Spurgeon on Acts 13:48

[Skala]

Act 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

“Attempts have been made to prove that these words do not teach predestination, but these attempts so clearly do violence to language that I shall not waste time in answering them. I read: ‘As many as were ordained to eternal life believed’, and I shall not twist the text but shall glorify the grace of God by ascribing to that grace the faith of every man. Is it not God who gives the disposition to believe? If men are disposed to have eternal life, does not He—in every case—dispose them? Is it wrong for God to give grace? If it be right for Him to give it, is it wrong for Him to purpose to give it? Would you have Him give it by accident? If it is right for Him to purpose to give grace today, it was right for Him to purpose it before today—and, since He changes not—from eternity.”

Charles Spurgeon

 

[guuila]

Act 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

“Attempts have been made to prove that these words do not teach predestination, but these attempts so clearly do violence to language that I shall not waste time in answering them. I read: ‘As many as were ordained to eternal life believed’, and I shall not twist the text but shall glorify the grace of God by ascribing to that grace the faith of every man. Is it not God who gives the disposition to believe? If men are disposed to have eternal life, does not He—in every case—dispose them? Is it wrong for God to give grace? If it be right for Him to give it, is it wrong for Him to purpose to give it? Would you have Him give it by accident? If it is right for Him to purpose to give grace today, it was right for Him to purpose it before today—and, since He changes not—from eternity.”

Charles Spurgeon

Spurgeon was a fine Calvinist.

 

[DeaconDean]

The predecessor to Spurgeon (John Gill) said:

and as many as were ordained unto eternal life believed[SIZE=+1]; faith is not the cause, or condition of the decree of eternal life, but a means fixed in it, and is a fruit and effect of it, and what certainly follows upon it, as in these persons: some would have the words rendered, "as many as were disposed unto eternal life believed"; which is not countenanced by the ancient versions. The Arabic renders it as we do, and the Syriac thus, "as many as were put, or appointed unto eternal life"; and the Vulgate Latin version, "as many as were pre-ordained". Moreover, the phrase of being "disposed unto", or "for eternal life", is a very unusual, if not a very improper, and an inaccurate one; men are said to be disposed to an habit, or to an act, as to vice or virtue, but not to reward or punishment, as to heaven or hell; nor does it appear that these Gentiles had any good dispositions to eternal life, antecedent to their believing; for though they are said, Ac 13:42[SIZE=+1] to entreat the apostles to preach the same things to them the next sabbath, yet the words as there observed, according to their natural order, may be rendered "they", i.e. the apostles, "besought the Gentiles"; and in some copies and versions, the "Gentiles" are not mentioned at all: and as for their being "glad", and "glorifying the word of the Lord", it is not evident that this was before their believing; and if it was, such things have been found in persons, who have had no true, real, and inward dispositions to spiritual things, as in many of our Lord's hearers; besides, admitting that there are, in some, good dispositions to eternal life, previous to faith, and that desiring eternal life, and seeking after it, be accounted such, yet these may be where faith does not follow; as in the young rich ruler, that came to Christ with such an inquiry, and went away sorrowful: as many therefore as are so disposed, do not always believe, faith does not always follow such dispositions; and after all, one would have thought that the Jews themselves, who were externally religious, and were looking for the Messiah, and especially the devout and able women, were more disposed unto eternal life, than the ignorant and idolatrous Gentiles; and yet the latter believed, and the former did not: it follows then, that their faith did not arise from previous dispositions to eternal life, but was the fruit and effect of divine ordination unto it; and the word here used, in various places in this book, signifies determination and appointment, and not disposition of mind; see Ac 15:2[SIZE=+1] The phrase is the same with that used by the Jews, Mlwe yyxl wnqtad[SIZE=+1], "who are ordained to eternal life" {y}; and yyxl bytkd lk amle[SIZE=+1], "everyone that is written to eternal life"; {z} i.e. in the book of life; and designs no other than predestination or election, which is God's act, and is an eternal one; is sovereign, irrespective, and unconditional; relates to particular persons, and is sure and certain in its effect: it is an ordination, not to an office, nor to the means of grace, but to grace and glory itself; to a life of grace which is eternal, and to a life of glory which is for ever; and which is a pure gift of God, is in the hands of Christ, and to which his righteousness gives a title: and ordination to it shows it to be a blessing of an early date; and the great love of God to the persons ordained to it; and the certainty of enjoying it.

{y} Zohar in Exod. fol. 43. 4. {z} Targum in Isa. iv. 3. Vid Abkath Rocel, p. 5.
[/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE][/SIZE]

Source

Another fine Calvinist.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Butch5]

Act 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

“Attempts have been made to prove that these words do not teach predestination, but these attempts so clearly do violence to language that I shall not waste time in answering them. I read: ‘As many as were ordained to eternal life believed’, and I shall not twist the text but shall glorify the grace of God by ascribing to that grace the faith of every man. Is it not God who gives the disposition to believe? If men are disposed to have eternal life, does not He—in every case—dispose them? Is it wrong for God to give grace? If it be right for Him to give it, is it wrong for Him to purpose to give it? Would you have Him give it by accident? If it is right for Him to purpose to give grace today, it was right for Him to purpose it before today—and, since He changes not—from eternity.”

