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.
The synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia pushed Paul's message away. So Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles, and the Gentiles welcomed the news with joy. Then comes the line people have argued over ever since: those appointed to eternal life were the ones who believed. Older translations say "ordained" where the ESV says "appointed," and the writers below use that older word.
A Turn God Planned Beforehand
The move to the Gentiles was not an emergency measure after Jewish rejection. One writer notes that Israel's own Scriptures had already announced it.
C. E. StuartThe turn to the Gentiles, when the Jews would judge themselves unworthy of eternal life, was no afterthought in God's mind. The Gentiles who now heard that were glad. The Scriptures given to Israel held this announcement about them. Would the Jews boast that God gave His written revelation to them alone? In that revelation, it was now shown, mercy to Gentiles was foretold.
Offered Widely, Received by Faith
The joy here comes from people who were shut out for a long time. The same sentence also marks how far the offer reaches and who receives it.
William KellyFor a long time the nations were both hidden and shut out. Now they are brought into view. They are the direct object not of law, as Israel once was, but of God's mercy in the gospel. God's righteousness is toward all, though it takes effect only on all who believe.
Why Anyone Believed at All
The same message reached everyone there, yet only some believed. One writer traces that difference to God's power working with the words spoken.
J. N. DarbySuch was free grace, poured out on all, leaving the strict limits of Judaism and directing itself to the whole world. But still the grace of God, mingled with faith, was necessary to make the truth enter the heart, so that it might be born of God. This is what happens here. The power of God accompanied the word and "as many as were ordained to eternal life believed."
Two Truths, Both Left Standing
Some readers flip the sentence around, so that believing comes first and appointing follows. One writer holds both halves together: Paul preached to everyone alike, and those appointed to eternal life were the ones who believed.
C StanleyWhy should we take one of these truths, and not the other? Or why should we seek to alter either? Some would say, Do not preach the gospel to all, only to the elect. Paul preached it to all alike, and declared that all who believe are justified. Others would change the second one, and say, As many as believe are then ordained to eternal life. But it is not so; "As many as were ordained to eternal life believed." Surely we have no right to alter God's word to suit human opinions.
Believing as Evidence, Not Entry
No one could have picked out the future believers in that crowd beforehand. God's appointing comes first, but we see it last.
F. B. HoleMany Gentiles did believe, and by that it became clear that they had been ordained to eternal life. We do not know who are ordained to eternal life, so we cannot foretell who will believe. When we find anyone really believing, we know at once that they are ordained to eternal life.
What the Verse Does Not Say
Some stretch this verse into a matching decree running the other way: that God marks others out beforehand for ruin. One writer answers that Scripture never says this.
Morrish Bible DictionaryAnother error has caused trouble about election. Some hold that since certain people are ordained to eternal life, God must also have foreordained others to destruction. They call this "reprobation." But Scripture does not teach it. God desires that all men should be saved, 1 Timothy 2:4, and His election to life ensures that some will be.
Where the Doctrine Belongs
Does this doctrine belong in a preacher's message to the lost? One writer draws a sharp line.
Charles Henry MackintoshBut then some may feel inclined to ask, "Do you want to set aside the doctrine of election?" God forbid. We only want to see it in its right place. We want it as a landmark, not as a stumbling block. We believe the evangelist has no business to preach election. Paul never preached election. He taught election, but he preached Christ. This makes all the difference.
Summary
- Refused. The synagogue judged itself unworthy of eternal life, so the preachers turned to the nations. Israel's own Scriptures had already foretold that turn.
- Offered. The gospel went out to everyone there. God's righteousness is toward all, but it takes effect only on those who believe.
- Given. Faith was not self-produced. The power of God went with the word, and grace made the truth enter the heart.
- Shown. God's appointing came first; their believing revealed it. We cannot read the list, so we know the appointed only when we find them believing.
- Guarded. The verse decrees no ruin for the rest. Election is a landmark for believers, not a hurdle in front of those still seeking.