The Meaning of Acts 7:38 Explained

Acts 7:38

KJV: This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

YLT: 'This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the messenger who is speaking to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers who did receive the living oracles to give to us;

Darby: This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers; who received living oracles to give to us;

ASV: This is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel that spake to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living oracles to give unto us:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

This  is he,  that was  in  the church  in  the wilderness  with  the angel  which  spake  to him  in  the mount  Sina,  and  [with] our  fathers:  who  received  the lively  oracles  to give  unto us: 

What does Acts 7:38 Mean?

Study Notes

church
Israel in the land is never called a church. In the wilderness Israel was a true church (G. ecclesia = called-out assembly), but in striking contrast with the N.T. ecclesia
.
angel .
2 (Greek - ἀπόλλυμι (ek="out of," kaleo ="to call"), an assembly of called out ones). The word is used of any assembly; the word itself implies no more, as, e.g., the town-meeting at Ephesus Acts 19:39 and Israel, called out of Egypt and assembled in the wilderness Acts 7:38 . Israel was a true "church," but not in any sense the N.T. church--the only point of similarity being that both were "called out" and by the same God. All else is contrast.
(See Scofield " Acts 7:38 ") See Scofield " Hebrews 12:23 "
hell See note, (See Scofield " Luke 16:23 ")
Peter
There is the Greek a play upon the words, "thou art Peter petros-- literally 'a little rock', and upon this rock Petra I will build my church." He does not promise to build His church upon Peter, but upon Himself, as Peter is careful to tell us ( 1 Peter 2:4-9 )
church
2 (Greek - ἀπόλλυμι (ek="out of," kaleo ="to call"), an assembly of called out ones). The word is used of any assembly; the word itself implies no more, as, e.g., the town-meeting at Ephesus Acts 19:39 and Israel, called out of Egypt and assembled in the wilderness Acts 7:38 . Israel was a true "church," but not in any sense the N.T. church--the only point of similarity being that both were "called out" and by the same God. All else is contrast.
(See Scofield " Acts 7:38 ") See Scofield " Hebrews 12:23 "
hell See note, (See Scofield " Luke 16:23 ")
angels
Angel, Summary: Angel, "messenger," is used of God, of men, and of an order of created spiritual beings whose chief attributes are strength and wisdom. 2 Samuel 14:20 ; Psalms 103:20 ; Psalms 104:4 . In the O.T. the expression "the angel of the Lord" (sometimes "of God") usually implies the presence of Deity in angelic form.; Genesis 16:1-13 ; Genesis 21:17-19 ; Genesis 22:11-16 ; Genesis 31:11-13 ; Exodus 3:2-4 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:12-16 ; Judges 13:3-22 (See Scofield " Malachi 3:1 ") . The word "angel" is used of men in; Luke 7:24 ; James 2:25 ; Revelation 1:20 ; Revelation 2:1 ; Revelation 2:8 ; Revelation 2:12 ; Revelation 2:18 ; Revelation 3:1 ; Revelation 3:7 ; Revelation 3:14 In Revelation 8:3-5 . Christ is evidently meant. Sometimes angel is used of the spirit of man.; Matthew 18:10 ; Acts 12:15 . Though angels are spirits; Psalms 104:4 ; Hebrews 1:14 power is given them to become visible in the semblance of human form. Genesis 19:1 cf; Genesis 19:5 ; Exodus 3:2 ; Numbers 22:22-31 ; Judges 2:1 ; Judges 6:11 ; Judges 6:22 ; Judges 13:3 ; Judges 13:6 ; 1 Chronicles 21:16 ; 1 Chronicles 21:20 ; Matthew 1:20 ; Luke 1:26 ; John 20:12 ; Acts 7:30 ; Acts 12:7 ; Acts 12:8 etc.). The word is always used in the masculine gender, though sex, in the human sense, is never ascribed to angels.; Matthew 22:30 ; Mark 12:25 . They are exceedingly numerous.; Matthew 26:53 ; Hebrews 12:22 ; Revelation 5:11 ; Psalms 68:17 . The power is inconceivable. 2 Kings 19:35 . Their place is about the throne of God.; Revelation 5:11 ; Revelation 7:11 . Their relation to the believer is that of "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," and this ministry has reference largely to the physical safety and well-being of believers.; 1 Kings 19:5 ; Psalms 34:7 ; Psalms 91:11 ; Daniel 6:22 ; Matthew 2:13 ; Matthew 2:19 ; Matthew 4:11 ; Luke 22:43 ; Acts 5:19 ; Acts 12:7-10 . From; Hebrews 1:14 ; Matthew 18:10 ; Psalms 91:11 it would seem that this care for the heirs of salvation begins in infancy and continues through life. The angels observe us; 1 Corinthians 4:9 ; Ephesians 3:10 ; Ecclesiastes 5:6 a fact which should influence conduct. They receive departing saints. Luke 16:22 . Man is made "a little lower than the angels," and in incarnation Christ took "for a little "time" this lower place.; Psalms 8:4 ; Psalms 8:5 ; Hebrews 2:6 ; Hebrews 2:9 that He might lift the believer into His own sphere above angels. Hebrews 2:9 ; Hebrews 2:10 . The angels are to accompany Christ in His second advent. Matthew 25:31 . To them will be committed the preparation of the judgment of the nations. Matthew 13:30 ; Matthew 13:39 ; Matthew 13:41 ; Matthew 13:42 . See Scofield " Matthew 25:32 ". The kingdom-age is not to be subject to angels, but to Christ and those for whom He was made a little lower than the angels. Hebrews 2:5 An archangel, Michael, is mentioned as having a particular relation to Israel and to the resurrections.; Daniel 10:13 ; Daniel 10:21 ; Daniel 12:1 ; Daniel 12:2 ; Judges 1:9 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:16 . The only other angel whose name is revealed Gabriel, was employed in the most distinguished services.; Daniel 8:16 ; Daniel 9:21 ; Luke 1:19 ; Luke 1:26 .
Fallen angels. Two classes of these are mentioned:
(1) "The angels which kept not their first estate place, but left their own habitation," are "chained under darkness," awaiting judgment. 2 Peter 2:4 ; Judges 1:6 ; 1 Corinthians 6:3 ; John 5:22 .
(See Scofield " Genesis 6:4 ")
(2) The angels who have Satan Genesis 3:1 as leader.
(See Scofield " Revelation 20:10 ") .
The origin of these is nowhere explicitly revealed. They may be identical with the demons.
(See Scofield " Matthew 7:22 ") . For Satan and his angels everlasting fire is prepared. Matthew 25:41 ; Revelation 20:10 .

