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Selected Verse: Acts 9:15 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ac 9:15	Strong Concordance	But [1161] the Lord [2962] said [2036] unto [4314] him [846], Go thy way [4198]: for [3754] he [3778] is [2076] a chosen [1589] vessel [4632] unto me [3427], to bear [941] my [3450] name [3686] before [1799] the Gentiles [1484], and [2532] kings [935], and [5037] the children [5207] of Israel [2474]:
	King James	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:

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Go thy way--Do as thou art bidden, without gainsaying. he is a chosen vessel--a word often used by Paul in illustrating God's sovereignty in election (Rom 9:21-23; Co2 4:7; Ti2 2:20-21 [ALFORD]. Compare Zac 3:2).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Go thy way--Do as thou art bidden, without gainsaying.

he is a chosen vessel--a word often used by Paul in illustrating God's sovereignty in election (Rom 9:21-23; Co2 4:7; Ti2 2:20-21 [ALFORD]. Compare Zac 3:2).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Go thy way - This is often the only answer that we obtain to the suggestion of our doubts and hesitations about duty. God tells us still to do what he requires, with an assurance only that his commands are just, and that there are good reasons for them. A chosen vessel - The usual meaning of the word "vessel" is well known. It commonly denotes a "cup or basin," such as is used in a house. It then denotes "any instrument which may be used to accomplish a purpose, perhaps particularly with the notion of conveying or communicating." In the Scriptures it is used to denote the "instrument" or "agent" which God employs to convey his favors to mankind, and is thus employed to represent the ministers of the gospel, Co2 4:7; Th1 4:4. Compare Isa 10:5-7. Paul is called "chosen" because Christ had "selected" him, as he did his other apostles, for this service. See the notes on Joh 15:16. To bear my name - To communicate the knowledge of me. Before the Gentiles - The nations; all who were not Jews. This was the principal employment of Paul. He spent his life in this, and regarded himself as especially called to be the apostle of the Gentiles, Rom 11:13; Rom 15:16; Gal 2:8. And kings - This was fulfilled, Act 25:23, etc.; Act 26:32; Act 27:24. And the children of Israel - The Jews. This was done. He immediately began to preach to them, Act 9:20-22. Wherever he went, he preached the gospel first to them, and then to the Gentiles, Act 13:46; Act 28:17.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Chosen vessel (σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς) Lit., an instrument of choice. On vessel, see on Mat 12:29; and on the figure, compare Co2 4:7.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
He is a chosen vessel to bear my name - That is, to testify of me. It is undeniable, that some men are unconditionally chosen or elected, to do some works for God

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Go thy way - He was thus prevented from going farther in his reasoning on this subject. He is a chosen vessel unto me - The word σκευος in Greek, and כלי Keley in Hebrew, though they literally signify a vessel, yet they are both used to signify any kind of instrument, or the means by which an act is done. In the Tract. Sohar Exod. fol. 87, on these words of Boaz to Ruth, Rut 2:9, When thou art athirst, go unto the vessels and drink, etc., there are these remarkable words. "כלי keley, vessels; that is, the righteous, who are called the vessels or instruments of Jehovah; for it is decreed that the whole world shall bring gifts to the King Messiah; and these are the vessels of the Lord: vessels, I say, which the holy and blessed God uses, although they be brittle; but they are brittle only in this world, that they may establish the law and the worship with which the holy and blessed God is worshipped in this world; neither can this ministry be exercised but by vessels or instruments." This mode of speech was common also among the Greek and Roman writers. So Polybius, speaking of Damocles, Excerpta, vol. iii. lib. 13, [Edit. Ernesti], says, Ην ὑπηρετικον σκευος, και πολλας εχων εφορμας εις πραγματων οικονομιαν. "He was a useful instrument, and fit for the management of affairs." We find Paul, in Th1 4:4, using the same word, σκευος, for the body, agreeable to the expression of Lucretius, iii. 441, Corpus, quod Vas quasi constitit ejus. "The Body, which is the Vessel or instrument of the soul." See Bp. Pearce on this passage. Chosen vessel. - Σκευος εκλογης is properly a Hebraism, for an excellent or well-adapted instrument. Every reader of the Bible must have noticed how often the word chosen is used there to signify excelling or eminent: so we use the word choice, "choice men," eminent persons; "choice things," excellent articles. So in Jer 22:7 : They shall cut down the choice cedars, וכרתו מבחר ארזיך vecaretu Mibchar arazeyca; και εκκοψουσι τας εκλεκτας κεδρους σου, Sept. They shall cut the most Excellent of thy cedars; or thy cedar trees, which are the most excellent of their kind, they will cut down. Whoever considers the character of St. Paul, his education, attainments in natural knowledge, the distinguished part he took - first against Christianity, and afterwards, on the fullest conviction, the part he took in its favor - will at once perceive how well he was every way qualified for the great work to which God had called him. To bear my name before the Gentiles - To carry the ensign of the cross among the Greeks and Romans; and, by the demonstration of the Spirit, to confound their wisdom and learning, and prove that neither salvation nor happiness could be found in any other. Hence he was emphatically called, the apostle of the Gentiles, Ti1 2:7; Ti2 1:11. See also Gal 2:7, Gal 2:8, and Eph 3:8.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

