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 14:15KJV
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Acts 14:15 (KJV)

What does Acts 14:15 mean?

Acts 14:15 records Paul and Barnabas urgently telling the crowd not to worship them, explaining that they are ordinary humans just like everyone else, and urging the people to turn away from worthless idols to serve the living God who created everything. The verse emphasizes that only the true, living God deserves worship, not human beings or man-made things.

Paul and Barnabas are speaking to a crowd in Lystra who, after witnessing a miracle, tried to offer sacrifices to them as if they were gods. The apostles stop them, stressing their shared humanity (“men of like passions”) and calling the people to abandon “vanities” (meaning idols or empty beliefs) for the Creator God. This moment highlights the difference between the living God and the powerless idols common in that region.

The Greek behind Acts 14:15

  • The word “vanities” comes from ματαιότης (mataiotēs), meaning emptiness or worthlessness. Here, it points to idols or false gods, emphasizing that these objects have no real power or value.
  • The phrase “men of like passions” uses ὁμοιοπαθεῖς (homoiopathēs), which means having the same feelings or nature. Paul and Barnabas are making it clear that they are not divine, but humans with the same weaknesses as everyone else.
  • The term “living” (ζάω, zaō) for God stresses that God is alive and active, in contrast to lifeless idols.
  • The verb “turn” (ἐπιστρέφω, epistrephō) means to change direction or convert. Paul and Barnabas are urging the crowd to make a decisive shift away from idols toward the true God.

Why Acts 14:15 matters

  • Acts 14:15 clears up the misunderstanding that miracles or spiritual authority make someone divine; Paul and Barnabas insist they are only human.
  • The verse emphasizes the difference between the living Creator and the “vanities” or idols, which were common in the ancient world but powerless.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage by showing the apostles’ mission: not to draw attention to themselves, but to point people to the one true God who made all things.

Where else these words appear

“passions” Greek G3663 · used in 2 verses

  • James 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

“vanities” Greek G3152 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Corinthians 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
  • James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

“turn” Greek G1994 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
  • Luke 8:55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
  • Acts 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

“are” Greek G2070 · used in 51 verses

  • Mark 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
  • Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
  • Galatians 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.