The Meaning of Acts 3:16 Explained

Acts 3:16

KJV: And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

YLT: and on the faith of his name, this one whom ye see and have known, his name made strong, even the faith that is through him did give to him this perfect soundness before you all.

Darby: And, by faith in his name, his name has made this man strong whom ye behold and know; and the faith which is by him has given him this complete soundness in the presence of you all.

ASV: And by faith in his name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  his  name  through  faith  in his  name  hath made  this man  strong,  whom  ye see  and  know:  yea,  the faith  which is  by  him  hath given  him  this  perfect soundness  in the presence  of you  all. 

What does Acts 3:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The proclamation portion of Peter"s sermon expounds "the name of Jesus" (cf. Acts 3:6). The "name" of Jesus summarizes everything about Him here as elsewhere in Scripture. Peter attributed the beggar"s healing to the power of Jesus and to the man"s trust in what he knew about Jesus. Jesus had given him faith. If the beggar had had no confidence in the deity and divine power of Jesus, he would not have responded to Peter"s invitation to walk ( Acts 3:6). His response demonstrated his faith. Undoubtedly this man had seen and heard Jesus when He was in the temple. Jesus had given him "perfect health."
"The Christian knows that so long as he thinks of what I can do and what I can be, there can be nothing but failure and frustration and fear; but when he thinks of "not I, but Christ in me" there can be nothing but peace and power." [1]

Context Summary

Acts 3:11-26 - Searching Words
Peter's sermon was delivered in the eastern colonnade of the Temple. It derived its name probably from the fact that Solomon's Porch had originally occupied that site. The Apostle argued that the gospel which was given them to proclaim was only the flower of the revelations which had been given them through the prophets. How vast the change wrought in this man by the strength and illumination imparted to him at Pentecost! Why should we not seek to be similarly infilled!
How humble-not by their power! How daring-God had glorified Him whom they slew! What glorious conceptions of Christ-Prince of Life, holy and righteous! What pity for the ignorance of the Jews! The times of refreshing which are to come on this distracted world depend on the repentance and restoration of Israel. The Jew has the first offer of the gospel, as the child of the covenant; but its wide provisions lie open to us all, who by faith have become heirs of the promises made to Abraham. Christ begins His work of benediction for the soul by turning it away from iniquity. "Turn us, O Lord, and we shall be turned!" [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 3

1  Peter preaching to the people that came to see a lame man restored to his feet,
12  professes the cure to have been wrought by God, and his son Jesus;
13  withal reprehending them for crucifying Jesus;
17  which because they did it through ignorance,
18  and that thereby were fulfilled God's determinate counsel, and the Scriptures,
19  he exhorts them by repentance and faith to seek remission of their sins through Jesus

Greek Commentary for Acts 3:16

By faith in his name [τηι πιστει του ονοματος αυτου]
Instrumental case of πιστει — pistei (Aleph and B do not have επι — epi) and objective genitive of ονοματος — onomatos [source]
His name [το ονομα αυτου]
Repeats the word name to make the point clear. Cf. Acts 3:6 where Peter uses “the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” when he healed the man. Made strong (εστερεωσεν — estereōsen). Same verb used in Acts 3:7 (and Acts 16:5). Nowhere else in the N.T. Old verb from στερεος — stereos firm, solid. Through him Through Jesus, the object of faith and the source of it. Perfect soundness (ολοκληριαν — holoklērian). Perfect in all its parts, complete, whole (from ολος — holos whole, κληρος — klēros allotment). Late word (Plutarch) once in lxx (Isaiah 1:6) and here alone in the N.T., but adjective ολοκληρος — holoklēros old and common (James 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). [source]
Made strong [εστερεωσεν]
Same verb used in Acts 3:7 (and Acts 16:5). Nowhere else in the N.T. Old verb from στερεος — stereos firm, solid. [source]
Through him [δι αυτου]
Through Jesus, the object of faith and the source of it. Perfect soundness (ολοκληριαν — holoklērian). Perfect in all its parts, complete, whole (from ολος — holos whole, κληρος — klēros allotment). Late word (Plutarch) once in lxx (Isaiah 1:6) and here alone in the N.T., but adjective ολοκληρος — holoklēros old and common (James 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). [source]
Perfect soundness [ολοκληριαν]
Perfect in all its parts, complete, whole (from ολος — holos whole, κληρος — klēros allotment). Late word (Plutarch) once in lxx (Isaiah 1:6) and here alone in the N.T., but adjective ολοκληρος — holoklēros old and common (James 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:23). [source]
Through faith [ἐπὶ τῇ πίστει]
Note the article: the faith which we had; not the cripple's faith, which was not demanded as a condition of his cure. Through faith ( ἐπί ) is rather on account of, or on the basis of. Rev., by. Compare Acts 2:38; and see on Matthew 28:19. [source]
Made strong [ἐστερέωσε]
See on Acts 3:7. [source]
Ye see [θεωρεῖτε]
See on Luke 10:18. [source]
Perfect soundness [ὁλοκληρίαν]
Only here in New Testament. From ὅλος , entire, and κλῆρος , a lot. Denoting, therefore, the condition of one who has his entire allotment. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 3:16

