Acts 11:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Peter concludes: since God gave the Gentiles the same gift He gave believing Jews, who was he to stand in God's way?
What Does Acts 11:17 Mean?
Peter presses his account to its point: God gave them the like gift — the same Spirit, on the same ground, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The closing question is unanswerable: What was I, that I could withstand God? To refuse the Gentiles would be to fight against God Himself.
The gift is God's to give, and He gives it to those who believe on the Lord Jesus. Peter's humility is the heart of the verse: the apostle sees himself not as the gatekeeper of grace but as its servant. Where God is plainly at work, our part is to make way. Many a quarrel among believers would dissolve before Peter's question, honestly asked.
Acts 11:17 in the Original Language
kolyo (κωλύω), 'withstand' -- to hinder or to forbid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 11:17
What does Acts 11:17 mean?
Peter concludes: since God gave the Gentiles the same gift He gave believing Jews, who was he to stand in God's way?