Context Summary

Acts 7:30-46 - Stephen's Defense: Disobedience In The Wilderness
The angel who appeared in the bush that burned with fire was the angel of God's presence, who saved the Israelites and bare them and carried them all the days of old. See Isaiah 63:9. Who could this be save our Lord Himself? Only He could speak of Himself as I am. Remember the use our Lord made of that present tense, as carrying with it evidence that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were all of them living, though centuries had passed since their bodies had been deposited in Machpelah's cave. See Luke 20:38. It is very helpful to note that reference to the hand of the angel in Acts 7:35; Acts 7:38. It reminds us of Acts 11:21. Would that, in our service for God, we were always conscious of the co-operating hand of the Savior!
The prophet referred to in Acts 7:37 is, of course, our Lord, and the parallel between Him and Moses is very apparent during our Lord's human ministry-for meekness, for reference in all things to the sending of God, for the work they did, as negotiating the Law from Sinai and the Mount of Beatitudes. But the difference in their posthumous ministry is emphasized in Hebrews 3:1-6. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 7

1  Stephen, permitted to answer to the accusation of blasphemy,
2  shows that Abraham worshipped God rightly, and how God chose the fathers,
20  before Moses was born, and before the tabernacle and temple were built;
37  that Moses himself witnessed of Christ;
44  and that all outward ceremonies were ordained to last but for a time;
51  reprehending their rebellion, and murdering of Christ, whom the prophets foretold
54  Whereupon they stone Stephen to death,
59  who commends his soul to Jesus, and humbly prays for them

Greek Commentary for Acts 7:38

In the church in the wilderness [εν τηι εκκλησιαι εν τηι ερημωι]
Better rendered “congregation” here as in Hebrews 2:12 (Psalm 22:22), the people of Israel gathered at Matthew. Sinai, the whole nation. Moses is here represented as receiving the law from an angel as in Hebrews 2:2; Galatians 3:19 (Deuteronomy 33:2, lxx) and so was a mediator But Exodus does not speak of an angel. [source]
Living oracles [λογια ζωντα]
A λογιον — logion is a little word (diminutive of λογος — logos). Common in the old Greek, lxx, Philo, in ecclesiastical writers for sayings of Christ, Papias (for instance) saying that Matthew wrote in Hebrew (Aramaic) “Logia of Jesus.” Oxyrhynchus papyri fragments called “Logia of Jesus” are of much interest though only fragments. The Greeks used it of the “oracles” or brief sayings from Delphi. In the N.T. the word occurs only four times (Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2; Hebrews 5:12; 1 Peter 4:11). Here the participle ζωντα — zōnta living, is the same used by Peter (1 Peter 2:4.), stone In Romans 3:2 Paul refers to the substance of the law and of prophecy. In Hebrews 5:12 the writer means the substance of the Christian religious teaching. [source]
Lively []
Better, living, as Rev. Compare 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Peter 2:5. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 7:38

