Acts 26:20

Geneva Bible (1560)

But shewed first vnto them of Damascus, and at Hierusalem, & throughout all the coasts of Iudea, & then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turne to God, and doe workes worthy amendement of life.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ἀλλὰ τοῖς ἐν Δαμασκῷ πρῶτον, καὶ Ἱεροσολύμοις, εἰς πᾶσάν τε τὴν χώραν τῆς Ἰουδαίας, καὶ τοῖς Ἔθνεσιν, ἀπήγγελλον μετανοεῖν καὶ ἐπιστρέφειν ἐπὶ τὸν Θεόν, ἄξια τῆς μετανοίας ἔργα πράσσοντας.

Transliteration

But to those in Damaskō prōton, and Hierosolymois, to all te the chōran of Ioudaias, and to the Ethnesin, I apēngellon to metanoein and to epistrephein to the Theon, worthy of the metanoias erga prassontas.

Grammar Details

• *Damaskō*: dative, feminine, singular - Damascus
• *prōton*: adverb - first
• *Hierosolymois*: dative, neuter, plural - Jerusalem
• *te*: conjunction - and/also
• *chōran*: accusative, feminine, singular - region/country
• *Ioudaias*: genitive, feminine, singular - Judea
• *Ethnesin*: dative, neuter, plural - Gentiles/nations
• *apēngellon*: imperfect active, 1st singular - I was proclaiming
• *metanoein*: present active infinitive - to repent
• *epistrephein*: present active infinitive - to turn
• *Theon*: accusative, masculine, singular - God
• *metanoias*: genitive, feminine, singular - repentance
• *erga*: accusative, neuter, plural - works/deeds
• *prassontas*: present active participle, accusative, masculine, plural - doing/practicing

Word Meanings

• *prōton*: first/firstly/at first
• *chōran*: region/country/land
• *Ethnesin*: Gentiles/nations/peoples
• *apēngellon*: I was proclaiming/declaring/announcing
• *metanoein*: to repent/to change one's mind
• *epistrephein*: to turn/to return/to convert
• *metanoias*: repentance/change of mind
• *erga*: works/deeds/actions
• *prassontas*: doing/practicing/performing