Acts 14:9 Heard [ηκουεν]
Imperfect active, was listening to Paul speaking Either at the gate or in the market place (Acts 17:17) Paul was preaching to such as would listen or could understand his Greek (Koiné). Ramsay (St. Paul the Traveller, pp. 114, 116) thinks that the cripple was a proselyte. At any rate he may have heard of the miracles wrought at Iconium (Acts 14:3) and Paul may have spoken of the work of healing wrought by Jesus. This man was “no mendicant pretender,” for his history was known from his birth. Fastening his eyes upon him (ατενισας αυτωι — atenisas autōi). Just as in Acts 13:9 of Paul and Acts 1:10 which see. Paul saw a new hope in the man‘s eyes and face. He had faith Present active indicative retained in indirect discourse. To be made whole (του σωτηναι — tou sōthēnai). Genitive of articular first aorist passive infinitive (purpose and result combined) of σωζω — sōzō to make sound and also to save. Here clearly to make whole or well as in Luke 7:50 (cf. Acts 3:16; Acts 4:10). [source]
Acts 14:9 He had faith [εχει πιστιν]
Present active indicative retained in indirect discourse. To be made whole (του σωτηναι — tou sōthēnai). Genitive of articular first aorist passive infinitive (purpose and result combined) of σωζω — sōzō to make sound and also to save. Here clearly to make whole or well as in Luke 7:50 (cf. Acts 3:16; Acts 4:10). [source]
Acts 14:9 To be made whole [του σωτηναι]
Genitive of articular first aorist passive infinitive (purpose and result combined) of σωζω — sōzō to make sound and also to save. Here clearly to make whole or well as in Luke 7:50 (cf. Acts 3:16; Acts 4:10). [source]
Acts 16:5 Were strengthened [εστερεουντο]
Imperfect passive of στερεοω — stereoō old verb to make firm and solid like the muscles (Acts 3:7, Acts 3:16), these three the only examples in the N.T. [source]
Philippians 3:9 By faith [ἐπὶ]
Resting upon faith, or on the condition of. Compare Acts 3:16. [source]
Philippians 3:9 Through faith in Christ [δια πιστεως Χριστου]
The objective genitive Χριστου — Christou not subjective, as in Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:20; Romans 3:22. Explained further by επι τηι πιστει — epi tēi pistei (on the basis of faith) as in Acts 3:16. [source]
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Be preserved entire [ὁλόκληρον - τηρηθείη]
This is the rendering of Rev. and is correct. A.V. joins ὁλόκληρον with πνεῦμα , and renders your whole spirit. Ὁλόκληρον is predicative, not attributive. It does not mean whole, but is derived from ὅλος wholeand κλῆρος allotmentand signifies having the entire allotment; complete in all parts. It occurs only here and James 1:4, where it is associated with τέλειοι perfectIt appears in lxx, as Leviticus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:9; Deuteronomy 27:6. Joseph. Ant. 3:12,2, uses it of an unblemished victim for sacrifice. As distinguished from ὁλοτελεῖς wholly 1 Thessalonians 5:23, it is qualitative, while ὁλοτελεῖς is quantitative. The kindred ὁλοκληρία perfectsoundness, only in Acts 3:16. For preserved see on 1 Peter 1:4. [source]
James 1:4 Perfect and entire [τέλειοι καὶ ὁλόκληροι]
The two words express different shades of thought. Τέλειοι , perfect, from τέλος , fulfilment or completion (perfect, from perfectus, per factus, made throughout )denotes that which, h has reached its maturity or fulfilled the end contemplated. Ολόκληροι , from ὅλος , entire, and κλῆρος , a lot or allotment; that which has all which properly belongs to it; its entire allotment, and is, therefore, intact in all its parts. Thus Peter (Acts 3:16) says of the restored cripple, “faith has given him this perfect soundness ( ὁλοκληρίαν )Compare the familiar phrase, an accomplished man. Note, also, James' repetition of the key-words of his discourse, rejoice, joy, patience, perfect. [source]
James 1:4 Perfect and entire [τελειοι και ολοκληροι]
Perfected at the end of the task “Perfected all over.” These two adjectives often occur together in Philo, Plutarch, etc. See Acts 3:16 for ολοκληριαν — holoklērian (perfect soundness).Lacking in nothing (εν μηδενι λειπομενοι — en mēdeni leipomenoi). Present passive participle of λειπω — leipō to leave. Negative statement of the preceding positive as often in James (cf. James 1:6). There is now a digression (James 1:5-8) from the discussion of πειρασμος — peirasmos which is taken up again in James 1:9. The word λειπομενοι — leipomenoi (lacking) suggests the digression. [source]
James 1:4 Perfect [τελειον]
See Romans 5:3. for a like chain of blessings. Carry on the work to the end or completion (from τελος — telos end) as in John 17:4 Purpose clause with ινα — hina and present active subjunctive of ειμι — eimi This is the goal of patience.Perfect and entire Perfected at the end of the task “Perfected all over.” These two adjectives often occur together in Philo, Plutarch, etc. See Acts 3:16 for ολοκληριαν — holoklērian (perfect soundness).Lacking in nothing (εν μηδενι λειπομενοι — en mēdeni leipomenoi). Present passive participle of λειπω — leipō to leave. Negative statement of the preceding positive as often in James (cf. James 1:6). There is now a digression (James 1:5-8) from the discussion of πειρασμος — peirasmos which is taken up again in James 1:9. The word λειπομενοι — leipomenoi (lacking) suggests the digression. [source]
1 Peter 5:9 Steadfast [στερεοὶ]
Compare 2 Timothy 2:19; and the kindred verb στερεόω , to strengthen (Acts 3:7, Acts 3:16; Acts 16:5). Paul, in Colossians 2:5, uses a cognate noun, στερέωμα , evidently as a military metaphor: “Beholding your order ( τάξιν , compare ἀντιτάσσεται , 1 Peter 5:5) and your solid front or close phalanx ” ( στερέωμα )It might be difficult to find, on the whole, a better rendering than steadfast, yet it falls a little short of the meaning. Steadfast is Anglo-Saxon, stede, a place, andfaest, fast; and hence means firm in its place; but στερεοὶ conveys also the sense of compactness, compact solidity, and is appropriate, since a number of individuals are addressed and exhorted to withstand the onset of Satan as one compacted body. Στερεός implies solidity in the very mass and body of the thing itself; steadfastness, mere holding of place. A rock is στερεός , firm, solid; but a flexible weed with its tough roots resisting all efforts to pull it up, may be steadfast. The exhortation is appropriate from Peter, the Rock. [source]
1 Peter 1:21 Who through him are believers in God [τους δι αυτου πιστους εις τεον]
Accusative case in apposition with υμας — humās (you), “the through him (that is Christ as in 1 Peter 1:8; Acts 3:16) believers (πιστους — pistous correct text of A B) in God.” [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 3:16 mean?