Matthew 16:18 Thou art Peter [οὺ εἶ Πέτρος]
Christ responds to Peter's emphatic thou with another, equally emphatic. Peter says, “Thou art the Christ.” Christ replies, “Thou art Peter.” Πέτρος (Peter ) is used as a proper name, but without losing its meaning as a common noun. The name was bestowed on Simon at his first interview with Jesus (John 1:42) under the form of its Aramaic equivalent, CephasIn this passage attention is called, not to the giving of the name, but to its meaning. In classical Greek the word means a piece of rock, as in Homer, of Ajax throwing a stone at Hector (“Iliadvii., 270), or of Patroclus grasping and hiding in his hand a jagged stone (“Iliadxvi., 784).On this rock ( ἐπὶ ταύτῃ τῇ πέρᾳ )The word is feminine, and means a rock, as distinguished from a stone or a fragment of rock ( πέτρος , above). Used of a ledge of rocks or a rocky peak. In Homer (“Odyssey,” ix., 243), the rock ( πέτρην ) which Polyphemus places at the door of his cavern, is a mass which two-and-twenty wagons could not remove; and the rock which he hurled at the retreating ships of Ulysses, created by its fall a wave in the sea which drove the ships back toward the land (“Odyssey,” ix., 484). The word refers neither to Christ as a rock, distinguished from Simon, a stone, nor to Peter's confession, but to Peter himself, in a sense defined by his previous confession, and as enlightened by the “Father in Heaven.” The reference of πέτρα to Christ is forced and unnatural. The obvious reference of the word is to Peter. The emphatic this naturally refers to the nearest antecedent; and besides, the metaphor is thus weakened, since Christ appears here, not as the foundation, but as the architect: “On this rock will I build.” Again, Christ is the great foundation, the “chief corner-stone,” but the New Testament writers recognize no impropriety in applying to the members of Christ's church certain terms which are applied to him. For instance, Peter himself (1 Peter 2:4), calls Christ a living stone, and, in 1 Peter 2:5, addresses the church as living stones. In Revelation 21:14, the names of the twelve apostles appear in the twelve foundation-stones of the heavenly city; and in Ephesians 2:20, it is said, “Ye are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (i.e., laid by the apostles and prophets), Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone.” Equally untenable is the explanation which refers πέτρα to Simon's confession. Both the play upon the words and the natural reading of the passage are against it, and besides, it does not conform to the fact, since the church is built, not on confessions, but on confessors - living men. “The word πέτρα ,” says Edersheim, “was used in the same sense in Rabbinic language. According to the Rabbins, when God was about to build his world, he could not rear it on the generation of Enos, nor on that of the flood, who brought destruction upon the world; but when he beheld that Abraham would arise in the future, he said' 'Behold, I have found a rock to build on it, and to found the world,' whence, also, Abraham is called a rock, as it is said' 'Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn.' The parallel between Abraham and Peter might be carried even further. If, from a misunderstanding of the Lord's promise to Peter, later Christian legend represented the apostle as sitting at the gate of heaven, Jewish legend represents Abraham as sitting at the gate of Gehenna, so as to prevent all who had the seal of circumcision from falling into its abyss” (“Life and Times of Jesus”). The reference to Simon himself is confirmed by the actual relation of Peter to the early church, to the Jewish portion of which he was a foundation-stone. See Acts, Acts 1:15; Acts 2:14, Acts 2:37; Acts 3:12; Acts 4:8; Acts 5:15, Acts 5:29; Acts 9:34, Acts 9:40; Acts 10:25, Acts 10:26; Galatians 1:15.Church ( ἐκκλησίαν ) ἐκ out, καλέω , to call or summon. This is the first occurrence of this word in the New Testament. Originally an assembly of citizens, regularly summoned. So in New Testament, Acts 19:39. The Septuagint uses the word for the congregation of Israel, either as summoned for a definite purpose (Acts 7:38); but for this there is more commonly employed συναγωγή , of which synagogue is a transcription; σύν , together, ἄγω , to bring (Acts 13:43). In Christ's words to Peter the word ἐκκλησία acquires special emphasis from the opposition implied in it to the synagogue. The Christian community in the midst of Israel would be designated as ἐκκλησία , without being confounded with the συναγωγή , the Jewish community. See Acts 5:11; Acts 8:1; Acts 12:1; Acts 14:23, Acts 14:27, etc. Nevertheless συναγωγή is applied to a Christian assembly in James 2:2, while ἐπισυναγωγή (gathering or assembling together ) is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:1; Hebrews 10:25. Both in Hebrew and in New Testament usage ἐκκλησία implies more than a collective or national unity; rather a community based on a special religious idea and established in a special way. In the New Testament the term is used also in the narrower sense of a single church, or a church confined to a particular place. So of the church in the house of Aquila and Priscilla (Romans 16:5); the church at Corinth, the churches in Judea, the church at Jerusalem, etc.Gates of hell ( πύλαι ᾅδου )Rev., Hades. Hades was originally the name of the god who presided over the realm of the dead - Pluto or Dis. Hence the phrase, house of Hades. It is derived from ἀ , not, and; ἰδεῖν , to see; and signifies, therefore, the invisible land, the realm of shadow. It is the place to which all who depart this life descend, without reference to their moral character. By this word the Septuagint translated the Hebrew Sheol, which has a similar general meaning. The