The Meaning of Acts 19:20 Explained

Acts 19:20

KJV: So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

YLT: so powerfully was the word of God increasing and prevailing.

Darby: Thus with might the word of the Lord increased and prevailed.

ASV: So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

So  mightily  grew  the word  of God  and  prevailed. 

What does Acts 19:20 Mean?

Verse Meaning

As a consequence of the repentance described in the preceding verses, the church became purer as well as larger (cf. Acts 5:1-11). Luke gave us this sixth progress report to mark the end of another section of his book. The section we have just completed ( Acts 16:6 to Acts 19:20) records the church"s extension in the Roman provinces around the Aegean Sea.
While in Ephesus Paul had considerable contact with the church in Corinth. He wrote that church a letter that he called his former letter in 1 Corinthians 5:9. Then sometime later he wrote1Corinthians, probably near the spring of A.D56. Timothy travelled from Corinth to Ephesus, then evidently went back to Corinth, and returned later to Ephesus ( Acts 18:5; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 16:10-11; Acts 19:22). Following Timothy"s visit to Corinth Paul evidently made a Song of Solomon -called "painful visit" to Corinth ( 2 Corinthians 2:1; 2 Corinthians 12:14; 2 Corinthians 13:1-2) and returned to Ephesus. Then he wrote another "severe letter" to Corinth from Ephesus ( 2 Corinthians 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 7:8-12; 2 Corinthians 12:18). These facts come to us through Paul"s two epistles to the Corinthians the first of which he wrote during the years he used Ephesus as his base of operations. He undoubtedly had other contacts with many other churches about which we know nothing. Luke"s purpose was not to give us a complete record of Paul"s ministry or the church"s growth as a whole. It was to document its advance to the heart of the Roman Empire ( Acts 1:8) and to show by repetition how Jesus Christ was building His church ( Matthew 16:18).
"Here is the climax of the account of Paul"s ministry as a free man; after this it is largely troubles, travels, and trials." [1]

Context Summary

Acts 19:13-29 - The Power Of Jesus' Name
Where God's spirit is mightily at work, Satan is not far away. Here the enemy's emissaries were mean enough to use the name of Jesus to get themselves a few more shekels. But the name is useless apart from the living power of the Spirit. It is terrible when the very demons flout those who profess religion. Who are ye? meant, "You do not count." The demons knew Christ as the Holy One of God and Paul as His representative, but these exorcist Jews were hollow as sounding brass. Cast into the balances, they were altogether lighter than vanity, Psalms 62:9.
The outcome of all this was a mighty revival. The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified, and a searching work of grace led to the confession of sin and the cleansing of heart and life in many who had followed vain superstitions.
So deep was the work of God in that great city of Ephesus that the trade in charms and amulets, sold in the neighborhood of the temple, began to fall off. The crowd of worshippers in Diana's temple was also perceptibly less. People who came in from the seaboard would find their way to the Apostle, who preached the gospel with a power that could not be withstood. Regenerated souls therefore, in turn, carried the gospel throughout the whole region. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 19

1  The Holy Spirit is given by Paul's hands
8  The Jews blaspheme his doctrine, which is confirmed by miracles
13  The Jewish exorcists,
16  are beaten by a man who had an evil spirit
19  Conjuring books are burnt
21  Demetrius, for love of gain, raises an uproar against Paul;
35  which is appeased by the town clerk

Greek Commentary for Acts 19:20

Mightily [κατα κρατος]
According to strength. Only here in N.T., common military term in Thucydides. Such proof of a change counted. [source]
Grew and prevailed [ηυχανεν και ισχυεν]
Imperfect actives, kept growing and gaining strength. It was a day of triumph for Christ in Ephesus, this city of vast wealth and superstition. Ephesus for centuries will be one of the centres of Christian power. Timothy will come here and John the Apostle and Polycarp and Irenaeus. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 19:20

