Acts 16:31 (KJV)

What does Acts 16:31 mean?

Acts 16:31 says that if you put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be rescued or saved, and this promise extends to your household as well. The verse is a direct answer to someone asking how to be saved, pointing to faith in Jesus as the way.

In this scene, Paul and Silas are speaking to a jailer in Philippi who is desperate after an earthquake opens the prison doors. The jailer asks what he must do to be saved, and Paul and Silas respond with this statement. The verse highlights that salvation is available to anyone who believes, and it also shows concern for the well-being of the jailer's whole family.

The Greek behind Acts 16:31

• πιστεῦσον (pisteuson): This is the command "Believe," from a Greek word that means to trust or put confidence in. It is not just agreeing with facts but relying on someone, in this case, Jesus.
• σωθήσῃ (sōthēsē): This word means "you will be saved" or "rescued." In the context, it carries the sense of being delivered from danger or harm, both physically and spiritually.
• οἶκός (oikos): This word means "house" or "household." In Greek, it often refers not just to a building but to everyone living in the home, including family and sometimes servants.

Why Acts 16:31 matters

• Acts 16:31 makes clear that salvation is based on faith in Jesus, not on performing religious rituals or good deeds.
• The promise includes the jailer's household, showing that the message of Jesus is meant for families and communities, not just individuals.
• This verse is a turning point in the story, showing how the gospel spreads to new people in unexpected situations, even in a Roman jail.