classical Hades embraced both good and bad men, though divided into Elysium, the abode of the virtuous, and Tartarus, the abode of the wicked. In these particulars it corresponds substantially with Sheol; both the godly and the wicked being represented as gathered into the latter. See Genesis 42:38; Psalm 9:17; Psalm 139:8; Isaiah 14:9; Isaiah 57:2; Ezekiel 32:27; Hosea 13:14. Hades and Sheol were alike conceived as a definite place, lower than the world. The passage of both good and bad into it was regarded as a descent. The Hebrew conception is that of a place of darkness; a cheerless home of a dull, joyless, shadowy life. See Psalm 6:5; Psalm 94:17; Psalm 115:17; Psalm 88:5, Psalm 88:6, Psalm 88:10; Job 10:21; Job 3:17-19; Job 14:10, Job 14:11; Ecclesiastes 9:5. Vagueness is its characteristic. In this the Hebrew's faith appears bare in contrast with that of the Greek and Roman. The pagan poets gave the popular mind definite pictures of Tartarus and Elysium; of Styx and Acheron; of happy plains where dead heroes held high discourse, and of black abysses where offenders underwent strange and ingenious tortures. There was, indeed, this difference between the Hebrew and the Pagan conceptions; that to the Pagan, Hades was the final home of its tenants, while Sheol was a temporary condition. Hence the patriarchs are described (Hebrews 11:16) as looking for a better, heavenly country; and the martyrs as enduring in hope of “a better resurrection.” Prophecy declared that the dead should arise and sing, when Sheol itself should be destroyed and its inmates brought forth, some to everlasting life, and others to shame and contempt (Isaiah 26:19; Hosea 13:14; Daniel 12:2). Paul represents this promise as made to the fathers by God, and as the hope of his countrymen (Acts 26:7). God was the God of the dead as well as of the living; present in the dark chambers of Sheol as well as in heaven (Psalm 139:8; Psalm 16:10). This is the underlying thought of that most touching and pathetic utterance of Job (Job 14:13-15), in which he breathes the wish that God would hide him with loving care in Hades, as a place of temporary concealment, where he will wait patiently, standing like a sentinel at his post, awaiting the divine voice calling him to a new and happier life. This, too, is the thought of the familiar and much-disputed passage, Job 19:23-27. His Redeemer, vindicator, avenger, shall arise after he shall have passed through the shadowy realm of Sheol. “A judgment in Hades, in which the judge will show himself his friend, in which all the tangled skein of his life will be unravelled by wise and kindly hands, and the insoluble problem of his strange and self-contradicting experience will at last be solved - this is what Job still looks for on that happy day when he shall see God for himself, and find his Goel (vindicator) in that Almighty Deliverer” (Cox, “Commentary on the Book of Job”). In the New Testament, Hades is the realm of the dead. It cannot be successfully maintained that it is, in particular, the place for sinners (so Cremer, “Biblico-Theological Lexicon”). The words about Capernaum (Matthew 11:23), which it is surprising to find Cremer citing in support of this position, are merely a rhetorical expression of a fall from the height of earthly glory to the deepest degradation, and have no more bearing upon the moral character of Hades than the words of Zophar (Job 11:7, Job 11:8) about the perfection of the Almighty. “It is high as heaven - deeper than Sheol. ” Hades is indeed coupled with Death (Revelation 1:18; Revelation 6:8; Revelation 20:13, Revelation 20:14), but the association is natural, and indeed inevitable, apart from all moral distinctions. Death would naturally be followed by Hades in any case. In Revelation 20:13, Revelation 20:14, the general judgment is predicted, and not only Death and Hades, but the sea give tip their dead, and only those who are not written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). The rich man was in Hades (Luke 16:23), and in torments, but Lazarus was also in Hades, “in Abraham's bosom.” The details of this story “evidently represent the views current at the time among the Jews. According to them, the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life were the abode of the blessed. We read that the righteous in Eden see the wicked in Gehenna and rejoice; and similarly, that the wicked in Gehenna see the righteous sitting beatified in Eden, and their souls are troubled (Edersheim, “Life and Times of Jesus”). Christ also was in Hades (Acts 2:27, Acts 2:31). Moreover, the word γέεννα , hell (see on Matthew 5:22), is specially used to denote the place of future punishment. Hades, then, in the New Testament, is a broad and general conception, with an idea of locality bound up with it. It is the condition following death, which is blessed or the contrary, according to the moral character of the dead, and is therefore divided into different realms, represented by Paradise or Abraham's bosom, and Gehenna. The expression Gates of Hades is an orientalism for the court, throne, power, and dignity of the infernal kingdom. Hades is contemplated as a mighty city, with formidable, frowning portals. Some expositors introduce also the idea of the councils of the Satanic powers, with reference to the Eastern custom of holding such deliberations in the gates of cities. Compare the expression Sublime Porte, applied to the Ottoman court. The idea of a building is maintained in both members of the comparison. The kingdom or city of Hades confronts and assaults the church which Christ will build upon the rock. See Job 38:17; Psalm 9:13; Psalm 107:18; Isaiah 38:10. [source]
Acts 7:35 This Moses [Τουτον τον Μωυσην]
