quite a sight. He encouraged all the new cowboys to remain true to the brand and ride for the Lord with all their hearts.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;
Legacy Standard Bible
who, when he arrived and saw the grace of God, rejoiced and began to encourage them all with a purposeful heart to remain true to the Lord;
Bible in Basic English
Who, when he came and saw the grace of God, was glad; and he made clear to them the need of keeping near the Lord with all the strength of their hearts:
Darby Translation
who, having arrived and seeing the grace of God, rejoiced, and exhorted all with purpose of heart to abide with the Lord;
New King James Version
When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
Christian Standard Bible®
When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with a firm resolve of the heart,
World English Bible
who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would remain near to the Lord.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Who coming and seeing the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, to cleave unto the Lord with full purpose of heart.
Weymouth's New Testament
On getting there he was delighted to see the grace which God had bestowed; and he encouraged them all to remain, with fixed resolve, faithful to the Lord.
King James Version (1611)
Who when hee came, and had seene the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleaue vnto the Lord.
Literal Translation
who having come, and seeing the grace of God, rejoiced. And he exhorted all with purpose of heart to abide near the Lord.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Which whan he was come thither, & sawe the grace of God, he was glad, and exorted them all, that with purpose of hert they wolde contynue in the LORDE.
Mace New Testament (1729)
who upon his arrival there, was glad to see such effects of the divine grace, and exhorted them all to remain firmly attach'd to the christian profession:
Amplified Bible
When he arrived and saw the grace of God [that was bestowed on them], he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with an unwavering heart to stay true and devoted to the Lord.
American Standard Version
who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord:
Revised Standard Version
When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose;
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Which when he was come and had sene the grace of God was glad and exhorted them all that with purpose of hert they wolde continually cleave vnto ye Lorde.
Update Bible Version
who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord:
Webster's Bible Translation
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord.
Young's Literal Translation
who, having come, and having seen the grace of God, was glad, and was exhorting all with purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord,
New Century Version
Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and full of faith. When he reached Antioch and saw how God had blessed the people, he was glad. He encouraged all the believers in Antioch always to obey the Lord with all their hearts, and many people became followers of the Lord.
New English Translation
When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts,
Contemporary English Version
When Barnabas got there and saw what God had been kind enough to do for them, he was very glad. So he begged them to remain faithful to the Lord with all their hearts.
Complete Jewish Bible
On arriving and seeing for himself the grace of God at work, he was glad; and he encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with their whole hearts;
English Standard Version
When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,
Geneva Bible (1587)
Who when he was come and had seene the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted all, that with purpose of heart they would continue in the Lord.
George Lamsa Translation
When he came there and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he pleaded with them that they should follow our LORD with all their hearts.
Hebrew Names Version
who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would remain near to the Lord.
International Standard Version
When he arrived, he rejoiced to see what the grace of God had done,to see the grace of God">[fn] and with a hearty determination he continuously encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord.Acts 13:43; 14:22;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
And when he came thither, and beheld the grace of Aloha, he rejoiced, and entreated them with all their heart to cleave to our Lord.
Murdock Translation
And when he came there, and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced: and he entreated them, that with all their heart, they would adhere to our Lord.
New Living Translation
When he arrived and saw this evidence of God's blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord.
New Life Bible
When he got there and saw how good God had been to them, he was full of joy. He told them to be true and faithful to the Lord.
English Revised Version
who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord:
New Revised Standard
When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Who, arriving, and seeing the favour which was of God, rejoiced, and went on to beseech all, with the purpose of their heart, to abide inthe Lord;
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who, when he was come and had seen the grace of God, rejoiced. And he exhorted them all with purpose of heart to continue in the Lord.
King James Version
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
Lexham English Bible
who, when he arrived and saw the grace of God, rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Which when he came, and had seene the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they woulde cleaue vnto the Lorde.
Easy-to-Read Version
Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. When he went to Antioch and saw how God had blessed the believers there, he was very happy. He encouraged them all, saying, "Always be faithful to the Lord. Serve him with all your heart." Many more people became followers of the Lord.
New American Standard Bible
Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;
Good News Translation
When he arrived and saw how God had blessed the people, he was glad and urged them all to be faithful and true to the Lord with all their hearts.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And whanne he was come, and siy the grace of the Lord, he ioyede, and monestide alle men to dwelle in the Lord in purpos of herte;

Contextual Overview

19Meanwhile, those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews. 20But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22When news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.24Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

seen: Mark 2:5, Colossians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 2 Timothy 1:4, 2 Timothy 1:5, 2 Peter 1:4-9, 3 John 1:4

and exhorted: Acts 13:43, Acts 14:22, John 8:31, John 8:32, John 15:4, 1 Thessalonians 3:2-5, Hebrews 10:19-26, Hebrews 10:32-39, 2 Peter 3:17, 2 Peter 3:18, 1 John 2:28

purpose: Psalms 17:3, Proverbs 23:15, Proverbs 23:28, Daniel 1:8, 2 Corinthians 1:17, 2 Timothy 3:10

cleave: Deuteronomy 10:20, Deuteronomy 30:20, Joshua 22:5, Joshua 23:8, Matthew 16:24, 1 Corinthians 15:58

