Acts 26 · Verse 18

Acts 26:18

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Acts 26:18, King James Version

Acts 26:18 in other translations

BSBto open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’
WEBto open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
ASVto open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.
YLTto open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the authority of the Adversary unto God, for their receiving forgiveness of sins, and a lot among those having been sanctified, by faith that is toward me.
DARBYto open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.
BBETo make their eyes open, turning them from the dark to the light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may have forgiveness of sins and a heritage among those who are made holy by faith in me.
WebsterTo open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith that is in me.

What does Acts 26:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 26:16-18

16-18. But rise, &c.--Here the apostle appears to condense into one statement various sayings of his Lord to him in visions at different times, in order to present at one view the grandeur of the commission with which his Master had clothed him [Alford]. a minister ... both of these things which thou hast seen--putting him on a footing with those "eye-witnesses and ministers of the word" mentioned in Lu 1:2. and of…

Read the full comment on Acts 26:16-18 →

Barnes' Notes
Verse 18. To open their eyes. To enlighten or instruct them. Ignorance is represented by the eyes being closed, and the instruction of the gospel by the opening of the eyes. See Eph 1:18.

And to turn them from darkness to light. From the darkness of heathenism and sin, to the light and purity of the gospel. Darkness in an emblem of ignorance and of sin; and the heathen nations are often represented as sitting in darkness. Mt 4:16; Jn 1:4; Jn 1:6.

And from the power of Satan. From the dominion of Satan. Comp. Col 1:13, 1Pet 2:9; Jn 12:31; Jn 16:11. Satan is thus represented as the prince of this world; the ruler of the darkness of this world; the prince of the power of the air, etc. The heathen world, lying in sin and superstition, is represented as under his control; and this passage teaches, doubtless, that the great mass of the people of this world are the subjects of the kingdom of Satan, and are led captive by him at his will.

Unto God. To the obedience of the one living and true God.

That they may receive forgiveness of sins. Through the merits of that Saviour who died; that thus the partition wall between the Jews and the Gentiles might be broken down, and all might be admitted to the same precious privileges of the favour and mercy of God. Acts 2:38.

And inheritance. An heirship, or lot, (κληρον;) that they might be entitled to the privileges and favours of the children of God. Acts 20:32.

Which are sanctified. Among the saints; the children of God. Acts 20:32.

(b) "open their eyes" Isa 35:5, 42:7, Eph 1:18 (c) "turn them" Lk 1:79, Jn 8:12, 2Cor 4:6, 1Pet 2:9 (d) "power of Satan" Col 1:13 (e) "forgiveness of sins" Lk 1:77, Eph 1:7, Col 1:14 (f) "inheritance" Eph 1:11, Col 1:12, 1Pet 1:4 (g) "sanctified" Jn 17:17, Acts 20:32, 1Cor 1:30, Rev 21:27 (h) "faith" Eph 2:8, Heb 11:6

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 18 To open their eyes - To be the instrument of informing their understanding in the things of God. To turn them from darkness to light - From heathenism and superstition to the knowledge and worship of the true God. From the power of Satan unto God - Της εξουσιας του Σατανα, From the authority and domination of Satan; for as the kingdom of darkness is his kingdom, so those who live in this darkness are under his dominion; and he has authority and right over them. The blessed Gospel of Christ is the means of bringing the soul from this state of spiritual darkness and wretchedness to the light and liberty of the children of God; and thus they are brought from under the power and authority of Satan, to be under the power and authority of God. That they may receive forgiveness of sins - That all their sins may be pardoned, and their souls sanctified; for nothing less is implied in the phrase, αφεσις ἁμαρτιων, which signifies the taking away or removal of sins. And inheritance - By remission of sins, i.e. the removal of the guilt and pollution of sin, they become children of God; and, if children, then heirs; for the children of the heavenly family shall alone possess the heavenly estate. And as the inheritance is said to be among them that are Sanctified, this is a farther proof that αφεσις ἁμαρτιων signifies, not only the forgiveness of sins, but also the purification of the heart. By faith that is in me - By believing on Christ Jesus, as dying for their offenses, and rising again for their justification. Thus we see that not only this salvation comes through Christ, but that it is to be received by faith; and, consequently, neither by the merit of works, nor by that of suffering.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 26:12-23

Paul was made a Christian by Divine power; by a revelation of Christ both to him and in him; when in the full career of his sin. He was made a minister by Divine authority: the same Jesus who appeared to him in that glorious light, ordered him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. A world that sits in darkness must be enlightened; those must be brought to know the things that belong to their everlasting peace, who…