Referenced Verses

• Matt 3:8 : 8 Bring foorth therefore fruite worthy amendement of life.
• Acts 3:19 : 19 Amend your liues therefore, and turne, that your sinnes may be put away, whe the time of refreshing shal come from the presence of the Lord.
• Acts 2:38 : 38 Then Peter said vnto them, Amend your liues, and bee baptized euery one of you in the Name of Iesus Christ for the remission of sinnes: and ye shall receiue the gift of the holy Ghost.
• Matt 9:13 : 13 But goe yee and learne what this is, I will haue mercie, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance.
• Acts 9:35 : 35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron, sawe him, and turned to the Lord.
• Acts 11:18 : 18 When they heard these things, they helde their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles graunted repentance vnto life.
• Acts 11:26-30 : 26 And when he had founde him, he brought him vnto Antiochia: and it came to passe that a whole yere they were conuersant with ye Church, and taught much people, in so much that the disciples were first called Christians in Antiochia. 27 In those dayes also came Prophets from Hierusalem vnto Antiochia. 28 And there stoode vp one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit, that there should be great famine throughout all the world, which also came to passe vnder Claudius Cesar. 29 Then the disciples, euery man according to his habilitie, purposed to sende succour vnto the brethren which dwelt in Iudea. 30 Which thing they also did, and sent it to the Elders, by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
• Acts 13:46-48 : 46 Then Paul and Barnabas spake boldly, and sayde, It was necessarie that the woorde of God shoulde first haue beene spoken vnto you: but seeing yee put it from you, and iudge your selues vnworthie of euerlasting life, loe, we turne to the Gentiles. 47 For so hath the Lord commanded vs, saying, I haue made thee a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be the saluation vnto the end of the world. 48 And when the Gentiles heard it, they were glad, and glorified the woorde of the Lorde: and as many as were ordeined vnto eternall life, beleeued.
• Acts 14:15-21 : 15 And saying, O men, why doe yee these things? We are euen men subiect to the like passions that yee be, and preache vnto you, that yee shoulde turne from these vaine things vnto the liuing God, which made heauen and earth, and the sea, and all things that in them are: 16 Who in times past suffered all the Gentiles to walke in their owne waies. 17 Neuerthelesse, hee left not him selfe without witnes, in that hee did good and gaue vs raine from heauen, & fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with foode, and gladnesse. 18 And speaking these things, scarce appeased they the multitude, that they had not sacrificed vnto them. 19 Then there came certaine Iewes from Antiochia and Iconium, which when they had persuaded the people, stoned Paul, and drewe him out of the citie, supposing he had bene dead. 20 Howbeit, as the disciples stoode rounde about him, hee arose vp, and came into the citie, and the next day hee departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And after they had preached the glad tidings of the Gospel to that citie, and had taught many, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antiochia,
• Acts 15:19 : 19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them of the Gentiles that are turned to God,
• Acts 17:30 : 30 And the time of this ignorance God regarded not: but nowe hee admonisheth all men euery where to repent,
• Acts 20:21 : 21 Witnessing both to the Iewes, and to the Grecians the repentance towarde God, and faith toward our Lord Iesus Christ.
• Acts 22:17-22 : 17 And it came to passe, that when I was come againe to Hierusalem, and prayed in the Temple, I was in a traunce, 18 And saw him saying vnto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Hierusalem: for they will not receiue thy witnes concerning me. 19 Then I sayd, Lord, they know that I prisoned, and beat in euery Synagogue them that beleeued in thee. 20 And when the blood of thy martyr Steuen was shed, I also stood by, and consented vnto his death, & kept the clothes of them that slew him. 21 Then he sayd vnto me, Depart: for I will send thee farre hence vnto the Gentiles. 22 And they heard him vnto this worde, but then they lift vp their voyces, and sayd, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not meete that he should liue.
• Acts 26:17 : 17 Deliuering thee from this people, and from the Gentiles, vnto whom now I send thee,
• Rom 2:4 : 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his bountifulnesse, and patience, and long sufferance, not knowing that the bountifulnesse of God leadeth thee to repentance?
• Rom 11:18-20 : 18 Boast not thy selfe against the branches: and if thou boast thy selfe, thou bearest not the roote, but the roote thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches are broken off, that I might be graft in. 20 Well: through vnbeliefe they are broken off, and thou standest by faith: bee not hie minded, but feare.
• 2 Cor 3:16 : 16 Neuertheles when their heart shall be turned to the Lord, the vaile shalbe taken away.
• 2 Cor 7:10 : 10 For godly sorowe causeth repentance vnto saluation, not to be repented of: but the worldly sorowe causeth death.