Acts 25:7 Which had come down [οι καταβεβηκοτες]
Perfect active participle of καταβαινω — katabainō They had come down on purpose at the invitation of Festus (Acts 25:5), and were now ready. Stood round about him (περιεστησαν αυτον — periestēsan auton). Second aorist (ingressive) active (intransitive) of περιιστημι — periistēmi old verb, “Took their stand around him,” “periculum intentantes ” (Bengel). Cf. Luke 23:10 about Christ. They have no lawyer this time, but they mass their forces so as to impress Festus. Bringing against him Bearing down on. See note on Acts 20:9; and note on Acts 26:10, only N.T. examples of this ancient verb. Many and grievous charges (πολλα και βαρεα αιτιωματα — polla kai barea aitiōmata). This word αιτιωμα — aitiōma for old form αιτιαμα — aitiama is found in one papyrus (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary) in sense of “blame.” But the charges were no “heavier” than those made by Tertullus (Acts 24:5-8). Paul‘s reply proves this and they were also probably on court record (Furneaux). See this adjective βαρυς — barus (heavy) used with λυκοι — lukoi (wolves) in Acts 20:29. Which they could not prove Imperfect active of ισχυω — ischuō to have strength or power as in Acts 19:16, Acts 19:20. Repetition and reiteration and vehemence took the place of proof (αποδειχαι — apodeixai first aorist active infinitive of αποδεικνυμι — apodeiknumi to show forth, old verb, in N.T. only here, Acts 2:22 which see and 1 Corinthians 4:9). [source]
Acts 25:7 Bringing against him [καταπεροντες]
Bearing down on. See note on Acts 20:9; and note on Acts 26:10, only N.T. examples of this ancient verb. Many and grievous charges (πολλα και βαρεα αιτιωματα — polla kai barea aitiōmata). This word αιτιωμα — aitiōma for old form αιτιαμα — aitiama is found in one papyrus (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary) in sense of “blame.” But the charges were no “heavier” than those made by Tertullus (Acts 24:5-8). Paul‘s reply proves this and they were also probably on court record (Furneaux). See this adjective βαρυς — barus (heavy) used with λυκοι — lukoi (wolves) in Acts 20:29. Which they could not prove Imperfect active of ισχυω — ischuō to have strength or power as in Acts 19:16, Acts 19:20. Repetition and reiteration and vehemence took the place of proof (αποδειχαι — apodeixai first aorist active infinitive of αποδεικνυμι — apodeiknumi to show forth, old verb, in N.T. only here, Acts 2:22 which see and 1 Corinthians 4:9). [source]
Acts 25:7 Which they could not prove [α ουκ ισχυον αποδειχαι]
Imperfect active of ισχυω — ischuō to have strength or power as in Acts 19:16, Acts 19:20. Repetition and reiteration and vehemence took the place of proof (αποδειχαι — apodeixai first aorist active infinitive of αποδεικνυμι — apodeiknumi to show forth, old verb, in N.T. only here, Acts 2:22 which see and 1 Corinthians 4:9). [source]
Romans 9:11 Purpose according to election [ἡ κατ ' ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις]
For πρόθεσις purposesee on the kindred verb προέθετο , Romans 3:25, and compare Romans 8:28. The phrase signifies a purpose so formed that in it an election was made. The opposite of one founded upon right or merit. For similar phrases see Acts 19:20; κατὰ κράτος accordingto might, mightily; Romans 7:13, καθ ' ὑπερβολὴν accordingto excess, exceedingly. See note. [source]
1 Corinthians 2:1 With excellency [καθ ὑπεροχὴν]
Lit., according to elevation or superiority. The noun occurs only here and 1 Timothy 2:2, where it is rendered authority. The phrase expresses the mode of his preaching. For similar adverbial phrases, see καθ ὑπερβολήν exceedinglyor according to excess, Romans 8:13; κατὰ κράτος mightilyor according to might, Acts 19:20. Construe with declaring. [source]
Galatians 1:13 Beyond measure [καθ ' ὑπερβολὴν]
PLit. according to excess. The noun primarily means a casting beyond, thence superiority, excellency. See 2Corinthians href="/desk/?q=2co+4:7&sr=1">2 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 4:17. It is transliterated in hyperbole. For similar phrases comp. 1 Corinthians 2:1; Acts 19:20; Acts 3:17; Acts 25:23. [source]
Revelation 2:5 Thou art fallen [πεπτωκες]
Perfect active indicative of πιπτω — piptō state of completion. Down in the valley, look up to the cliff where pure love is and whence thou hast fallen down.And repent (και μετανοησον — kai metanoēson). First aorist active imperative of μετανοεω — metanoeō urgent appeal for instant change of attitude and conduct before it is too late.And do First aorist active imperative of ποιεω — poieō “Do at once.”The first works (τα πρωτα εργα — ta prōta erga). Including the first love (Acts 19:20; Acts 20:37; Ephesians 1:3.) which has now grown cold (Matthew 24:12).Or else Elliptical condition, the verb not expressed Futuristic present middle (John 14:2.).To thee Dative, as in Revelation 2:16 also.Will move (κινησω — kinēsō). Future active of κινεω — kineō In Ignatius‘ Epistle to Ephesus it appears that the church heeded this warning.Except thou repent Condition of third class with εαν μη — ean mē instead of ει μη — ei mē above, with the first aorist active subjunctive of μετανοεω — metanoeō f0). [source]
Revelation 2:5 And do [και ποιησον]
First aorist active imperative of ποιεω — poieō “Do at once.”The first works (τα πρωτα εργα — ta prōta erga). Including the first love (Acts 19:20; Acts 20:37; Ephesians 1:3.) which has now grown cold (Matthew 24:12).Or else Elliptical condition, the verb not expressed Futuristic present middle (John 14:2.).To thee Dative, as in Revelation 2:16 also.Will move (κινησω — kinēsō). Future active of κινεω — kineō In Ignatius‘ Epistle to Ephesus it appears that the church heeded this warning.Except thou repent Condition of third class with εαν μη — ean mē instead of ει μη — ei mē above, with the first aorist active subjunctive of μετανοεω — metanoeō f0). [source]
Revelation 2:5 The first works [τα πρωτα εργα]
Including the first love (Acts 19:20; Acts 20:37; Ephesians 1:3.) which has now grown cold (Matthew 24:12). [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 19:20 mean?

Thus with might of the Lord the word continued to increase and prevail
Οὕτως κατὰ κράτος τοῦ Κυρίου λόγος ηὔξανεν καὶ ἴσχυεν

Οὕτως  Thus 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὕτως  
Sense: in this manner, thus, so.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Κυρίου  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
λόγος  word 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: λόγος  
Sense: of speech.
ηὔξανεν  continued  to  increase 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐξάνω 
Sense: to cause to grow, augment.
ἴσχυεν  prevail 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἰσχύω  
Sense: to be strong.

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