Read the full comment on Acts 26:12-23 →

Acts 26:18 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἀνοῖξαιanoixaito openG455
ὀφθαλμοὺςophthalmouseyesG3788
αὐτῶν,autōnof them,G846
τοῦtouthatG3588
ἐπιστρέψαιepistrepsaito turnG1994
ἀπὸapofromG575
σκότουςskotousdarknessG4655
εἰςeistoG1519
φῶςphōslightG5457
καὶkaiandG2532
τῆςtēsfrom theG3588
ἐξουσίαςexousiaspowerG1849
τοῦtou<the>G3588
σατανᾶsatanaof SatanG4567
ἐπὶepitoG1909
τὸνton<the>G3588
θεόν,theonGod,G2316
τοῦtou[that]G3588
λαβεῖνlabeinto receiveG2983
αὐτοὺςautoustheyG846
ἄφεσινaphesinforgivenessG859
ἁμαρτιῶνhamartiōnof sinsG266
καὶkaiandG2532
κλῆρονklēron[an] inheritanceG2819
ἐνenamongG1722
τοῖςtoisthoseG3588
ἡγιασμένοιςhēgiasmenoissanctifiedG37
πίστειpisteiby faithG4102
τῇtēawhich [is]G3588
εἰςeisinG1519
ἐμέ.¶emeMe myself.G1473

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 26:18

  • 1 Peter 2:9

    But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

  • Ephesians 1:18

    The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

  • Acts 20:32

    And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

  • Ephesians 5:8

    For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

  • Isaiah 42:7

    To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:6

    For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

  • Colossians 1:12-14

    Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

  • John 8:12

    Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

  • Luke 1:79

    To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

  • Ephesians 4:18

    Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

  • 2 Corinthians 6:14

    Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

  • 2 Corinthians 4:4

    In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
open.
9:17,18; Ps 119:18; 146:8; Isa 29:18; 32:3; 35:5; 42:7; 43:8; Lu 4:18
Lu 24:45; Joh 9:39; 2Co 4:4,6; Eph 1:18
and to.
23; 13:47; Isa 9:2; 49:6; 60:1-3; Mal 4:2; Mt 4:16; 6:22,23; Lu 1:79
Lu 2:32; Joh 1:4-9; 3:19; 8:12; 9:5; 12:35,36; 2Co 4:6; 6:14; Eph 1:18
Eph 4:18; 5:8,14; 1Th 5:4-8; 1Pe 2:9,25; 1Jo 2:8,9
and from.
Isa 49:24,25; 53:8-12; Lu 11:21,22; Col 1:13; 2Ti 2:26; Heb 2:14,15
1Jo 3:8; 5:19; 1Pe 2:9; Re 20:2,3
that they.
2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43; 13:38,39; Ps 32:1,2; Lu 1:77; 24:47; Ro 4:6-9
1Co 6:10,11; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; 1Jo 1:9; 2:12
inheritance.
20:32; Ro 8:17; Eph 1:11,14; Col 1:12; Heb 9:15; Jas 2:5; 1Pe 1:4
sanctified.
20:32; Joh 17:17; 1Co 1:2,30; 6:11; Tit 3:5,6; Heb 10:10,14; Jude 1:1
Re 21:27
faith.
15:9; Joh 4:10,14; 7:38,39; Ro 5:1,2; Ga 2:20; 3:2,14; Eph 2:8
Heb 11:6

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 26:17

    Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

  • Acts 26:18

    To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

  • Acts 26:19

    Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

Read all of Acts 26

Acts 26:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Para que abras sus ojos, para que se conviertan de las tinieblas á la luz, y de la potestad de Satanás á Dios; para que reciban, por la fe que es en mí, remisión de pecados y suerte entre los santificados.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		pour ouvrir leurs yeux, pour qu’ils se tournent des ténèbres à la lumière, et du pouvoir de Satan à Dieu; pour qu’ils reçoivent la rémission des péchés et une part avec ceux qui sont sanctifiés, par la foi en moi.
German
Elberfelder 1871		ihre Augen aufzutun, auf daß sie sich bekehren von der Finsternis zum Licht und von der Gewalt des Satans zu Gott, auf daß sie Vergebung der Sünden empfangen und ein Erbe unter denen, die durch den Glauben an mich geheiligt sind.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		aperire oculos eorum, ut convertantur a tenebris ad lucem, et de potestate Satanæ ad Deum, ut accipiant remissionem peccatorum, et sortem inter sanctos, per fidem quæ est in me.