Rhetorical repetition follows this description of Moses (five times, anaphora, besides the use here, six cases of ουτος — houtos here about Moses: Acts 7:35 twice, Acts 7:36, Acts 7:37, Acts 7:38, Acts 7:40). Clearly Stephen means to draw a parallel between Moses and Jesus. They in Egypt denied “Ransomer” or “Redeemer” (λυτρωτης — lutrōtēs) is not found elsewhere, λυτρον — lutron (ransom), λυτροω — lutroō to ransom, and λυτρωσις — lutrōsis ransoming or redemption, are found often. In Acts 5:31 Christ is termed “Prince and Saviour.” [source]
Acts 7:53 As it was ordained by angels [εις διαταγας αγγελων]
About angels, see note on Acts 7:38. Διαταγη — Diatagē (from διατασσω — diatassō to arrange, appoint) occurs in late Greek, lxx, inscriptions, papyri, Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, pp. 89ff., and in N.T. only here and Romans 13:2. At (or as) the appointment of angels (cf. Matthew 10:41; Matthew 12:41 for this use of εις — eis). And kept it not (και ουκ επυλαχατε — kai ouk ephulaxate). Like a whipcracker these words cut to the quick. They gloried in possessing the law and openly violated it (Romans 2:23). [source]
Acts 5:11 Upon the whole church [επ ολην την εκκλησιαν]
Here εκκλησια — ekklēsia for the first time in Acts of the believers in Jerusalem. Twice already in the Gospels, once of the whole body of believers or the Kingdom (Matthew 16:18), the other of the local body (Matthew 18:17). In Acts 7:38 it is used of the whole congregation of Israel while in Acts 19:32 it is used of a public assembly in Ephesus. But already in Acts 8:3 it is applied to the church which Saul was persecuting in their homes when not assembled. So here the etymological meaning of “assembly” disappears for “the church” were now the scattered saints hiding in their separate homes. The whole body of believers in Jerusalem and all who heard of the fate of Ananias and Sapphira (beautiful, her name means) were in awe and dread. It was already a dangerous thing to be a follower of Christ unless one was willing to walk straight. [source]
Acts 7:38 Living oracles [λογια ζωντα]
A λογιον — logion is a little word (diminutive of λογος — logos). Common in the old Greek, lxx, Philo, in ecclesiastical writers for sayings of Christ, Papias (for instance) saying that Matthew wrote in Hebrew (Aramaic) “Logia of Jesus.” Oxyrhynchus papyri fragments called “Logia of Jesus” are of much interest though only fragments. The Greeks used it of the “oracles” or brief sayings from Delphi. In the N.T. the word occurs only four times (Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2; Hebrews 5:12; 1 Peter 4:11). Here the participle ζωντα — zōnta living, is the same used by Peter (1 Peter 2:4.), stone In Romans 3:2 Paul refers to the substance of the law and of prophecy. In Hebrews 5:12 the writer means the substance of the Christian religious teaching. [source]
Romans 3:2 The oracles [τὰ λόγια]
Diminutive. Strictly, brief utterances. Both in classical and biblical Greek, of divine utterances. In classical Greek, of prose oracles. See Acts 7:38; Hebrews 5:12; 1 Peter 4:11. Not especially Messianic passages, but the Old Testament scriptures with the law and the promises. [source]
Romans 3:2 The oracles of God [τα λογια του τεου]
In the accusative case, therefore, the object of επιστευτησαν — episteuthēsan Λογιον — Logion is probably a diminutive of λογος — logos word, though the adjective λογιος — logios also occurs (Acts 18:24). The word was early used for “oracles” from Delphi and is common in the lxx for the oracles of the Lord. But from Philo on it was used of any sacred writing including narrative. It occurs four times in the N.T. (Acts 7:38, which see; Romans 3:2; Hebrews 5:12; 1 Peter 4:11). It is possible that here and in Acts 7:38 the idea may include all the Old Testament, though the commands and promises of God may be all. [source]
Romans 3:2 First of all [πρωτον μεν]
As in Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 11:18 Paul does not add to his “first.” He singles out one privilege of the many possessed by the Jew. They were intrusted with (επιστευτησαν — episteuthēsan). First aorist passive indicative of πιστευω — pisteuō to intrust, with accusative of the thing and dative of the person in the active. In the passive as here the accusative of the thing is retained as in 1 Thessalonians 2:4. The oracles of God In the accusative case, therefore, the object of επιστευτησαν — episteuthēsan Λογιον — Logion is probably a diminutive of λογος — logos word, though the adjective λογιος — logios also occurs (Acts 18:24). The word was early used for “oracles” from Delphi and is common in the lxx for the oracles of the Lord. But from Philo on it was used of any sacred writing including narrative. It occurs four times in the N.T. (Acts 7:38, which see; Romans 3:2; Hebrews 5:12; 1 Peter 4:11). It is possible that here and in Acts 7:38 the idea may include all the Old Testament, though the commands and promises of God may be all. [source]
Galatians 3:19 Ordained through angels [διαταγεις δι αγγελων]
Second aorist passive participle of διατασσω — diatassō (see note on Matthew 11:1). About angels and the giving of the law see Deuteronomy 33:2 (lxx); Acts 7:38, Acts 7:52; Hebrews 2:2; Josephus (Ant. XV. 5. 3). [source]
Galatians 3:19 It was added because of transgressions [των παραβασεων χαριν προσετετη]
