What does Acts 14:22 mean exactly?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TreeOfLife123
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

TreeOfLife123

Guest
Can someone please explain to me what Acts 14:22 means exactly?
 
TreeOfLife123 said:
Can someone please explain to me what Acts 14:22 means exactly?
Click to expand...
D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 22. When they had ordained for them priests.[1] The Protestant translation, following the grammatical etymology of the Greek word presbyter, always puts elders. Yet they of the Church of England allow, and maintain, that by this Greek word in this, and many other places, are signified the ministers of God, known by the name of bishops or priests, according to the ecclesiastical use of the same word. It is evident that here are not meant elders, as to age and years. Nay, though we adhere to the grammatical signification, we should rather translate priests, since the English word priest, as well as the French word prêtre, come from presbyter. But of this word more hereafter. We may also take notice, that the Calvinists here translate, ordained by election, pretending by the derivation of the Greek word, that church ministers were only chosen, and deputed by the votes and suffrages of people; and not by any ordination, or consecration by a bishop; nor by any character or sacrament of order. But their argument from this Greek word is frivolous, and groundless, as hath been shewn by Mr. Bois on this verse, by Mr. Legh in his Critica Sacra, &c. (Witham) — We see from this text, 1st, that Sts. Paul and Barnabas were bishops, having authority to confer holy orders: 2nd. that there was even then a difference betwixt bishops and priests, though the name in the primitive Church was often used indifferently; 3rd. that fasting and praying were constant preparatives for holy orders. (Bristow)
 
This is the text:
[BIBLEDRB]Acts 14:22[/BIBLEDRB]

Like the 2nd poster says: it means that Saints Paul and Barnabas were Bishops and they ordained priests.

Other translations mis-translate this as elders, and by election, rather than priests, or presbyters and ordination or ordained.
 
I don’t understand. The version of the Bible that I was reading had this as Acts 14:22:
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”
Click to expand...
I was hoping that that meant that suffering and hardships were in some way requirements for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Which I thought went along with the many verses referring to suffering with Christ. That was a large part of my question.

I was referring in particular to the part where it seems to say that it is necessary to suffer hardships in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Is that true? Can that be one way to think of this verse aside from the answers given in this post already?
 
That’s the New Jerusalem Bible and the RSV, King James and the NIV has something similar:

Apparently there’s two different manuscripts that the different translators are working from.

It’s Acts 14:23 where the ordaining/electing elders/presbyters text comes in in the majority of texts.
.
 
TreeOfLife123 said:
I don’t understand. The version of the Bible that I was reading had this as Acts 14:22:

I was hoping that that meant that suffering and hardships were in some way requirements for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Which I thought went along with the many verses referring to suffering with Christ. That was a large part of my question.

I was referring in particular to the part where it seems to say that it is necessary to suffer hardships in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Is that true? Can that be one way to think of this verse aside from the answers given in this post already?
Click to expand...
OK - it’s a different verse. It’s omitted in some bible translations but not in others.

The RSV says “Through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God.”

It is a fact that life, and the Christian Life where we are on a journey to God is littered with hardship.
 
Thank you. Yeah I got confused. The answers you guys gave seemed quite different from the verse I was thinking of.

Evidently you seem to indicate that the verse is simple and to the point that it’s part of the Christian life to have to endure hardships. Which I believe is compatible with the many verses in the New Testament in regards to suffering.
 
I don’t think it’s more complicated than that. We will all suffer more or less than others. There’s no particular merit to suffering - the merit comes in what we do with it. Do we learn from suffering? Do we accept it as a gift? Do we offer it up in participation with Christ’s passion, death and resurrection?
 
But I have an intuitive feeling that the Bible speaks of the necessity of suffering and I do not understand completely why. But when we align our own suffering to Christ’s suffering it’s a really good thing to do.
Suffering can do many things that are good for us. It can purify us of sin for example. It can turn us towards God and makes us know how dependent we are on Him. I can say clearly that the suffering I have endured led me to Christianity or played a major role in that and also has been very enriching spiritually when I align it to Christ’s suffering. When we suffer with Christianity as our religion much good can come of it.
 
