Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

ACTS 26:17KJV
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Acts 26:17 (KJV)

What does Acts 26:17 mean?

Acts 26:17 records God’s promise to Paul that He will rescue him from both his own people (the Jews) and from the Gentiles, and that God is sending Paul to the Gentiles. This verse highlights God’s protection over Paul and his specific mission to bring the message about Jesus to non-Jewish people.

In this scene, Paul is speaking before King Agrippa, explaining how Jesus appeared to him and gave him a mission. The verse shows that Paul’s calling involved danger from both Jews and Gentiles, but also that God Himself was sending Paul out with a purpose. This sets up the idea that Paul’s work among the Gentiles was not his own idea, but a direct assignment from God.

The Greek behind Acts 26:17

  • The word “Delivering” (ἐξαιρούμενος, exairoumenos) means to rescue or snatch out of danger. This emphasizes that God’s protection over Paul is active and ongoing, not just a one-time event.
  • The word “Gentiles” (ἔθνη, ethnē) refers to all non-Jewish nations or peoples. This makes clear that Paul’s mission was not limited to his own people but was meant for the wider world.
  • The word “send” (ἀποστέλλω, apostellō) means to send out with a specific purpose or commission. This word is often used for someone sent on an official mission, showing that Paul’s work among the Gentiles was a direct assignment from God.

Why Acts 26:17 matters

  • Acts 26:17 clarifies that Paul’s mission to the Gentiles was God’s idea, not Paul’s personal ambition, which is important for understanding his authority and purpose.
  • The verse shows that God’s protection was promised to Paul from the very start, even though his mission would be dangerous and controversial.
  • This statement connects to the larger story in Acts, where Paul often faces opposition from both Jews and Gentiles, but continues his work because he is convinced it is God’s will.

Where else these words appear

“Delivering” Greek G1807 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
  • Acts 7:10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
  • Acts 12:11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

“send” Greek G649 · used in 130 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
  • John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

“now” Greek G3568 · used in 133 verses

  • Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
  • John 21:10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

“people” Greek G2992 · used in 139 verses

  • Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
  • Luke 22:2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
  • Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.