And on the faith in the name of Him this [man] whom you see know has strengthened the name the faith which [is] through Him has given to him the complete soundness this before all of you
Καὶ ἐπὶ τῇ πίστει τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ τοῦτον ὃν θεωρεῖτε οἴδατε ἐστερέωσεν τὸ ὄνομα πίστις δι’ αὐτοῦ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ τὴν ὁλοκληρίαν ταύτην ἀπέναντι πάντων ὑμῶν

πίστει  faith 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: πίστις  
Sense: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it.
τοῦ  in  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὀνόματος  name 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: ὄνομα  
Sense: name: univ.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
τοῦτον  this  [man] 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ὃν  whom 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
θεωρεῖτε  you  see 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: θεωρέω  
Sense: to be a spectator, look at, behold.
οἴδατε  know 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: οἶδα  
Sense: to see.
ἐστερέωσεν  has  strengthened 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: στερεόω  
Sense: to make solid, make firm, strengthen, make strong.
ὄνομα  name 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: ὄνομα  
Sense: name: univ.
πίστις  faith 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: πίστις  
Sense: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it.
  which  [is] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
δι’  through 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
ἔδωκεν  has  given 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
αὐτῷ  to  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ὁλοκληρίαν  complete  soundness 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ὁλοκληρία  
Sense: of an unimpaired condition of the body, in which all its members are healthy and fit for use.
ταύτην  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ἀπέναντι  before 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἀπεῖπον 
Sense: over against, opposite.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.