Acts 11:23
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
Study Note
Study Note
'When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose of heart' — Barnabas's response to the Antioch community (the first church of significant Gentile composition) models the gracious recognition of divine work outside established institutional structures. The phrase 'saw the grace of God' (idōn tēn charin tou theou) suggests that divine grace has perceptible, observable manifestations in community life — a practical pneumatology. The exhortation to 'remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose of heart' (prosmenein tō kyriō en tē prothesei tēs kardias) uses the vocabulary of deliberate, willed intention, framing perseverance as an active commitment rather than passive retention. The verse belongs to the founding narrative of Antioch, which would become the base of Paul's missionary journeys and the first community where followers of Jesus were called 'Christians' (verse 26).
Other Translations
who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord:
who, having come, and having seen the grace of God, was glad, and was exhorting all with purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord,
Who, when he came and saw the grace of God, was glad; and he made clear to them the need of keeping near the Lord with all the strength of their hearts:
Cross References
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the …
And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, …
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, …
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed …
But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day.
But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, …
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up …
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know …