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Selected Verse: Acts 7:38 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Ac 7:38 |
Strong Concordance |
This [3778] is he [2076], that was [1096] in [1722] the church [1577] in [1722] the wilderness [2048] with [3326] the angel [32] which [3588] spake [2980] to him [846] in [1722] the mount [3735] Sina [4614], and [2532] with our [2257] fathers [3962]: who [3739] received [1209] the lively [2198] oracles [3051] to give [1325] unto us [2254]: |
|
King James |
This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
in the church--the collective body of God's chosen people; hence used to denote the whole body of the faithful under the Gospel, or particular sections of them.
This is he that was in the church in the wilderness, with the angel . . . and with our fathers--alike near to the Angel of the Covenant, from whom he received all the institutions of the ancient economy, and to the people, to whom he faithfully reported the living oracles and among whom he set up the prescribed institutions. By this high testimony to Moses, Stephen rebuts the main charge for which he was on trial. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
In the church - The word "church" means literally "the people called out," and is applied with great propriety to the assembly or multitude called out of Egypt, and separated from the world. It has not, however, of necessity our idea of a church, but means the "assembly," or people called out of Egypt and placed under the conduct of Moses.
With the angel - In this place there is undoubted reference to the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. Yet that was done by God himself, Exo. 20: It is clear, therefore, that by "the angel" here, Stephen intends to designate him who was God. It may be observed, however, that "the Law" is represented as having been given by the ministry of an angel (in this place) and by the ministry of "angels," Act 7:53; Heb 2:2. The essential idea is, that God did it by a messenger, or by mediators. The "character" and "rank" of the messengers, or of the "principal" messenger, must be learned by looking at all the circumstances of the case.
The lively oracles - See Rom 3:2. The word "oracles" here means "commands" or "laws" of God. The word "lively," or "living" ζῶντα zōnta, stands in opposition to what is dead, or useless, and means what is vigorous, efficacious; and in this place it means that the commands were of such a nature, and given in such circumstances, as to secure attention; to produce obedience; to excite them to act for God - in opposition to laws which would fall powerless, and produce no effect. |
The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
church
Israel in the land is never called a church. In the wilderness Israel was a true church (Greek, "ecclesia" means "called-out assembly"), but in striking contrast with the New Testament ecclesia
(See Scofield) - (Mat 16:18).
angel
(See Scofield) - (Heb 1:4). |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Lively
Better, living, as Rev. Compare Pe1 2:4, Pe1 2:5. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
This is he - Moses. With the angel, and with our fathers - As a mediator between them. Who received the living oracles - Every period beginning with, And the Lord said unto Moses, is properly an oracle. But the oracles here intended are chiefly the ten commandments. These are termed living, because all the word of God, applied by his Spirit, is living and powerful, Heb 4:12, enlightening the eyes, rejoicing the heart, converting the soul, raising the dead. Exo 19:3. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
With the angel which spake to him - Stephen shows that Moses received the law by the ministry of angels; and that he was only a mediator between the angel of God and them.
The lively oracles - Λογια ζωντα, The living oracles. The doctrines of life, those doctrines - obedience to which entitled them, by the promise of God, to a long life upon earth, which spoke to them of that spiritual life which every true believer has in union with his God, and promised that eternal life which those who are faithful unto death shall enjoy with him in the realms of glory.
The Greek word λογιον, which we translate oracle, signifies a Divine revelation, a communication from God himself, and is here applied to the Mosaic law; to the Old Testament in general, Rom 3:2; Heb 5:12; and to Divine revelation in general, Pe1 4:11. |
2 Much [4183] every [2596] [3956] way [5158]: chiefly [4412], because [3303] [1063] that [3754] unto them were committed [4100] the oracles [3051] of God [2316].
2 For [1063] if [1487] the word [3056] spoken [2980] by [1223] angels [32] was [1096] stedfast [949], and [2532] every [3956] transgression [3847] and [2532] disobedience [3876] received [2983] a just [1738] recompence of reward [3405];
53 Who [3748] have received [2983] the law [3551] by [1519] the disposition [1296] of angels [32], and [2532] have [5442] not [3756] kept [5442] it.
4 Being made [1096] so much [5118] better than [2909] the angels [32], as [3745] he hath by inheritance obtained [2816] a more excellent [1313] name [3686] than [3844] they [846].
18 And [1161] I say [3004] also [2504] unto thee [4671], That [3754] thou [4771] art [1488] Peter [4074], and [2532] upon [1909] this [5026] rock [4073] I will build [3618] my [3450] church [1577]; and [2532] the gates [4439] of hell [86] shall [2729] not [3756] prevail against [2729] it [846].
5 Ye [846] also [2532], as [5613] lively [2198] stones [3037], are built up [3618] a spiritual [4152] house [3624], an holy [40] priesthood [2406], to offer up [399] spiritual [4152] sacrifices [2378], acceptable [2144] to God [2316] by [1223] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547].
4 To [4314] whom [3739] coming [4334], as unto a living [2198] stone [3037], disallowed [593] indeed [3303] of [5259] men [444], but [1161] chosen [1588] of [3844] God [2316], and precious [1784],
3 And Moses [04872] went up [05927] unto God [0430], and the LORD [03068] called [07121] unto him out of the mountain [02022], saying [0559], Thus shalt thou say [0559] to the house [01004] of Jacob [03290], and tell [05046] the children [01121] of Israel [03478];
12 For [1063] the word [3056] of God [2316] is quick [2198], and [2532] powerful [1756], and [2532] sharper [5114] than [5228] any [3956] twoedged [1366] sword [3162], piercing [1338] even to [891] the dividing asunder [3311] of soul [5590] and [5037] [2532] spirit [4151], and [5037] [2532] of the joints [719] and [2532] marrow [3452], and [2532] is a discerner [2924] of the thoughts [1761] and [2532] intents [1771] of the heart [2588].
11 If any man [1536] speak [2980], let him speak as [5613] the oracles [3051] of God [2316]; if any man [1536] minister [1247], let him do it as [5613] of [1537] the ability [2479] which [3739] God [2316] giveth [5524]: that [2443] God [2316] in [1722] all things [3956] may be glorified [1392] through [1223] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], to whom [3739] be [2076] praise [1391] and [2532] dominion [2904] for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165]. Amen [281].
12 For [2532] [1063] when for [1223] the time [5550] ye ought [3784] to be [1511] teachers [1320], ye have [2192] need [5532] that one teach [1321] you [5209] again [3825] which [5101] be the first [746] principles [4747] of the oracles [3051] of God [2316]; and [2532] are become such as [1096] have [2192] need [5532] of milk [1051], and [2532] not [3756] of strong [4731] meat [5160].
2 Much [4183] every [2596] [3956] way [5158]: chiefly [4412], because [3303] [1063] that [3754] unto them were committed [4100] the oracles [3051] of God [2316].