Go thy way - He was thus prevented from going farther in his reasoning on this subject.

He is a chosen vessel unto me - The word σκευος in Greek, and כלי Keley in Hebrew, though they literally signify a vessel, yet they are both used to signify any kind of instrument, or the means by which an act is done. In the Tract. Sohar Exod. fol. 87, on these words of Boaz to Ruth, Rut 2:9, When thou art athirst, go unto the vessels and drink, etc., there are these remarkable words. "כלי keley, vessels; that is, the righteous, who are called the vessels or instruments of Jehovah; for it is decreed that the whole world shall bring gifts to the King Messiah; and these are the vessels of the Lord: vessels, I say, which the holy and blessed God uses, although they be brittle; but they are brittle only in this world, that they may establish the law and the worship with which the holy and blessed God is worshipped in this world; neither can this ministry be exercised but by vessels or instruments."

This mode of speech was common also among the Greek and Roman writers. So Polybius, speaking of Damocles, Excerpta, vol. iii. lib. 13, [Edit. Ernesti], says, Ην ὑπηρετικον σκευος, και πολλας εχων εφορμας εις πραγματων οικονομιαν. "He was a useful instrument, and fit for the management of affairs." We find Paul, in Th1 4:4, using the same word, σκευος, for the body, agreeable to the expression of Lucretius, iii. 441, Corpus, quod Vas quasi constitit ejus. "The Body, which is the Vessel or instrument of the soul." See Bp. Pearce on this passage.

Chosen vessel. - Σκευος εκλογης is properly a Hebraism, for an excellent or well-adapted instrument. Every reader of the Bible must have noticed how often the word chosen is used there to signify excelling or eminent: so we use the word choice, "choice men," eminent persons; "choice things," excellent articles. So in Jer 22:7 : They shall cut down the choice cedars, וכרתו מבחר ארזיך vecaretu Mibchar arazeyca; και εκκοψουσι τας εκλεκτας κεδρους σου, Sept. They shall cut the most Excellent of thy cedars; or thy cedar trees, which are the most excellent of their kind, they will cut down. Whoever considers the character of St. Paul, his education, attainments in natural knowledge, the distinguished part he took - first against Christianity, and afterwards, on the fullest conviction, the part he took in its favor - will at once perceive how well he was every way qualified for the great work to which God had called him.

To bear my name before the Gentiles - To carry the ensign of the cross among the Greeks and Romans; and, by the demonstration of the Spirit, to confound their wisdom and learning, and prove that neither salvation nor happiness could be found in any other. Hence he was emphatically called, the apostle of the Gentiles, Ti1 2:7; Ti2 1:11. See also Gal 2:7, Gal 2:8, and Eph 3:8.

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² And the LORD [03068] said [0559] unto Satan [07854], The LORD [03068] rebuke [01605] thee, O Satan [07854]; even the LORD [03068] that hath chosen [0977] Jerusalem [03389] rebuke [01605] thee: is not this a brand [0181] plucked [05337] out of the fire [0784]?

