Act 13:48, Gal 1:23-24 | JFB | e4.org | 48. when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad —to perceive that their accession to Christ was a matter of divine arrangement as well as apostolic effort. and glorified the word of the Lord —by a cordial reception of it. and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed —a very remarkable statement, which cannot, without force, be interpreted of anything lower than this, that a divine ordination to eternal life is the cause, not the effect, of any man's believing.

‏ Acts 13:48

48. when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad—to perceive that their accession to Christ was a matter of divine arrangement as well as apostolic effort.

and glorified the word of the Lord—by a cordial reception of it.

and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed—a very remarkable statement, which cannot, without force, be interpreted of anything lower than this, that a divine ordination to eternal life is the cause, not the effect, of any man's believing.

‏ Galatians 1:23-24

23. Translate as Greek, "They were hearing": tidings were brought them from time to time [CONYBEARE and HOWSON].

he which persecuted us in times past—"our former persecutor" [ALFORD]. The designation by which he was known among Christians still better than by his name "Saul."

destroyed—Greek, "was destroying."

24. in me—"in my case." "Having understood the entire change, and that the former wolf is now acting the shepherd's part, they received occasion for joyful thanksgiving to God in respect to me" [THEODORET]. How different, he implies to the Galatians, their spirit from yours!