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href="/bsb/acts/14.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/acts/14.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />In the past, he let all nations go their own way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/acts/14.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/acts/14.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/acts/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />In past generations, He let all nations go their own way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/14.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />who in the generations past allowed all the nations to go their <i>own</i> ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/acts/14.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/acts/14.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/acts/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />In past generations He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/acts/14.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/acts/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And in the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/acts/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/acts/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />In generations past He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/acts/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own way,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/acts/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In past generations He allowed all the nations to go their own way, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/acts/14.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/acts/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />In times past, God let each nation go its own way. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/acts/14.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/acts/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />In the past God allowed all people to live as they pleased.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/acts/14.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />In the past he allowed all people to go their own way. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/acts/14.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own ways, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/acts/14.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own ways,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/acts/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />who in the generations gone by allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/acts/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/14.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />In times gone by He allowed all the nations to go their own ways;<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/acts/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />In past generations, He let all nations go their own way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/acts/14.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />who in the generations gone by allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/acts/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />who in the past generations permitted all the nations to go on in their ways,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/14.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />who in the generations past allowed all the nations to go their <i>own</i> ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/acts/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> who in the past generations did suffer all the nations to go on in their ways,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/acts/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Who in past generations suffered all nations to go in their ways.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/acts/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/acts/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 14:15>In previous generations, he permitted all nations to walk in their own ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/acts/14.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/acts/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />In past generations he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/acts/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Who in generations past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/14.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />He who in the former ages was allowing all nations to go in their own way,<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/acts/14.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />who, in past generations, permitted all the nations to walk in their own ways;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/acts/14.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />who in bygone generations, suffered all nations to walk in their own ways;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/acts/14.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />who in the past generations hath suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/acts/14.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />who in past ages has let all Nations proceed in their own ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/14.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />In times gone by He allowed all the nations to go their own ways;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/acts/14.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Who, in the past generations, suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/acts/14.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />and all <i>things</i> therein, who in generations past suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways: though He left not Himself without witness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/acts/14-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=4713" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/acts/14.htm">The Visit to Lystra and Derbe</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">In</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tais (Art-DFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3944.htm" title="3944: parōchēmenais (V-RPM/P-DFP) -- To pass away time. From para and oichomai; to escape along, i.e. Be gone.">past</a> <a href="/greek/1074.htm" title="1074: geneais (N-DFP) -- From genos; a generation; by implication, an age.">generations,</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">He</a> <a href="/greek/1439.htm" title="1439: eiasen (V-AIA-3S) -- To allow, permit, let alone, leave. Of uncertain affinity; to let be, i.e. Permit or leave alone.">let</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: panta (Adj-ANP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1484.htm" title="1484: ethnē (N-ANP) -- Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.">nations</a> <a href="/greek/4198.htm" title="4198: poreuesthai (V-PNM/P) -- To travel, journey, go, die. ">go</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GN3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tais (Art-DFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">own</a> <a href="/greek/3598.htm" title="3598: hodois (N-DFP) -- A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.">way.