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:24 - cleave Numbers 14:24 - followed me Numbers 35:28 - he should Deuteronomy 4:4 - General Deuteronomy 11:22 - to cleave Joshua 24:15 - as for me Ruth 1:17 - but death 2 Samuel 15:21 - surely 2 Samuel 20:2 - the men 2 Kings 2:4 - As the Lord 2 Kings 18:6 - he clave 1 Chronicles 22:19 - set your 2 Chronicles 9:3 - seen the wisdom 2 Chronicles 11:16 - set Nehemiah 10:29 - clave Psalms 51:10 - right Psalms 78:8 - whose Psalms 119:31 - stuck Proverbs 4:13 - Take Isaiah 56:6 - join Jeremiah 50:5 - Come Luke 5:20 - he saw Luke 15:6 - his Acts 2:42 - they Acts 15:32 - being Romans 1:12 - that I may Romans 11:22 - if thou Romans 12:9 - cleave Romans 12:15 - Rejoice 1 Corinthians 1:4 - thank 2 Corinthians 7:7 - but 2 Corinthians 8:1 - the grace Ephesians 4:12 - perfecting Philippians 1:25 - for Philippians 4:1 - so Colossians 1:23 - ye continue 1 Thessalonians 3:8 - if 1 Thessalonians 5:21 - hold Titus 2:11 - the grace Hebrews 3:13 - exhort 1 Peter 2:19 - thankworthy 1 John 5:18 - keepeth

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Who when he came, and had seen the grace of God,.... The many instances of the powerful and efficacious grace of God in regeneration and conversion; the great goodness, love, and favour of God in enlightening, quickening, and converting so many souls; and the wonderful gifts of the Spirit bestowed upon many of them, fitting them for public use and service:

was glad; rejoiced at heart, and gave glory to God, as every good man will, at the success of the gospel in the conversion of sinners, let it be by what instrument or means it will, and at the gifts and grace bestowed on them:

and exhorted them all; in whom he saw the grace of God implanted, who had received the doctrine of the grace of God, and had gifts of grace qualifying them for usefulness, in some nation or another:

that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord; that is, with a fixed resolution in the grace and strength of Christ, they would hold to his person, exercising grace upon him, abide by his truths and ordinances, keep close to his people, adhere to his cause and interest, and hold on and out unto the end. The Arabic version takes "the purpose of heart" to be meant of Barnabas, and reads the words thus, "and he exhorted them according to the usual firmness of his heart, that they would continue in the faith of the Lord"; in the doctrine and grace of faith in Christ.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Had seen the grace of God - The favor, or mercy of God, in converting sinners to himself.

Was glad - Approved of what had been done in preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, and rejoiced that God had poured down his Spirit on them. The effect of a revival is to produce joy in the hearts of all those who love the Saviour.

And exhorted them all - Entreated them. They would be exposed to many trials and temptations, and he sought to secure their firm adherence to the cause of religion.

That with purpose of heart - With a firm mind; with a fixed, settled resolution that they would make this their settled plan of life, their main object. A purpose, πρόθεσις prothesis, is a resolution of the mind, a plan, or intention, Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 3:11; 2Ti 1:9; 2 Timothy 3:10. It is especially a resolution of the mind in regard to future conduct, and the doctrine of Barnabas here was, undoubtedly, that it should be a regular, fixed, determined plan or design in their minds that they would henceforward adhere to God. Such a plan should be formed by all Christians in the beginning of their Christian life, and without such a plan there can be no evidence of piety. We may also remark that such a plan is one of the heart. It is not simply of the understanding, but is of the entire mind, including the will and affections. It is the leading principle; the strongest affection; the guiding purpose of the will to adhere to God, and, unless this is the prevalent, governing desire of the heart, there can be no evidence of conversion.

They would cleave - Greek: that they would remain; that is, that they would adhere constantly and faithfully attached to the Lord.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 11:23. Had seen the grace of God — That is, had seen the effects produced by the grace of God. By the grace of God, we are to understand:

1. His favour.

2. The manifestations of that favour in the communication of spiritual blessings. And,

3. Principles of light, life, holiness, c., producing effects demonstrative of the causes from which they sprung.

Barnabas saw that these people were objects of the Divine approbation that they were abundantly blessed and edified together as a Christian Church; and that they had received especial influences from God, by his indwelling Spirit, which were to them incentives to faith, hope, and love, and also principles of conduct.

Was glad, — Not envious because God had blessed the labours of others of his Master's servants, but rejoiced to find that the work of salvation was carried on by such instruments as God chose, and condescended to use. They who cannot rejoice in the conversion of sinners, because they have not been the means of it, or because such converts or their ministers have not precisely the same views of certain doctrines which they have themselves, show that they have little, if any thing, of the mind that was in Christ, in them.

With purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. — These converts had begun well; they must continue and persevere: God gave them the grace, the principle of life and action; it was their business to use this. If they did not, the gift would be resumed. Barnabas well knew that they must have the grace of God in them to enable them to do any good; but he knew, also, that its being in them did not necessarily imply that it must continue there. God had taught him that if they were not workers together with that grace they would receive it in vain; i.e., the end for which it was given would not be answered. He therefore exhorted them, τηπροθεσειτηςκαρδιας, with determination of heart, with set, fixed purpose and resolution, that they would cleave unto the Lord, προσμενειντωκυριω, to remain with the Lord; to continue in union and fellowship with him; to be faithful in keeping his truth, and obedient in the practice of it. To be a Christian is to be united to Christ, to be of one spirit with him: to continue to be a Christian is to continue in that union. It is absurd to talk of being children of God, and of absolute, final perseverance, when the soul has lost its spiritual union. There is no perseverance but in cleaving to the Lord: he who in his works denies him does not cleave to him. Such a one is not of God; if he ever had the salvation of God, he has lost it; he is fallen from grace; nor is there a word in the book of God, fairly and honestly understood, that says such a person shall absolutely and unavoidably arise from his fall.


 
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