First aorist passive of προστιτημι — prostithēmi old verb to add to. It is only in apparent contradiction to Galatians 3:15., because in Paul‘s mind the law is no part of the covenant, but a thing apart “in no way modifying its provisions” (Burton). Χαριν — Charin is the adverbial accusative of χαρις — charis which was used as a preposition with the genitive as early as Homer, in favour of, for the sake of. Except in 1 John 3:12 it is post-positive in the N.T. as in ancient Greek. It may be causal (Luke 7:47; 1 John 3:12) or telic (Titus 1:5, Titus 1:11; Judges 1:16). It is probably also telic here, not in order to create transgressions, but rather “to make transgressions palpable” (Ellicott), “thereby pronouncing them to be from that time forward transgressions of the law” (Rendall). Παραβασις — Parabasis from παραβαινω — parabainō is in this sense a late word (Plutarch on), originally a slight deviation, then a wilful disregarding of known regulations or prohibitions as in Romans 2:23. Till the seed should come (αχρις αν ελτηι το σπερμα — achris an elthēi to sperma). Future time with αχρις αν — achris an and aorist subjunctive (usual construction). Christ he means by το σπερμα — to sperma as in Galatians 3:16. The promise hath been made Probably impersonal perfect passive rather than middle of επαγγελλομαι — epaggellomai as in 2 Maccabees 4:27. Ordained through angels (διαταγεις δι αγγελων — diatageis di' aggelōn). Second aorist passive participle of διατασσω — diatassō (see note on Matthew 11:1). About angels and the giving of the law see Deuteronomy 33:2 (lxx); Acts 7:38, Acts 7:52; Hebrews 2:2; Josephus (Ant. XV. 5. 3). By the hand of a mediator Εν χειρι — En cheiri is a manifest Aramaism or Hebraism and only here in the N.T. It is common in the lxx. Μεσιτης — Mesitēs from μεσος — mesos is middle or midst, is a late word (Polybius, Diodorus, Philo, Josephus) and common in the papyri in legal transactions for arbiter, surety, etc. Here of Moses, but also of Christ (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24). [source]
Galatians 3:19 The promise hath been made [επηγγελται]
Probably impersonal perfect passive rather than middle of επαγγελλομαι — epaggellomai as in 2 Maccabees 4:27. Ordained through angels (διαταγεις δι αγγελων — diatageis di' aggelōn). Second aorist passive participle of διατασσω — diatassō (see note on Matthew 11:1). About angels and the giving of the law see Deuteronomy 33:2 (lxx); Acts 7:38, Acts 7:52; Hebrews 2:2; Josephus (Ant. XV. 5. 3). By the hand of a mediator Εν χειρι — En cheiri is a manifest Aramaism or Hebraism and only here in the N.T. It is common in the lxx. Μεσιτης — Mesitēs from μεσος — mesos is middle or midst, is a late word (Polybius, Diodorus, Philo, Josephus) and common in the papyri in legal transactions for arbiter, surety, etc. Here of Moses, but also of Christ (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24). [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:1 The church [ἐκκλησίᾳ]
From ἐκ outand καλεῖν tocall or summon. Originally with a secular meaning, an assembly of citizens regularly summoned. So Acts 19:39. lxx uses it for the congregation of Israel, either as convened for a definite purpose (1 Kings 8:65; Deuteronomy 4:10; Deuteronomy 18:16), or as a community (2 Chronicles 1:3, 2 Chronicles 1:5; 2 Chronicles 23:3; Nehemiah 8:17). The verbs ἐκκλησιάζειν and ἐξεκκλησιάζειν tosummon formally, which do not occur in N.T., are found in lxx with συναγωγὴν gathering λαόν peopleand πρεσβυτέρους elders Συναγωγὴ is constantly used in lxx of the children of Israel as a body (Exodus 12:6, Exodus 12:19, Exodus 12:47; Leviticus 4:13, etc.), and is the more common word in N.T. for a Jewish as distinguished from a Christian assembly; sometimes with the addition of the Jews (Acts 8:5; Acts 14:1; Acts 17:1). It is once used of a Christian assembly (James 2:2). Ἑπισυναγωγὴ gatheringtogether, occurs 2 Thessalonians 2:1; Hebrews 10:25. The Ebionites retained συναγωγὴ in preference to ἐκκλησία . The lxx translators found two Hebrew words for “assembly” or “congregation,”: עֵדָה and קָהָל, and rendered the former by συναγωγὴ in the great majority of instances. Ἑκκλησία does not appear as the rendering of עֵדָה. They were not as consistent in rendering קָהָל, since they used both συναγωγὴ and ἐκκλησία , though the latter was the more frequent: see Leviticus 4:13; Deuteronomy 5:22, etc. The A.V. renders both words by “congregation” and “assembly” indiscriminately. Ἑκκλησία is only once used in N.T. of a Jewish congregation, Acts 7:38; yet there are cases where there is an apparent attempt to guard its distinctively Christian sense against being confounded with the unconverted Jewish communities. Hence the addition; ἐν Χριστῷ inChrist, Galatians 1:22; ἐν θεῷ πατρὶ και, κυρίῳ Ἱησοῦ Χριστῷ inGod the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 1:1; comp. 2 Thessalonians 1:1. In both Hebrew and N.T. usage, ἐκκλησία implies a community based on a special religious idea, and established in a special way. In N.T. it is also used in a narrower sense, of a single church, or of a church confined to a single place. So Romans 16:5, etc. [source]
Hebrews 2:2 The word spoken by angels [ὁ δι ἀγγέλλων λαληθεὶς λόγος]
The Mosaic legislation which was conveyed through the mediation of angels. Comp. Deuteronomy 33:2; Acts 7:38, Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19, on which see note. The agency of angels indicates the limitations of the legal dispensation; its character as a dispensation of the flesh. Hence its importance in this discussion. The abolition of the old limitations is the emancipation of man from subordination to the angels. The O.T. is made to furnish proof that such subordination is inconsistent with man's ultimate destiny to sovereignty over all creation. [source]
Hebrews 5:12 Of the first principles of the oracles of God [της αρχης των λογιων του τεου]
Three genitives linked to each other. Αρχης — Archēs (beginning) illustrates τα στοιχεια — ta stoicheia just before, the A B C of Christian teaching like Hebrews 6:1. Λογιον — Logion is a diminutive of logos, divine oracles being usually brief, common in the O.T. and Philo for God‘s words, in N.T. used for the O.T. (Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2), of God‘s word through Christians (1 Peter 4:11), of the substance of Christian teaching (Hebrews 5:12). Of milk Because still babes (1 Corinthians 3:2) and not able to chew “solid food” (στερεας τροπης — stereās trophēs), without intellectual and spiritual teeth.sa120 [source]