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">17</span>Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-24.htm">Romans 1:24-28</a></span><br />Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. / They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. / For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30</a></span><br />Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12</a></span><br />So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">Deuteronomy 32:8</a></span><br />When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/12-23.htm">Job 12:23</a></span><br />He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18-20</a></span><br />They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. / And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” / He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-23.htm">Jeremiah 10:23</a></span><br />I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-21.htm">1 Corinthians 1:21</a></span><br />For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">1 Peter 4:3</a></span><br />For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/11-8.htm">Genesis 11:8-9</a></span><br />So the LORD scattered them from there over the face of all the earth, and they stopped building the city. / That is why it is called Babel, for there the LORD confused the language of the whole world, and from that place the LORD scattered them over the face of all the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-2.htm">Psalm 115:2-8</a></span><br />Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” / Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases. / Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a></span><br />We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-25.htm">Ezekiel 20:25-26</a></span><br />I also gave them over to statutes that were not good and ordinances by which they could not live. / And I pronounced them unclean through their gifts—the sacrifice of every firstborn in the fire—so that I might devastate them, in order that they would know that I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a></span><br />At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-40.htm">John 12:40</a></span><br />“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.</p><p class="hdg">suffered.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30</a></b></br> And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12</a></b></br> So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: <i>and</i> they walked in their own counsels.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/147-20.htm">Psalm 147:20</a></b></br> He hath not dealt so with any nation: and <i>as for his</i> judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/12-39.htm">Allowed</a> <a href="/luke/1-50.htm">Generations</a> <a href="/acts/14-15.htm">Good</a> <a href="/acts/14-2.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/acts/12-10.htm">Past</a> <a href="/acts/10-40.htm">Permitted</a> <a href="/acts/12-9.htm">Seemed</a> <a href="/acts/13-35.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/acts/13-18.htm">Suffered</a> <a href="/acts/11-10.htm">Times</a> <a href="/acts/14-11.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/acts/13-41.htm">Way</a> <a href="/acts/13-18.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/21-37.htm">Allowed</a> <a href="/acts/15-21.htm">Generations</a> <a href="/acts/14-17.htm">Good</a> <a href="/acts/14-27.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/acts/15-18.htm">Past</a> <a href="/acts/16-21.htm">Permitted</a> <a href="/acts/15-22.htm">Seemed</a> <a href="/acts/16-7.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/acts/16-7.htm">Suffered</a> <a href="/acts/14-17.htm">Times</a> <a href="/acts/21-21.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/acts/14-22.htm">Way</a> <a href="/acts/15-20.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 14</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/14-1.htm">Paul and Barnabas are persecuted from Iconium.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/14-8.htm">At Lystra Paul heals a cripple, whereupon they are reputed as gods.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/14-19.htm">Paul is stoned.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/14-21.htm">They pass through various churches, confirming the disciples in faith and patience.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/14-26.htm">Returning to Antioch, they report what God had done with them.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/14.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/14.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>In past generations</b><br>This phrase refers to the time before the coming of Christ and the spread of the Gospel. It highlights the period when God allowed humanity to live without the direct revelation of His will as given through the Law to Israel. This era is often associated with the Gentile nations who did not have the same covenant relationship with God as Israel did. The phrase suggests a time of divine patience and forbearance, as seen in <a href="/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30</a>, where Paul speaks of God overlooking the times of ignorance.<p><b>He let all nations</b><br>This indicates God's sovereign decision to permit the Gentile nations to follow their own paths. It reflects the biblical theme of God's allowance for human free will and the consequences of turning away from Him. This is consistent with the Old Testament narrative, where Israel is chosen as God's people, while other nations are not given the same direct guidance. <a href="/romans/1-24.htm">Romans 1:24-32</a> elaborates on how God gave people over to their sinful desires as a result of their rejection of Him.<p><b>go their own way</b><br>This phrase underscores the autonomy that God allowed the nations, which often led to idolatry and moral decay. It reflects the biblical understanding of human rebellion and the tendency to stray from God's commandments. The phrase can be connected to the broader biblical narrative of humanity's fall and the need for redemption through Christ. It also points to the fulfillment of prophecy, as the coming of Christ and the spread of the Gospel would eventually bring light to the Gentiles, as foretold in <a href="/isaiah/49-6.htm">Isaiah 49:6</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_and_barnabas.htm">Paul and Barnabas</a></b><br>The apostles who were on their first missionary journey, spreading the Gospel and establishing churches.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/lystra.htm">Lystra</a></b><br>A city in the region of Lycaonia where Paul and Barnabas preached and performed miracles, including healing a man who was lame from birth.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/gentile_nations.htm">Gentile Nations</a></b><br>Refers to the non-Jewish peoples who, in past generations, were allowed by God to follow their own paths without the direct revelation of the Law or the prophets.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The overarching theme of God's control and allowance of human free will throughout history.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/idolatry_and_paganism.htm">Idolatry and Paganism</a></b><br>The prevalent religious practices among the Gentile nations during the time before the Gospel was spread to them.