²⁰ But [1161] in [1722] a great [3173] house [3614] there are [2076] not [3756] only [3440] vessels [4632] of gold [5552] and [2532] of silver [693], but [235] also [2532] of wood [3585] and [2532] of earth [3749]; and [2532] some [3739] [3303] to [1519] honour [5092], and [1161] some [3739] to [1519] dishonour [819].
²¹ If [1437] a man [5100] therefore [3767] purge [1571] himself [1438] from [575] these [5130], he shall be [2071] a vessel [4632] unto [1519] honour [5092], sanctified [37], and [2532] meet [2173] for the master's use [1203], and prepared [2090] unto [1519] every [3956] good [18] work [2041].

⁷ But [1161] we have [2192] this [5126] treasure [2344] in [1722] earthen [3749] vessels [4632], that [2443] the excellency [5236] of the power [1411] may be [5600] of God [2316], and [2532] not [3361] of [1537] us [2257].

²¹ [2228] Hath [2192] not [3756] the potter [2763] power [1849] over the clay [4081], of [1537] the same [846] lump [5445] to [3739] [3303] make [4160] one vessel [4632] unto [1519] honour [5092], and [1161] another [3739] unto [1519] dishonour [819]?
²² What if [1487] [1161] God [2316], willing [2309] to shew [1731] his wrath [3709], and [2532] to make [1107] his [846] power [1415] known [1107], endured [5342] with [1722] much [4183] longsuffering [3115] the vessels [4632] of wrath [3709] fitted [2675] to [1519] destruction [684]:
²³ And [2532] that [2443] he might make known [1107] the riches [4149] of his [846] glory [1391] on [1909] the vessels [4632] of mercy [1656], which [3739] he had afore prepared [4282] unto [1519] glory [1391],

¹⁷ And [1161] it came to pass [1096], that after [3326] three [5140] days [2250] Paul [3972] called [4779] the chief [4413] [5607] of the Jews [2453] together [4779]: and [1161] when they [846] were come together [4905], he said [3004] unto [4314] them [846], Men [435] and brethren [80], though I [1473] have committed [4160] nothing [3762] against [1727] the people [2992], or [2228] customs [1485] of our fathers [3971], yet was I delivered [3860] prisoner [1198] from [1537] Jerusalem [2414] into [1519] the hands [5495] of the Romans [4514].

⁴⁶ Then [1161] Paul [3972] and [2532] Barnabas [921] waxed bold [3955], and said [2036], It was [2258] necessary [316] that the word [3056] of God [2316] should [2980] first [4412] have been spoken [2980] to you [5213]: but [1161] seeing [1894] ye put [683] it [846] from you [683], and [2532] judge [2919] yourselves [1438] unworthy [3756] [514] of everlasting [166] life [2222], lo [2400], we turn [4762] to [1519] the Gentiles [1484].

²⁰ And [2532] straightway [2112] he preached [2784] Christ [5547] in [1722] the synagogues [4864], that [3754] he [3778] is [2076] the Son [5207] of God [2316].
²¹ But [1161] all [3956] that heard [191] him were amazed [1839], and [2532] said [3004]; Is [2076] not [3756] this [3778] he that destroyed [4199] them which [3588] called on [1941] this [5124] name [3686] in [1722] Jerusalem [2419], and [2532] came [2064] hither [5602] for [1519] that [5124] intent [1519], that [2443] he might bring [71] them [846] bound [1210] unto [1909] the chief priests [749]?
²² But [1161] Saul [4569] increased [1743] the more [3123] in strength [1743], and [2532] confounded [4797] the Jews [2453] which [3588] dwelt [2730] at [1722] Damascus [1154], proving [4822] that [3754] this [3778] is [2076] very Christ [5547].

²⁴ Saying [3004], Fear [5399] not [3361], Paul [3972]; thou [4571] must [1163] be brought before [3936] Caesar [2541]: and [2532], lo [2400], God [2316] hath given [5483] thee [4671] all [3956] them that sail [4126] with [3326] thee [4675].

³² Then [1161] said [5346] Agrippa [67] unto Festus [5347], This [3778] man [444] might [1410] have been set at liberty [630], if [1508] he had [1941] not [1508] appealed unto [1941] Caesar [2541].

²³ And on the morrow [1887], when [3767] Agrippa [67] was come [2064], and [2532] Bernice [959], with [3326] great [4183] pomp [5325], and [2532] was entered [1525] into [1519] the place of hearing [201], with [4862] [5037] the chief captains [5506], and [2532] principal [2596] [1851] men [435] of [5607] the city [4172], at [2532] Festus [5347]' commandment [2753] Paul [3972] was brought forth [71].