• Eph 4:17-5:25 : 17 This I say therefore and testifie in the Lorde, that yee hencefoorth walke not as other Gentiles walke, in vanitie of their minde, 18 Hauing their vnderstanding darkened, and being strangers from the life of God through the ignorace that is in them, because of the hardnesse of their heart: 19 Which being past feeling, haue giuen themselues vnto wantonnesse, to woorke all vncleannesse, euen with griedinesse. 20 But yee haue not so learned Christ, 21 If so be yee haue heard him, and haue bene taught by him, as the trueth is in Iesus, 22 That is, that yee cast off, concerning the conuersation in time past, that olde man, which is corrupt through the deceiueable lustes, 23 And be renued in the spirit of your minde, 24 And put on ye new man, which after God is created vnto righteousnes, and true holines. 25 Wherefore cast off lying, and speake euery man truth vnto his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Bee angrie, but sinne not: let not the sunne goe downe vpon your wrath, 27 Neither giue place to the deuill. 28 Let him that stole, steale no more: but let him rather labour, and worke with his handes the thing which is good, that hee may haue to giue vnto him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt comunicatio proceed out of your mouths: but that which is good, to ye vse of edifying, that it may minister grace vnto the hearers. 30 And grieue not the holy Spirit of God, by whom ye are sealed vnto ye day of redemptio 31 Let all bitternesse, and anger, and wrath, crying, and euill speaking be put away from you, with all maliciousnesse. 32 Be ye courteous one to another, & tender hearted, freely forgiuing one another, euen as God for Christes sake, freely forgaue you. 1 Bee yee therefore followers of God, as deare children, 2 And walke in loue, euen as Christ hath loued vs, and hath giuen himselfe for vs, to be an offering and a sacrifice of a sweete smelling sauour to God. 3 But fornication, and all vncleannesse, or couetousnesse, let it not be once named among you, as it becommeth Saintes, 4 Neither filthinesse, neither foolish talking, neither iesting, which are things not comely, but rather giuing of thankes. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, neither vncleane person, nor couetous person, which is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdome of Christ, and of God. 6 Let no man deceiue you with vaine wordes: for, for such thinges commeth the wrath of God vpon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not therefore companions with them. 8 For ye were once darkenesse, but are nowe light in the Lord: walke as children of light, 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in al goodnes, and righteousnes, and trueth) 10 Approuing that which is pleasing to the Lorde. 11 And haue no fellowship with ye vnfruitfull works of darknes, but euen reproue them rather. 12 For it is shame euen to speake of the things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all thinges when they are reproued of the light, are manifest: for it is light that maketh all things manifest. 14 Wherefore hee sayeth, Awake thou that sleepest, and stande vp from the deade, and Christ shall giue thee light. 15 Take heede therefore that yee walke circumspectly, not as fooles, but as wise, 16 Redeeming ye season: for ye daies are euill. 17 Wherefore, be ye not vnwise, but vnderstand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunke with wine, wherein is excesse: but be fulfilled with the Spirit, 19 Speaking vnto your selues in psalmes, and hymnes, and spirituall songs, singing, and making melodie to the Lord in your hearts, 20 Giuing thankes alwaies for all thinges vnto God euen the Father, in the Name of our Lorde Iesus Christ, 21 Submitting your selues one to another in the feare of God. 22 Wiues, submit your selues vnto your husbands, as vnto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the wiues head, euen as Christ is the head of the Church, and the same is the sauiour of his body. 24 Therfore as the Church is in subiection to Christ, euen so let the wiues be to their husbads in euery thing. 25 Husbands, loue your wiues, euen as Christ loued the Church, & gaue himselfe for it,
• Eph 6:1-9 : 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father & mother (which is the first commandement with promes) 3 That it may be well with thee, and that thou mayst liue long on earth. 4 And ye, fathers, prouoke not your children to wrath: but bring them vp in instruction and information of the Lord. 5 Seruants, be obedient vnto them that are your masters, according to the flesh, with feare & trembling in singlenesse of your hearts as vnto Christ, 6 Not with seruice to the eye, as men pleasers, but as the seruants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 With good will, seruing the Lord, and not men. 8 And knowe ye that whatsoeuer good thing any man doeth, that same shall he receiue of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 9 And ye masters, doe the same things vnto them, putting away threatning: and know that euen your master also is in heauen, neither is there respect of person with him.
• 1 Thess 1:9 : 9 For they themselues shew of vs what maner of entring in we had vnto you, and how ye turned to God from idoles, to serue the liuing and true God,