All very true.

Suffering is a consequence of sin, and is part of our Fallen Nature.

Also, though I said the is no special merit to suffering, since we all do, Christ however, is found IN the poor, the little ones, and the suffering and they are very dear to Him - whether Christian or not…
 
Christ and His Church are one mystical body of which Christ is the Head. The merits of the suffering of Christ, the head of the mystical body, are infinite and complete, sufficient for redemption. Our suffering does not add anything to that.

But just as Christ suffered in his body on the cross, his mystical body suffers in order to be in union with Him. It is a mission for all the faithful in the Body of Christ as a means of conforming ourselves to Him. The Church also suffers to build itself up, for example ministers who share the gospel suffer many afflictions to bring the gospel to people.

Saint Pual said “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church” Col 1:24

1 Peter is a great book of the bible that addresses suffering.
Saint Peter said
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

One quote from a saint that I like to ponder
“Persistently suffer hardships in order to avoid the hardship of vain suffering” Saint Gregory of Sinai
 
I think that we are meant to suffer.
So I think that what this means is no matter what if God wants us to endure hardship then we must.
Pray can help at bringing occasional comfort and helping with the overall situation but I think it is still true that if we are meant to suffer from God we will have to.
 
TreeOfLife123 said:
I don’t understand. The version of the Bible that I was reading had this as Acts 14:22:

I was hoping that that meant that suffering and hardships were in some way requirements for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Which I thought went along with the many verses referring to suffering with Christ. That was a large part of my question.

I was referring in particular to the part where it seems to say that it is necessary to suffer hardships in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Is that true? Can that be one way to think of this verse aside from the answers given in this post already?
Click to expand...
Suffering hardship(s) is not always required in general.
This passage in particular refers to what priests will suffer during the birth of the church; eg: it’s formation in in the pagan peoples against the will of the “Jews” – and with respect to the particular flock these shepherds were given.

Notice, it is the Jews from Antioch and Iconium who bring about Paul’s figurative death – and Paul’s likeness to Christ’s Death & resurrection. v: 18

Paul then returns to these VERY places, Antioch and Iconium (v: 21) — and it is in that context, that Paul says – they must suffer many trials to enter the kingdom of God.

I am certain that Bishops and priests are assigned to a location, and if their superior does NOT move them; they remain in danger of those places.

So, it is pragmatically St. Paul’s choice that they suffer these hardships, perhaps since he knew no better way to do God’s will.

I’m looking at the passage’s context again:

St. Paul was put to the test (trial) in VV. 10-12, where people prepared to worship Pau/Barnabas because of their priestly power (These two were the hand and eyes of God, so to speak from vv 8-9.), In order to overcome the temptation – Paul rejects Satan’s offer; and suffers the consequences VV. 18-19.

Then, the scriptures note something curious – the “disciples” surround Paul’s body. Or if you will, the “learners” surround him. There is no indication they did anything to Paul, nor did they take Paul from the city people, who dragged him out and left him thinking him already dead.

Essentially, those learning the faith – found him dead, and then they witness him “rise” (Anastas AKA as if from the dead.) here’s a lesson for the day, students! ]

This lesson of power of God and consequent suffering was also known of more ancient times, say in Wisdom 6:3-12; ( afaIk: There, the word disciple (learn) is used in Greek in vv. 9-10 for the first time in the OT)

One also has to consider that these people are witnessing Paul rising from a mortal encounter – alive and well. it is, in effect, a miracle; which makes them more culpable for what they do later.

In light of all these things, then Paul tells the disciples about hardship to enter the kingdom of God – and notice what he does to those who were just taught the lesson: “Then, they [Paul & Barnabas] appointed presbyters for them in each of the churches, and commended them to the care of the Lord in whom they had learned to believe.”

The word for appointed, is not the usual one found in the OT and the NT.
It actually begins with the word for “hand”, and is highly suggestive of the “Laying on of Hands” done by priests for two reasons – One is to strengthen the ill (Anointing of the Sick), and secondly to pass on power to priests, bishops, deacons…

There is a possible inference to the anointing of the sick in vv. 21 where it talks about strengthening or fortifying the spirits of the disciples, although I think the passage is more concerned with the appointing of shepherds to be the “hand(s)” of Paul and Barnabas in those regions – and also their successors.
 
