Acts 9:15

KJV1611 – Modern English

But the Lord said to him, Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Εἶπεν δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ Κύριος, Πορεύου: ὅτι σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς μοι ἐστίν οὗτος, τοῦ βαστάσαι τὸ ὄνομά μου ἐνώπιον Ἐθνῶν, καὶ βασιλέων, υἱῶν τε Ἰσραήλ:

Transliteration

But eipen pros him the Kyrios, Poreuou: for skeuos eklogēs to me estin houtos, tou bastasai the onoma of me enōpion Ethnōn, and basileōn, huiōn both of Israēl:

Grammar Details

• *eipen*: aorist, active, 3rd singular - said/spoke
• *pros*: preposition + accusative - to/toward
• *Kyrios*: nominative, masculine, singular - Lord
• *Poreuou*: present imperative, middle, 2nd singular - go/proceed
• *skeuos*: nominative, neuter, singular - vessel/instrument
• *eklogēs*: genitive, feminine, singular - of choice/election
• *estin*: present, active, 3rd singular - is
• *houtos*: nominative, masculine, singular - this one
• *tou bastasai*: genitive article + aorist infinitive, active - to bear/carry
• *onoma*: accusative, neuter, singular - name
• *enōpion*: preposition + genitive - before/in the presence of
• *Ethnōn*: genitive, neuter, plural - Gentiles/nations
• *basileōn*: genitive, masculine, plural - kings
• *huiōn*: genitive, masculine, plural - sons
• *Israēl*: genitive, masculine, singular - Israel

Word Meanings

• *eipen*: said/spoke/told
• *Poreuou*: go/proceed/journey
• *skeuos*: vessel/instrument/container
• *eklogēs*: of choice/election/selection
• *bastasai*: to bear/carry/support
• *onoma*: name/title/reputation
• *enōpion*: before/in the presence of/in front of
• *Ethnōn*: Gentiles/nations/peoples
• *basileōn*: kings/rulers/monarchs
• *huiōn*: sons/descendants/children

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before Gentiles, kings, and the sons of Israel.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  But{G1161} the Lord{G2962} said{G2036} unto{G4314} him,{G846} Go thy way:{G4198} for{G3754} he{G3778} is{G2076} a chosen{G1589} vessel{G4632} unto me,{G3427} to bear{G941} my{G3450} name{G3686} before{G1799} the Gentiles{G1484} and{G2532} kings,{G935} and{G5037} the children{G5207} of Israel:{G2474}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  But{G1161} the Lord{G2962} said{G2036}{(G5627)} unto{G4314} him{G846}, Go thy way{G4198}{(G5737)}: for{G3754} he{G3778} is{G2076}{(G5748)} a chosen{G1589} vessel{G4632} unto me{G3427}, to bear{G941}{(G5658)} my{G3450} name{G3686} before{G1799} the Gentiles{G1484}, and{G2532} kings{G935}, and{G5037} the children{G5207} of Israel{G2474}:

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  The LORde sayde vnto him: Goo thy wayes: for he is a chosen vessell vnto me to beare my name before the gentyls and kynges and the chyldren of Israel.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  The LORDE sayde vnto him: Go thy waye, for this man is a chosen vessell vnto me, that he maye beare my name before the Heythen, and before kynges, and before the children of Israel.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  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.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  The Lord sayde vnto hym: Go thy way, for he is a chosen vessell vnto me, to beare my name before the gentiles, & kynges, and the chyldren of Israel.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  But the Lord said unto him, ‹Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:›

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  But the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  And the Lord said unto him, `Be going on, because a choice vessel to Me is this one, to bear My name before nations and kings -- the sons also of Israel;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel:

• American Standard Version (1901)

  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel:

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  But the Lord said, Go without fear: for he is a special vessel for me, to give to the Gentiles and kings and to the children of Israel the knowledge of my name:

• World English Bible (2000)

  But the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  But the Lord said to him,“Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel.

Referenced Verses

• Eph 3:7-8 : 7 Of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. 8 To me, who am less than the least of all saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
• Gal 1:15-16 : 15 But when it pleased God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,
• Acts 13:2 : 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
• Rom 1:5 : 5 Through whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name;
• Rom 11:13 : 13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
• 1 Tim 2:7 : 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth in Christ, and do not lie), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
• 2 Tim 4:16-17 : 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. I pray that it may not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be fully preached through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.
• Acts 22:21 : 21 And he said to me, Depart, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.
• Acts 25:22-26:11 : 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, I would also like to hear the man myself. Tomorrow, he said, you shall hear him. 23 So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered into the audience hall with the chief captains and prominent men of the city, at Festus' command, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men who are present with us, you see this man, about whom all the Jews have petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and since he himself has appealed to Augustus, I have decided to send him. 26 I have nothing definite to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him before you, and especially before you, O King Agrippa, so that after the examination I may have something to write. 27 For it seems unreasonable to send a prisoner without signifying the charges against him. 1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, You are permitted to speak for yourself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and answered for himself: 2 I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews: 3 Especially because I know you to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: therefore, I beseech you to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know; 5 Who knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers: 7 To which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God day and night, hope to attain. For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 9 I truly thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
• Acts 26:17-20 : 17 Delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith that is in me. 19 Whereupon, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: 20 But showed first to those of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works fitting for repentance.
• Acts 26:32 : 32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar.
• Acts 27:24 : 24 Saying, Do not fear, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar: and indeed, God has granted you all those who sail with you.
• Acts 28:17-Rom 1:1 : 17 After three days, Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. When they had come together, he said to them, Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they wanted to release me, because there was no cause for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything to accuse my nation of. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 21 And they said to him, We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think, for concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against. 23 And when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some did not believe. 25 And when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word, The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, Go to this people and say, Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you will see, and not perceive. 27 For the heart of this people has grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn, so that I should heal them. 28 Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it. 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. 30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. 1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
• Exod 4:12-14 : 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall say. 13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray, by the hand of him whom you will send. 14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he comes forth to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.
• Jer 1:5 : 5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.
• Jer 1:7 : 7 But the LORD said to me, Do not say, I am a child: for you shall go to all to whom I shall send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
• Jonah 3:1-2 : 1 And the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying, 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you.
• Matt 10:18 : 18 And you shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
• John 15:16 : 16 You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you ask of the Father in my name, He may give it to you.
• Rom 15:15-21 : 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written to you more boldly in part, to remind you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 That I should be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in what pertains to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in making the Gentiles obedient by word and deed, 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so from Jerusalem and all around to Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 Yes, I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation: 21 But as it is written, Those who have not been told of him shall see, and those who have not heard shall understand.
• 1 Cor 15:10 : 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
• Gal 1:1 : 1 Paul, an apostle, not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead,
• Rom 1:13-15 : 13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, (but was hindered until now,) that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among other Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are at Rome also.
• Rom 9:21-24 : 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? 22 What if God, willing to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction: 23 And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 Even us whom He has called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?
• Acts 21:19 : 19 And when he had greeted them, he declared in detail what things God had done among the Gentiles by his ministry.
• Rev 17:14 : 14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with him are called, chosen, and faithful.
• 2 Tim 1:11 : 11 To which I am appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
• 2 Tim 2:4 : 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
• 2 Tim 2:20-21 : 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
• Gal 2:7-9 : 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised was committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter; 8 (For He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked mightily in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
• Col 1:25-29 : 25 Of which I was made a minister, according to the stewardship of God given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to his working, which works mightily in me.