• 2 Tim 2:25-26 : 25 Instructing them with meekenesse that are contrary minded, prouing if God at any time will giue them repentance, that they may acknowledge the trueth, 26 And come to amendement out of that snare of the deuil, of whom they are taken prisoners, to doe his will.
• Titus 2:2-9 : 2 That the elder men be watchful, graue, teperate, sounde in the faith, in loue, & in patience: 3 The elder women likewise, that they be in such behauiour as becommeth holinesse, not false accusers, not subiect to much wine, but teachers of honest things, 4 That they may instruct the yong women to be sober minded, that they loue their husbads, that they loue their children, 5 That they be temperate, chaste, keeping at home, good & subiect vnto their husbands, that the word of God be not euill spoken of. 6 Exhort yong men likewise, that they bee sober minded. 7 In all things shewe thy selfe an ensample of good woorkes with vncorrupt doctrine, with grauitie, integritie, 8 And with the wholesome woorde, which can not be condemned, that hee which withstandeth, may be ashamed, hauing nothing concerning you to speake euill of. 9 Let seruants be subiect to their masters, & please them in al things, not answering again, 10 Neither pickers, but that they shew al good faithfulnesse, that they may adorne the doctrine of God our Sauiour in all things. 11 For that grace of God, that bringeth saluation vnto all men, hath appeared, 12 And teacheth vs that we should denie vngodlinesse and worldly lusts, and that we should liue soberly and righteously, and godly in this present world, 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and appearing of that glorie of that mightie God, and of our Sauiour Iesus Christ,
• 1 Pet 1:14-16 : 14 As obedient children, not fashioning your selues vnto the former lustes of your ignorance: 15 But as hee which hath called you, is holie, so be yee holie in all maner of conuersation; 16 Because it is written, Be yee holie, for I am holie.
• 1 Pet 2:9-9 : 9 But yee are a chosen generation, a royall Priesthoode, an holy nation, a people set at libertie, that yee shoulde shewe foorth the vertues of him that hath called you out of darkenesse into his marueilous light, 10 Which in time past were not a people, yet are nowe the people of God: which in time past were not vnder mercie, but nowe haue obteined mercie. 11 Dearely beloued, I beseeche you, as strangers and pilgrims, absteine from fleshly lusts, which fight against the soule, 12 And haue your conuersation honest among the Gentiles, that they which speake euill of you as of euill doers, may by your good woorkes which they shall see, glorifie God in the day of visitation.
• 1 Pet 4:2-5 : 2 That he hence forward should liue (as much time as remaineth in the flesh) not after the lusts of men, but after the will of God. 3 For it is sufficient for vs that we haue spet the time past of ye life, after the lust of the Gentiles, walking in wantonnes, lustes, drunkenes, in gluttonie, drinkings, & in abominable idolatries. 4 Wherein it seemeth to them strange, that yee runne not with them vnto the same excesse of riot: therefore speake they euill of you, 5 Which shall giue accounts to him, that is readie to iudge quicke and dead.
• 2 Pet 1:5-8 : 5 Therefore giue euen all diligence thereunto: ioyne moreouer vertue with your faith: and with vertue, knowledge: 6 And with knowledge, temperance: and with temperance, patience: and with patience, godlines: 7 And with godlines, brotherly kindnes: and with brotherly kindnes, loue. 8 For if these things be among you, and abound, they will make you that ye neither shalbe idle, nor vnfruitfull in the acknowledging of our Lord Iesus Christ:
• Rev 2:5 : 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and doe the first workes: or els I will come against thee shortly, & will remooue thy candlesticke out of his place, except thou amend.
• Rev 2:21 : 21 And I gaue her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not.
• Rev 3:3 : 3 Remember therefore, how thou hast receiued and heard, & hold fast & repent. If therefore thou wilt not watch, I will come on thee as a thiefe, and thou shalt not know what houre I wil come vpo thee.
• Rev 16:11 : 11 And blasphemed the God of heauen for their paines, and for their sores, and repented not of their workes.
• Matt 21:30-32 : 30 Then came he to the second, and said likewise; he answered, and said, I will, Syr: yet he went not. 31 Whether of them twaine did the will of the father? They saide vnto him, The first. Iesus saide vnto them, Verely I say vnto you, that the Publicanes and the harlots goe before you into the kingdome of God. 32 For Iohn came vnto you in the way of righteousnes, and yee beleeued him not: but the Publicanes, and the harlots beleeued him, and ye, though ye sawe it, were not mooued with repentance afterward, that ye might beleeue him.
• Mark 6:12 : 12 And they went out, and preached, that men should amend their liues.
• Luke 1:16 : 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turne to their Lord God.