Charles Spurgeon

It was already changed when he got it.

 

[DeaconDean]

Funny, Spurgeon and Gill are in full agreement with the Greek.

Go figure.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Butch5]

Fusnny, Spurgeon and Gill are in full agreement with the Greek.

Go figure.

God Bless

Till all are one.

How so, the Greek text reads differently than the Reformers translations.

 

[Hammster]

Not this weak, disproven argument again.

 

[Butch5]

Not this weak, disproven argument again.

Weak argument? Are you denying they changed the word order?

 

[janxharris]

Weak argument? Are you denying they changed the word order?

Would you elaborate please Butch5?

 

[janxharris]

Weak argument? Are you denying they changed the word order?

...because the Greek has 'believed' before 'appointed to eternal life'?

 

[Hammster]

Weak argument? Are you denying they changed the word order?

I am denying your understanding of Greek.

 

[Butch5]

I am denying your understanding of Greek.

I didn't give my understanding of the Greek. I said they changed the word order. Anyone can look at the order of the words whether they understand Greek or not. We find the word order changed at the Reformation. This seems to be to much to be coincidence, since it's now a proof text for Reformed theology. Here is the word order in English Bibles before the Reformation.

Stephanus (1550)

Acts 13:48 (Stephanus)
48 ακουοντα δε τα εθνη εχαιρον και εδοξαζον τον λογον του κυριου και επιστευσαν οσοι ησαν τεταγμενοι εις ζωην αιωνιον

Believe = Red
Ordained = Blue




Wycliffe Bible Late 1300's

48 And hethen men herden, `and ioieden, and glorifieden the word of the Lord; and bileueden, as manye as weren bifore
ordeyned to euerlastinge lijf.

Tindale Bible 1534

TNT Acts 13:48 The getyls hearde and were glad and glorified the worde of the Lorde and beleved: even as many as were ordeyned vnto eternall lyfe. (Act 13:48 TNT)



Then we see in The Bishops New Testament (1595) after the Reformation the word order is changed.

PNT Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles hearde this, they were glad, and glorified the worde of the Lorde, and as many as were ordayned to eternall lyfe, beleued. (Act 13:48 PNT)


Geneva Bible (1599)
GNV Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard it, they were glad, and glorified the woorde of the Lord: and as many as were ordeined vnto eternall life, beleeued. (Act 13:48 GNV)


We can clearly see the change in word order. The only reason I see to change the word order is to support a preconceived idea.

 

[Butch5]

...because the Greek has 'believed' before 'appointed to eternal life'?

Yes, and it was translated that way in English before the Reformation also.

Here is the word order in English Bibles before the Reformation.

Stephanus (1550)

Acts 13:48 (Stephanus)
48 ακουοντα δε τα εθνη εχαιρον και εδοξαζον τον λογον του κυριου και επιστευσαν οσοι ησαν τεταγμενοι εις ζωην αιωνιον

Believe = Red
Ordained = Blue




Wycliffe Bible Late 1300's

48 And hethen men herden, `and ioieden, and glorifieden the word of the Lord; and bileueden, as manye as weren bifore
ordeyned to euerlastinge lijf.



Tindale Bible 1534

TNT Acts 13:48 The getyls hearde and were glad and glorified the worde of the Lorde and beleved: even as many as were ordeyned vnto eternall lyfe. (Act 13:48 TNT)



Then we see in The Bishops New Testament (1595) after the Reformation the word order is changed.

PNT Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles hearde this, they were glad, and glorified the worde of the Lorde, and as many as were ordayned to eternall lyfe, beleued. (Act 13:48 PNT)


Geneva Bible (1599)
GNV Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard it, they were glad, and glorified the woorde of the Lord: and as many as were ordeined vnto eternall life, beleeued. (Act 13:48 GNV)


We can clearly see the change in word order. The only reason I see to change the word order is to support a preconceived idea. Then there is the issue of verse 46 which runs counter to the Calvinist's teaching of verse 48.

 

[Hammster]

Because we all know that Greek reads exactly as English. That's what all them there Greek scholars say.

 

[janxharris]

Yes, and it was translated that way in English before the Reformation also.

Here is the word order in English Bibles before the Reformation.

Stephanus (1550)

Acts 13:48 (Stephanus)
48 ακουοντα δε τα εθνη εχαιρον και εδοξαζον τον λογον του κυριου και επιστευσαν οσοι ησαν τεταγμενοι εις ζωην αιωνιον

Believe = Red
Ordained = Blue




Wycliffe Bible Late 1300's

48 And hethen men herden, `and ioieden, and glorifieden the word of the Lord; and bileueden, as manye as weren bifore
ordeyned to euerlastinge lijf.



Tindale Bible 1534

TNT Acts 13:48 The getyls hearde and were glad and glorified the worde of the Lorde and beleved: even as many as were ordeyned vnto eternall lyfe. (Act 13:48 TNT)



Then we see in The Bishops New Testament (1595) after the Reformation the word order is changed.