Hebrews 2:2 For if … proved steadfast [ει γαρ εγενετο βεβαιος]
Condition of first class, assumed as true. Through angels Allusion to the use of angels by God at Sinai as in Acts 7:38, Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19, though not in the O.T., but in Josephus (Ant. XV. 156). Transgression and disobedience Both words use παραρυωμεν — para as in παραβασις — pararuōmen refused to obey (stepping aside, παρακοη — para -μισταποδοσιαν — basis as in Romans 2:23), neglect to obey Late double compound, like μιστοδοσια — misthapodotēs (Hebrews 11:6), from ενδικον — misthos (reward) and apodidōmi to give back. The old Greeks used misthodosia Just Old compound adjective, in N.T. only here and Romans 3:8. [source]
Hebrews 5:12 Teachers [διδασκαλοι]
Predicate nominative after ειναι — einai By reason of the time Alas, what a commentary on modern Christians. That some one teach you the rudiments Neat Greek idiom, genitive case of the articular infinitive (need of the teaching) with two accusatives of the person For στοιχεια — stoicheia see Galatians 4:3, Galatians 4:9; Colossians 2:8. Of the first principles of the oracles of God Three genitives linked to each other. Αρχης — Archēs (beginning) illustrates τα στοιχεια — ta stoicheia just before, the A B C of Christian teaching like Hebrews 6:1. Λογιον — Logion is a diminutive of logos, divine oracles being usually brief, common in the O.T. and Philo for God‘s words, in N.T. used for the O.T. (Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2), of God‘s word through Christians (1 Peter 4:11), of the substance of Christian teaching (Hebrews 5:12). Of milk Because still babes (1 Corinthians 3:2) and not able to chew “solid food” (στερεας τροπης — stereās trophēs), without intellectual and spiritual teeth.sa120 [source]
Hebrews 5:12 By reason of the time [δια τον χρονον]
Alas, what a commentary on modern Christians. That some one teach you the rudiments Neat Greek idiom, genitive case of the articular infinitive (need of the teaching) with two accusatives of the person For στοιχεια — stoicheia see Galatians 4:3, Galatians 4:9; Colossians 2:8. Of the first principles of the oracles of God Three genitives linked to each other. Αρχης — Archēs (beginning) illustrates τα στοιχεια — ta stoicheia just before, the A B C of Christian teaching like Hebrews 6:1. Λογιον — Logion is a diminutive of logos, divine oracles being usually brief, common in the O.T. and Philo for God‘s words, in N.T. used for the O.T. (Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2), of God‘s word through Christians (1 Peter 4:11), of the substance of Christian teaching (Hebrews 5:12). Of milk Because still babes (1 Corinthians 3:2) and not able to chew “solid food” (στερεας τροπης — stereās trophēs), without intellectual and spiritual teeth.sa120 [source]
Hebrews 5:12 That some one teach you the rudiments [του διδασκειν υμας τινα τα στοιχεια]
Neat Greek idiom, genitive case of the articular infinitive (need of the teaching) with two accusatives of the person For στοιχεια — stoicheia see Galatians 4:3, Galatians 4:9; Colossians 2:8. Of the first principles of the oracles of God Three genitives linked to each other. Αρχης — Archēs (beginning) illustrates τα στοιχεια — ta stoicheia just before, the A B C of Christian teaching like Hebrews 6:1. Λογιον — Logion is a diminutive of logos, divine oracles being usually brief, common in the O.T. and Philo for God‘s words, in N.T. used for the O.T. (Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2), of God‘s word through Christians (1 Peter 4:11), of the substance of Christian teaching (Hebrews 5:12). Of milk Because still babes (1 Corinthians 3:2) and not able to chew “solid food” (στερεας τροπης — stereās trophēs), without intellectual and spiritual teeth.sa120 [source]
1 Peter 4:11 Oracles [λόγια]
In classical Greek, of the oracular responses of heathen deities. Here, divine utterances or revelations. Compare Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2; Hebrews 5:12. [source]
1 Peter 4:11 Speaking as it were oracles of God [ως λογια τεου]
No predicate in this conclusion of the condition. For λογια τεου — logia theou see Acts 7:38 (Mosaic law); Romans 3:2 (the Old Testament); Hebrews 5:12 (the substance of Christian teaching), here of the utterances of God through Christian teachers. Λογιον — Logion (old word) is a diminutive of λογος — logos (speech, word). It can be construed here as nominative or as accusative. The verb has to be supplied.If any one ministereth (ει τις διακονει — ei tis diakonei). First-class condition again. See Acts 6:2-4 for the twofold division of service involved here.Which God supplieth Ablative case Peter has the compound επιχορηγεω — epichorēgeō in 2 Peter 1:5, 2 Peter 1:11. God is the supplier of strength.That God may be glorified (ινα δοχαζηται ο τεος — hina doxazētai ho theos). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the present passive subjunctive of δοχαζω — doxazō See John 15:8.Whose is “To whom (dative) is,” that is to Jesus Christ the immediate antecedent, but in Romans 16:27; Judges 1:25 the doxology is to God through Christ. For other doxologies see 1 Peter 5:11; 2 Peter 3:18; Galatians 1:5; Romans 9:5; Romans 11:36; Philemon 4:20; Ephesians 3:21; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:16; 2 Timothy 4:18; Hebrews 13:21; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:13; Revelation 7:12. The others addressed to Christ are 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Timothy 4:18; Revelation 1:6. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 7:38 mean?