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_patience_and_sovereignty.htm">God's Patience and Sovereignty</a></b><br>God, in His sovereignty, allowed nations to follow their own paths, demonstrating His patience and long-suffering nature.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_universal_need_for_the_gospel.htm">The Universal Need for the Gospel</a></b><br>Despite God's allowance of different paths, the Gospel is now the universal call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ for all nations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_responsibility_and_divine_allowance.htm">Human Responsibility and Divine Allowance</a></b><br>While God allows free will, humans are responsible for their choices and the consequences that follow.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_general_revelation.htm">The Role of General Revelation</a></b><br>Even without the Law, God's attributes were evident in creation, leaving humanity without excuse for idolatry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_evangelism.htm">The Urgency of Evangelism</a></b><br>Understanding that God once allowed ignorance but now calls for repentance, Christians are urged to share the Gospel with urgency.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 14</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_all_nations_see_god's_salvation.htm">Psalm 98:2 asserts God’s salvation is seen by all nations. How could this be true if many ancient cultures seem untouched by Hebrew beliefs?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_permissive_will_of_god.htm">What is the permissive will of God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_1_john_4_8_say_'god_is_love'.htm">How can 1 John 4:8 say 'God is love' when the Old Testament shows actions that don't seem loving?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_punish_baasha's_family_for_his_sins.htm">(1 Kings 16:2-4) How could a just God punish an entire family line for Baasha's sins without violating individual accountability?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/14.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Who in times past suffered all nations.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">all the heathen;</span> the term used being that which is always employed of the nations outside the covenant of Israel. We have here the first germ of what may be fairly described as St. Paul's philosophy of history. The times of ignorance had been permitted by God, and those who had lived in them would be equitably dealt with, and judged according to their knowledge. The same thought meets us again in the speech at Athens (<a href="/acts/17-30.htm" title="And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:">Acts 17:30</a>). In Romans 1, 2, 11, we meet with it, in an expanded form, as a more complete vindication of the righteousness of God. The ignorance and the sins of the Gentile world had been allowed to run their course, as the Law had been allowed to do its partial and imperfect work among the Jews, as parts, if one may so speak, of a great divine drama, leading both to feel the need of redemption, and preparing both for its reception. All were included in unbelief that God might have mercy upon all (<a href="/romans/11-32.htm" title="For God has concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy on all.">Romans 11:32</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="accented">The</span> <span class="accented">generations gone by</span> for <span class="accented">times</span> past, A.V.; <span class="accented">the nations</span> for <span class="accented">nations</span>, A.V. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/acts/14-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">In</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">past</span><br /><span class="grk">παρῳχημέναις</span> <span class="translit">(parōchēmenais)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3944.htm">Strong's 3944: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass away time. From para and oichomai; to escape along, i.e. Be gone.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">generations,</span><br /><span class="grk">γενεαῖς</span> <span class="translit">(geneais)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1074.htm">Strong's 1074: </a> </span><span class="str2">From genos; a generation; by implication, an age.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[He]</span><br /><span class="grk">ὃς</span> <span class="translit">(hos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">let</span><br /><span class="grk">εἴασεν</span> <span class="translit">(eiasen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1439.htm">Strong's 1439: </a> </span><span class="str2">To allow, permit, let alone, leave. Of uncertain affinity; to let be, i.e. Permit or leave alone.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="grk">πάντα</span> <span class="translit">(panta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nations</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔθνη</span> <span class="translit">(ethnē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1484.htm">Strong's 1484: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">go</span><br /><span class="grk">πορεύεσθαι</span> <span class="translit">(poreuesthai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4198.htm">Strong's 4198: </a> </span><span class="str2">To travel, journey, go, die. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">their</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῶν</span> <span class="translit">(autōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[own]</span><br /><span class="grk">ταῖς</span> <span class="translit">(tais)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">way.</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁδοῖς</span> <span class="translit">(hodois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3598.htm">Strong's 3598: </a> </span><span class="str2">A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/14-16.htm">Acts 14:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/acts/14-16.htm">Acts 14:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/acts/14-16.htm">Acts 14:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/acts/14-16.htm">Acts 14:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/acts/14-16.htm">Acts 14:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/14-16.htm">Acts 14:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/14-16.htm">Acts 14:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/14-16.htm">Acts 14:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/acts/14-16.htm">Acts 14:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/acts/14-16.htm">Acts 14:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/acts/14-16.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 14:16 Who in the generations gone by allowed (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/14-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 14:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 14:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/14-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 14:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 14:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>