⁸ (For [1063] he that wrought effectually [1754] in Peter [4074] to [1519] the apostleship [651] of the circumcision [4061], the same [2532] was mighty [1754] in me [1698] toward [1519] the Gentiles [1484]:)

¹⁶ That I [3165] should be [1519] [1511] the minister [3011] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] to [1519] the Gentiles [1484], ministering [2418] the gospel [2098] of God [2316], that [2443] the offering up [4376] of the Gentiles [1484] might be [1096] acceptable [2144], being sanctified [37] by [1722] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151].

¹³ For [1063] I speak [3004] to you [5213] Gentiles [1484], inasmuch as [1909] [3745] [3303] I [1473] am [1510] the apostle [652] of the Gentiles [1484], I magnify [1392] mine [3450] office [1248]:

¹⁶ Ye [5210] have [1586] not [3756] chosen [1586] me [3165], but [235] I [1473] have chosen [1586] you [5209], and [2532] ordained [5087] you [5209], that [2443] ye [5210] should go [5217] and [2532] bring forth [5342] fruit [2590], and [2532] that your [5216] fruit [2590] should remain [3306]: that [2443] whatsoever [3739] [302] [3748] ye shall ask [154] of the Father [3962] in [1722] my [3450] name [3686], he may give it [1325] you [5213].

⁵ O [01945] Assyrian [0804], the rod [07626] of mine anger [0639], and the staff [04294] in their hand [03027] is mine indignation [02195].
⁶ I will send [07971] him against an hypocritical [02611] nation [01471], and against the people [05971] of my wrath [05678] will I give him a charge [06680], to take [07997] the spoil [07998], and to take [0962] the prey [0957], and to tread them down [07760] [04823] like the mire [02563] of the streets [02351].
⁷ Howbeit he meaneth [01819] not so, neither doth his heart [03824] think [02803] so; but it is in his heart [03824] to destroy [08045] and cut off [03772] nations [01471] not a few [04592].

⁴ That every one [1538] of you [5216] should know [1492] how to possess [2932] his [1438] vessel [4632] in [1722] sanctification [38] and [2532] honour [5092];

²⁹ Or [2228] else how [4459] can [1410] one [5100] enter [1525] into [1519] a strong man's [2478] house [3614], and [2532] spoil [1283] his [846] goods [4632], except [3362] he first [4412] bind [1210] the strong man [2478]? and [2532] then [5119] he will spoil [1283] his [846] house [3614].

⁸ Unto me [1698], who am less than the least [1647] of all [3956] saints [40], is [1325] this [3778] grace [5485] given [1325], that I should preach [2097] among [1722] the Gentiles [1484] the unsearchable [421] riches [4149] of Christ [5547];

⁷ But [235] contrariwise [5121], when they saw [1492] that [3754] the gospel [2098] of the uncircumcision [203] was committed unto me [4100], as [2531] the gospel of the circumcision [4061] was unto Peter [4074];

¹¹ Whereunto [1519] [3739] I [1473] am appointed [5087] a preacher [2783], and [2532] an apostle [652], and [2532] a teacher [1320] of the Gentiles [1484].

⁷ Whereunto [1519] [3739] I [1473] am ordained [5087] a preacher [2783], and [2532] an apostle [652], (I speak [3004] the truth [225] in [1722] Christ [5547], and lie [5574] not [3756];) a teacher [1320] of the Gentiles [1484] in [1722] faith [4102] and [2532] verity [225].

⁷ And I will prepare [06942] destroyers [07843] against thee, every one [0376] with his weapons [03627]: and they shall cut down [03772] thy choice [04005] cedars [0730], and cast [05307] them into the fire [0784].

⁴ That every one [1538] of you [5216] should know [1492] how to possess [2932] his [1438] vessel [4632] in [1722] sanctification [38] and [2532] honour [5092];

⁹ Let thine eyes [05869] be on the field [07704] that they do reap [07114], and go [01980] thou after [0310] them: have I not charged [06680] the young men [05288] that they shall not touch [05060] thee? and when thou art athirst [06770], go [01980] unto the vessels [03627], and drink [08354] of that which the young men [05288] have drawn [07579].