April 12, 2023 – Wednesday
Acts 11:18 NIV
18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
Acts 11:18 BSB
18 When they heard this, their objections were put to rest, and they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
Comments
Tonight, at Calvary Chapel of Dayton I taught about two words, Repent and Repentance. Afterwards a member showed me in his bible’s version of Acts 11:18, it was the NASB and it had this, When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has also granted to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.” It looks like the NIV and many others when the whole verse is italicized, but without the italics it has, When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has also granted to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”
The italicized that leads shows that it was added to improve readability, but it was not in the original. The BSB (Berean Standard Bible) shown above does not have that leads inserted at all. However, along with the NIV and the NASB the following versions do have that leads inserted, ESV, LEB, Mounce, NET, NRSVA, and the TLV among others. However, if you go here or here you will find most versions do not have that leads inserted.
What does this mean to us? If I read the verse without that leads, I end up with repentance unto life and that tells me repentance, real repentance, is part and parcel of believing in Christ Jesus. Believing, real believing, and repentance cannot be uncoupled when talking about life, eternal life or salvation. Bengal’s Gnomen simply notes, For where forgiveness of sins is, there life is. This implies once again, that faith, belief, and repentance go hand in hand with forgiveness and life as a result.
Bottom Line: Real faith and real repentance complement one another, with faith taking the superior position. This is because without faith, there would be no repentance.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You that no matter how we look at this verse, Your mercy abounds with our faith and repentance. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek