Acts 13:48
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Study Note
Study Note
The Gentiles' joy and glorifying of the word of the Lord is qualified by the narrative explanation: 'as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.' The Greek 'tetagmenoi' (appointed, ordained) has generated substantial theological debate between Calvinist readings (divine predestination) and Arminian readings (those who set themselves toward eternal life) — the middle-passive form is linguistically ambiguous. Luke places this verse immediately after Jewish rejection of the gospel (13:46), suggesting that the Gentiles' reception fulfills Paul's citation of Isaiah 49:6 ('I have set you as a light for the Gentiles'). Whatever its precise meaning, the verse attributes the response of faith to a divine work rather than purely human decision.
Other Translations
And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
And the nations hearing were glad, and were glorifying the word of the Lord, and did believe--as many as were appointed to life age-during;
And the Gentiles, hearing this, were glad and gave glory to the word of God: and those marked out by God for eternal life had faith.
Cross References
For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and …
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall …
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded …
And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and …
And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he …
Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and …
And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to …
And there was great joy in that city.