What does Acts 14:15 mean?

And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Acts 14:15

Explanation

Acts 14:15 is part of the narrative of Paul and Barnabas in Lystra, an ancient city of Lycaonia. This verse captures a moment during their missionary journey when the people of Lystra began to treat Paul and Barnabas as gods after witnessing a miraculous healing performed by Paul. The inhabitants believed that the gods had come down to them in the likeness of men, identifying Paul as Hermes and Barnabas as Zeus. In response to the crowd’s attempt to offer sacrifices to them, Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes (a traditional expression of distress and disapproval) and rejected any divine status. They insisted that they were “men of like passions” (or feelings) with the Lystrans, meaning that they shared the same human nature. Their message was to reject these false honors and turn toward the “living God,” who is the creator of everything in heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is within.

The literal meaning of the verse reflects the apostles’ humility and their concern for the spiritual welfare of the people. On a deeper level, the verse emphasizes monotheism, the call to abandon idolatry, and the recognition of the Jewish-Christian God as the only true divine being.

Historical Context

The Book of Acts was authored by Luke, a companion of Paul, and it details the spread of the early Christian church following the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Acts 14:15 happened during Paul’s first missionary journey, around 46-49 AD. Lystra was a Roman colony in the region of Lycaonia (modern-day Turkey). In the ancient Roman world, emperor worship and polytheism were prevalent. The people of Lystra, being influenced by Greek and Roman mythologies, immediately interpreted the miraculous healing through their polytheistic lens.

Theological Insights

This verse offers several theological insights:

• Monotheism: It affirms the existence of one God versus the prevalent polytheistic beliefs of the time.
• The Sovereignty of God: It acknowledges God as the creator sustaining all life.
• Human Nature of Apostles: It underscores the humanity of the apostles, contrasting with the divinity attributed to Jesus.
• Repentance and Conversion: The call “to turn from these vanities” indicates the importance of repentance in early Christian teaching.
• The Living God: The phrase differentiates the Christian God from inanimate idols, emphasizing that He is active and life-giving.

Practical Applications

In contemporary life, Acts 14:15 can offer the following applications:

• Humility in Leadership: Leaders, especially those in spiritual contexts, should direct attention away from themselves and towards the divine.
• Abandonment of Idolatry: It calls modern believers to identify and turn away from modern “vanities,” which could include materialism, celebrity culture, or even ideologies that take the place of faith in God.
• Environmental Stewardship: Recognizing God as the creator of everything could encourage believers to care for the earth responsibly.

Cross-References

• Acts 10:25-26: Peter similarly refuses being worshiped, declaring he is a mere man.
• Revelation 22:8-9: John falls before an angel and is told to worship God alone.
• 1 Corinthians 8:4-6: Paul teaches there is no other God but one.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:9: Turning to God from idols is a theme in Paul’s teachings.
• Isaiah 42:8: God does not give His glory to another nor His praise to idols.

Language Study

Key words in their original Greek language include:

• “Like passions” (ὁμοιοπαθεῖς – homoiopathes): Sharing similar feelings or susceptibilities.
• “Vanities” (ματαιότητας – mataiotetas): Emptiness, futility, meaninglessness. It could be idols or false belief systems without substance or truth.
• “Living God” (θεὸν ζῶντα – theon zonta): A God that is active and life-giving, opposed to inanimate idols.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In cultures surrounding Lystra, there were numerous gods and religious practices. The deification of humans was not uncommon in Roman and Greek mythologies, where gods were thought to interact directly with humans. The response of Paul and Barnabas reflects a sharp contrast to these practices, asserting a clear divide between Creator and creation.

Scientific Perspectives

The reference to God as the creator of “heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein” may intersect with modern discussions of origins, such as the Big Bang Theory or evolution. From a scientific perspective, while the processes are described through natural laws and events, for believers, the divine involvement in the creation of the universe remains a matter of faith.

Commentaries

Commentaries offer insights into Acts 14:15 from various viewpoints:

• John Chrysostom, an early church father, focused on the apostles’ rejection of honors that belonged to God alone.
• Matthew Henry comments on the humility of the apostles and their zeal to correct the people’s mistake.
• The Pulpit Commentary notes the connection between miracles and the message of conversion, arguing that signs were meant to lead people to absolute truth.
• Modern commentators often discuss how this passage addresses the issue of idolatry in the present day and the importance of recognizing the humanity of religious leaders.