PNT Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles hearde this, they were glad, and glorified the worde of the Lorde, and as many as were ordayned to eternall lyfe, beleued. (Act 13:48 PNT)


Geneva Bible (1599)
GNV Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard it, they were glad, and glorified the woorde of the Lord: and as many as were ordeined vnto eternall life, beleeued. (Act 13:48 GNV)


We can clearly see the change in word order. The only reason I see to change the word order is to support a preconceived idea. Then there is the issue of verse 46 which runs counter to the Calvinist's teaching of verse 48.

Interesting. And you are quite sure that the word order in Greek is significant?
Was there an outcry in, say, 1595?

 

[Butch5]

Interesting. And you are quite sure that the word order in Greek is significant?
Was there an outcry in, say, 1595?

Hi janxharris,

I don't argue the point because I'm not sure how to prove it but it's my understanding that the Greek sometimes uses word order to emphasize something. In other words it puts things first to give them priority. However, I don't really think that is an issue because it is not the Greek that has changed the word order but rather the English. You see, the way the Greek text has the word order you really could understand verse 48 either way. Which way it is will be determined by the context. We can from the context that in verse 46 Paul said that the Jews judged themselves unworthy of eternal life. If the Calvinist understanding of verse 48 was correct then the Jews would not be able to judge themselves unworthy of eternal life, that would left up to God. According to the Calvinist man can do nothing towards his salvation. The Calvinist's understanding of verse 48 is opposed to what Paul said in verse 46, yet the understanding, as many as believed were ordained to eternal life fits nicely with the context and does not conflict with what Paul said in verse 46.

I'm not sure if there was an outcry. I would not suspect there was since most of the arguing seemed to be between the Protestants and Catholics.

 

[Hammster]

First sentence says it all.

 

[Butch5]

First sentence says it all.

No, because it don't use that point to argue my case.

 

[Jarrod Kruger]

Hi janxharris,

I don't argue the point because I'm not sure how to prove it but it's my understanding that the Greek sometimes uses word order to emphasize something. In other words it puts things first to give them priority. However, I don't really think that is an issue because it is not the Greek that has changed the word order but rather the English. You see, the way the Greek text has the word order you really could understand verse 48 either way. Which way it is will be determined by the context. We can from the context that in verse 46 Paul said that the Jews judged themselves unworthy of eternal life. If the Calvinist understanding of verse 48 was correct then the Jews would not be able to judge themselves unworthy of eternal life, that would left up to God. According to the Calvinist man can do nothing towards his salvation. The Calvinist's understanding of verse 48 is opposed to what Paul said in verse 46, yet the understanding, as many as believed were ordained to eternal life fits nicely with the context and does not conflict with what Paul said in verse 46.

I'm not sure if there was an outcry. I would not suspect there was since most of the arguing seemed to be between the Protestants and Catholics.

The word order was changed by the translators. If there was something sinister on the translators part, I do not know. I would bet they used it to fit their preconceived notions though?

The Greek does NOT allow for the word order to be changed though. And it does NOT allow for the Calvinists interpretation.

Like you said though Butch5, verse 46 puts it in context. If 48 means what the calvinists believe, verse 46 would read like this,

" since God thrust it aside and God ordained you unworthy of eternal life...."

But the original Language HAS TO HAVE BELIEVE BEFORE APPOINTED.

Believe or pisteuw 4100 aor act ind 3p ---verb..I believe
osos 3745 mas ---- nom p pronoun ......... as many as
eimi 1510 imp act ind 3p ---verb ............ to be/endure
tassw 5021 perf pas nom p mas-Ptc ......... I am appointing

believe is in the aorist tense. this is a MOMENT in time.

The active voice dogmatically says the subject does the believing.

The indicative mood says that it is a certainty, no doubts.

The only way the Greek would support a change in word order was if the believe was in the PASSIVE voice. That would indicate that the believer was acted upon.

But the active voice can not allow for appointed to come before believe.

The accusation that this is a weak argument comes from people who do not want to hear the truth or deny the truth outright.

And that is all they can do is deny and say its weak. Because they cannot find any Biblical support for their denials.

 

[janxharris]

Hi janxharris,

I don't argue the point because I'm not sure how to prove it but it's my understanding that the Greek sometimes uses word order to emphasize something. In other words it puts things first to give them priority. However, I don't really think that is an issue because it is not the Greek that has changed the word order but rather the English. You see, the way the Greek text has the word order you really could understand verse 48 either way. Which way it is will be determined by the context. We can from the context that in verse 46 Paul said that the Jews judged themselves unworthy of eternal life. If the Calvinist understanding of verse 48 was correct then the Jews would not be able to judge themselves unworthy of eternal life, that would left up to God. According to the Calvinist man can do nothing towards his salvation. The Calvinist's understanding of verse 48 is opposed to what Paul said in verse 46, yet the understanding, as many as believed were ordained to eternal life fits nicely with the context and does not conflict with what Paul said in verse 46.

I'm not sure if there was an outcry. I would not suspect there was since most of the arguing seemed to be between the Protestants and Catholics.

Indeed, I've always thought v46 telling. Thanks.