Paul then returns to these VERY places, Antioch and Iconium (v: 21) — and it is in that context, that Paul says – they must suffer many trials to enter the kingdom of God.
Click to expand...
Well what I was hoping for was that that reference and part in the Bible could be made in regards to other types of suffering and trials. I didn’t care much about the context as much as the actual application of that passage to other things as well. The notion that to enter the Kingdom one must undergo many trials and hardships. I think that is true and applicable to more contexts than just the particular context you are referring to that is associated to the part of the passage I was thinking of. I believe it can be taken out of that particular context and applied to other contexts as well. Or I think suffering in general.
 
TreeOfLife123 said:
Well what I was hoping for was that that reference and part in the Bible could be made in regards to other types of suffering and trials.
Click to expand...
When you start with an assumption of suffering, that’s different than reading what a passage says.
I didn’t care much about the context as much as the actual application of that passage to other things as well. The notion that to enter the Kingdom one must undergo many trials and hardships. I think that is true and applicable to more contexts than just the particular context you are referring to that is associated to the part of the passage I was thinking of. I believe it can be taken out of that particular context and applied to other contexts as well. Or I think suffering in general.
Click to expand...
What do you mean about application?
In an earlier post you said:
I was hoping that that meant that suffering and hardships were in some way requirements for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Which I thought went along with the many verses referring to suffering with Christ. That was a large part of my question.
Click to expand...
Which is why I responded as I did. There is a generality to suffering, but not an individual necessity…

For example, what application would you have for these infants in the kingdom of God? Perhaps that will help me grasp your question:

Luke 18:15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Luke 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

There is mere physical pain, which isn’t “suffering” in my estimation; lest we call the cool feeling as one gets out of bed – “suffering”, or a broken fingernail…!

But there are physical sufferings, which require a prolonging in time – and an awareness of the injustice present – and then there are Sacramental sufferings (such as baptism.) which, in a sense, is a wounding that the person may heal and become stronger. etc.

However, I have a difficulty in accepting the notion that just because something is hard – that it is therefore good in an of itself; that’s sort of the scriptures according to Kant and a bit of “grumpy old man” romanticism.

I am certain that God gives to each of us as he sees fit – to some more, to others less, and to still others – no discernible amount at all – each of these is in proportion to his will, and for the good of all.

Why do you “hope” to see all of these things through the lens of the passage in Acts? 🙂
 
I just was under the impression that it’s a prevalent theme in the New Testament to have to suffer hardships and trials to enter the Kingdom. I thought that the context of this verse was only one example of the hardships one needs to enter the Kingdom.

I think there is more involved. I think the suffering is there to purify us and also cleanse us and turn us towards God. Suffering can help a lot with salvation. I just saw a connection to the part of the passage referring to having to suffer hardships regardless of the context and the other passages on suffering in the Bible. I think suffering is important for entry into the Kingdom.
 
Basically I want to believe my suffering is for a purpose and that the passage while it is a certain context as well is also applicable to my situation. Just the idea of suffering and hardships as being brought to us by God for the sake of the Kingdom.
 
I’m just trying to apply that part of the passage to suffering in general for the sake of the Kingdom. That we may have to undergo trials and hardships.
 
=TreeOfLife123;9551730]Can someone please explain to me what Acts 14:22 means exactly?
Click to expand...
It means that suffering is to be expected as a KEY part of the normanl “human condition”

Christ Himself is quoted FIVE times about “taking up OUR cross” and “following Him”.

Matt. 19:17 tells us that ONLY those who do so “can be Christ deciples”

The Protestant practice of removing Christ “Corpus” from His Cross has led to the GRAVELY mistaken notion that one can attain heaven W/O suffering.

Such is NOT God’s plan or God’s Will.

Because Jesus suffered for us we MUST prove our LOVE for Him by willingly accepting every cross that HE, God builds for us. ONLY in this way id salvation even a possibility.👍

God Bless you,
pat/PJM
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top