• Luke 3:8-9 : 8 Bring foorth therefore fruites worthy amendement of life, and beginne not to say with your selues, We haue Abraham to our father: for I say vnto you, that God is able of these stones to raise vp children vnto Abraham. 9 Nowe also is the axe layed vnto the roote of the trees: therefore euery tree which bringeth not foorth good fruite, shalbe hewen downe, and cast into the fire. 10 Then the people asked him, saying, What shall we doe then? 11 And he answered, and said vnto them, He that hath two coates, let him part with him that hath none: and hee that hath meate, let him doe likewise. 12 Then came there Publicanes also to bee baptized, and saide vnto him, Master, what shall we doe? 13 And hee saide vnto them, Require no more then that which is appointed vnto you. 14 The souldiers likewise demaunded of him, saying, And what shall we doe? And he saide vnto them, Doe violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your wages.
• Luke 13:3 : 3 I tell you, nay: but except ye amend your liues, ye shall all likewise perish.
• Luke 13:5 : 5 I tell you, nay: but except ye amend your liues, ye shall all likewise perish.
• Luke 15:7 : 7 I say vnto you, that likewise ioy shall be in heauen for one sinner that conuerteth, more then for ninetie and nine iust men, which neede none amendement of life.
• Luke 15:10 : 10 Likewise I say vnto you, there is ioy in the presence of the Angels of God, for one sinner that conuerteth.
• Luke 19:8-9 : 8 And Zaccheus stood forth, & said vnto the Lord, Beholde, Lord, the halfe of my goods I giue to the poore: and if I haue taken from any man by forged cauillation, I restore him foure folde. 9 Then Iesus said to him, This day is saluation come vnto this house, forasmuch as hee is also become the sonne of Abraham.
• Luke 24:46-47 : 46 And said vnto them, Thus is it written, and thus it behoued Christ to suffer, and to rise againe from the dead the third day, 47 And that repentance, and remission of sinnes should be preached in his Name among all nations, beginning at Hierusalem.
• Ps 22:27 : 27 All the endes of the worlde shall remember themselues, and turne to the Lord: and all the kinreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
• Isa 55:7 : 7 Let the wicked forsake his wayes, and the vnrighteous his owne imaginations, and returne vnto the Lord, and he wil haue mercy vpon him: and to our God, for hee is very ready to forgiue.
• Jer 31:19-20 : 19 Surely after that I conuerted, I repented: and after that I was instructed, I smote vpon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, euen confounded, because I did beare the reproch of my youth. 20 Is Ephraim my deare sonne or pleasant childe? yet since I spake vnto him, I still remembred him: therefore my bowels are troubled for him: I wil surely haue compassion vpon him, saith the Lorde.
• Lam 3:40 : 40 Let vs search and try our wayes, and turne againe to the Lord.
• Ezek 18:30-32 : 30 Therefore I will iudge you, O house of Israel, euery one according to his wayes, sayth the Lord God: returne therefore and cause others to turne away from all your transgressions: so iniquitie shall not be your destruction. 31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye haue transgressed, and make you a newe heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 32 For I desire not the death of him that dyeth, sayth the Lord God: cause therefore one another to returne, and liue ye.
• Hos 12:6 : 6 Therefore turne thou to thy God: keepe mercy and iudgement, and hope still in thy God.
• Hos 14:2 : 2 (14:3) Take vnto you words, & turne to the Lord, and say vnto him, Take away all iniquitie, and receiue vs graciously: so wil we render the calues of our lippes.
• Matt 3:2 : 2 And said, Repent: for the kingdome of heauen is at hand.
• Acts 9:15 : 15 Then the Lord said vnto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessell vnto me, to beare my Name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the children of Israel.
• Acts 9:19-29 : 19 And receiued meate, & was strengthened. So was Saul certaine dayes with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway hee preached Christ in the Synagogues, that he was that Sonne of God, 21 So that all that heard him, were amased, and sayde, Is not this hee, that made hauocke of them which called on this Name in Hierusalem, and came hither for that intent, that hee should bring them bound vnto the hie Priests? 22 But Saul encreased the more in strength, and confounded the Iewes which dwelt at Damascus, confirming, that this was that Christ. 23 And after that many dayes were fulfilled, the Iewes tooke counsell together, to kill him, 24 But their laying awayte was knowen of Saul: nowe they watched the gates day and night, that they might kill him. 25 Then the disciples tooke him by night, and put him through the wall, and let him downe by a rope in a basket. 26 And when Saul was come to Hierusalem, he assayed to ioyne himselfe with the disciples: but they were all afrayd of him, and beleeued not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas tooke him, and brought him to the Apostles, and declared to them, howe hee had seene the Lord in the way, and that hee had spoken vnto him, and how he had spoken boldly at Damascus in the Name of Iesus. 28 And hee was conuersant with them at Hierusalem, 29 And spake boldly in the Name of the Lord Iesus, and spake and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
• Matt 4:17 : 17 From that time Iesus began to preach, and to say, Amende your liues: for the kingdome of heauen is at hand.