This is the [one] having been in the congregation wilderness with the angel - speaking to him the Mount Sinai and of the fathers of us who received oracles living to give to us
οὗτός ἐστιν γενόμενος ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ ἐρήμῳ μετὰ τοῦ ἀγγέλου τοῦ λαλοῦντος αὐτῷ τῷ ὄρει Σινᾶ καὶ τῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν ὃς ἐδέξατο λόγια ζῶντα δοῦναι ἡμῖν

οὗτός  This 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
  the  [one] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
γενόμενος  having  been 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
ἐκκλησίᾳ  congregation 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐκκλησία  
Sense: a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly.
ἐρήμῳ  wilderness 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἔρημος  
Sense: solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited.
ἀγγέλου  angel 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἄγγελος  
Sense: a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
λαλοῦντος  speaking 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἀπολαλέω 
Sense: to utter a voice or emit a sound.
αὐτῷ  to  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ὄρει  Mount 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ὄρος  
Sense: a mountain.
Σινᾶ  Sinai 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: Σινά  
Sense: a mountain or rather a mountainous region in the peninsula of Arabia Petraea, made famous by the giving of the Mosaic law.
τῶν  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πατέρων  fathers 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: προπάτωρ 
Sense: generator or male ancestor.
ἡμῶν  of  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἐδέξατο  received 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δέχομαι  
Sense: to take with the hand.
λόγια  oracles 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: λόγιον  
Sense: a brief utterance, a divine oracle (doubtless because oracles were generally brief).
ζῶντα  living 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ζάω  
Sense: to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead).
δοῦναι  to  give 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
ἡμῖν  to  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.