Acts 22:14-15
And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse reveals that Paul's encounter wasn't just a dramatic event; it was God's deliberate appointment for him to know God's will. This implies that prior to this, Paul, in his zeal for the law, actually didn't understand God's true purpose, highlighting that knowing God's will is a profound, ongoing journey.
Paul is recounting his conversion experience to the crowd in Jerusalem. Ananias, a devout believer, was sent by God to lay hands on Paul, restoring his sight and commissioning him as a witness to both Jews and Gentiles. Ananias specifically tells Paul that God has chosen him to know His will, see Jesus (the Righteous One), and hear His voice, setting the stage for Paul's future ministry.
Ananias tells Paul he was 'appointed' by God. What does this specific word choice reveal about God's initiative in Paul's life and mission?
The Greek word Ananias uses here, 'proecheirisato,' is a powerful one. It’s not just a simple 'choice' but suggests a 'fore-appointment' or 'pre-selection.' This highlights that God’s plan for Paul, and by extension for us, isn’t a last-minute decision. It’s a deliberate, prepared-in-advance intention.
God's Initiative
This term emphasizes that God acted first. Even before Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, God had a plan and had set him apart for it. This wasn't about Paul earning his spot, but about God’s sovereign grace initiating his calling.
Purposeful Knowledge
The purpose of this fore-appointment is clear: 'to know his will.' This goes beyond simply understanding rules; it means grasping God's heart and His redemptive plan. For Paul, this meant understanding the mystery of the gospel – how God would save both Jews and Gentiles through Christ.
Paul was chosen 'to see the Righteous One.' Who is this 'Righteous One,' and why was seeing Him so crucial for Paul's apostleship?
The title 'the Righteous One' is a significant descriptor for Jesus Christ in Scripture. It points to His perfect moral character, His sinless life, and His fulfillment of all righteousness required by God's law.
Jesus' Unique Righteousness
This title highlights Jesus' unique position. He is not only righteous Himself but also the source of righteousness for believers. He lived a life perfectly aligned with God's will and then bore the penalty for our unrighteousness on the cross.
Witness Testimony
For Paul, a direct encounter with the risen Christ—the Righteous One—was essential. As an apostle, his commission was to be a witness to Jesus' resurrection. Seeing Him directly provided the undeniable, firsthand testimony he needed to boldly proclaim the gospel and establish the truth of Christ's identity and victory.
Understand the original words
theos tōn paterōn hēmōn · Greek Noun
The covenantal God of Israel, the creator of the world who revealed himself to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). This title emphasizes the continuity of God's redemptive purpose from the Old Testament to the New.
thelēma · Greek Noun
God’s sovereign purpose or design for a person's life. It encompasses his redemptive plan for humanity and the specific calling he places upon individuals to accomplish his work.
dikaios · Greek Adjective/Noun
A messianic title for Jesus, emphasizing his perfect holiness, obedience to God, and vindication. It highlights that Jesus is the sinless Savior who satisfies the requirements of God’s law.
martys · Greek Noun
Ananias reminds Saul (Paul) that his dramatic encounter wasn't random, but a divine appointment by the God of their shared Jewish heritage, commissioning him to know God's will and witness to Jesus.
c. 33 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecies and marking a pivotal moment in God's plan for salvation.
c. 34 AD
Stephen's Martyrdom
Stephen, a prominent early Christian, is stoned to death by a hostile crowd, with Saul of Tarsus (later Paul) present and consenting.
c. 34 AD
Saul's Persecution of the Church
Saul actively persecutes the followers of Jesus, traveling to Damascus with authority to arrest Christians.
c. 34 AD
Saul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus
Saul encounters the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, is blinded, and hears Jesus speak to him.
c. 34 AD— this verse
This passage speaks of God forming his servant from the womb to be his light and restoration, echoing the sense of divine appointment and purpose seen in Acts 22:14 for Paul's mission.
Jeremiah 1:5Similar to Ananias's words to Paul, Jeremiah was consecrated and appointed as a prophet before his birth, highlighting God's sovereign choice and foreknowledge in calling individuals to know His will.
John 1:14This verse describes the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, directly relating to Paul's commission to 'see the Righteous One' and bear witness to Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God's will.
Luke 1:77This passage describes the role of John the Baptist in giving knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins, paralleling Paul's mandate to know God's will and proclaim it, particularly concerning forgiveness through Christ.
Philippians 3:10Paul expresses his desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, which directly aligns with Ananias's statement that Paul was appointed to know God's will and see the Righteous One, emphasizing the transformative encounter.
barnesActs 22:14: "And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth."
Shouldest know his will - His will in the plan of salvation, and in regard to your future life. And see that Just One - The Messiah. See the notes on Acts 3:14. As Paul was to be an apostle, and as it was the special office of an apostle to bear witness to the person and deeds of the Lord Jesus (see the notes on Acts 1:21-22), i…
pulpitActs 22:14: "And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth."
Verse 14. - Appointed for chosen, A.V.; to know for that thou shouldest know, A.V.; to see the Righteous One for see that Just One, A.V.; to hear a voice from for shouldest hear the voice of, A.V. Hath appointed thee; προεχειρίσατό σε, a word found in the New Testament only here and in Acts 26:16, and in Acts 3:20 (R.T.). In cla…
This verse reveals that Paul's encounter wasn't just a dramatic event; it was God's deliberate appointment for him to know God's will. This implies that prior to this, Paul, in his zeal for the law, actually didn't understand God's true purpose, highlighting that knowing God's will is a profound, ongoing journey.
Paul is recounting his conversion experience to the crowd in Jerusalem. Ananias, a devout believer, was sent by God to lay hands on Paul, restoring his sight and commissioning him as a witness to both Jews and Gentiles. Ananias specifically tells Paul that God has chosen him to know His will, see Jesus (the Righteous One), and hear His voice, setting the stage for Paul's future ministry.
Paul is recounting his conversion experience to the crowd in Jerusalem. Ananias, a devout believer, was sent by God to lay hands on Paul, restoring his sight and commissioning him as a witness to both Jews and Gentiles. Ananias specifically tells Paul that God has chosen him to know His will, see Jesus (the Righteous One), and hear His voice, setting the stage for Paul's future ministry.
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One who testifies to the truth of what they have personally seen, heard, or experienced regarding the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A witness is a key figure in the proclamation of the Gospel to the world.
Ananias' Vision and Commission
Ananias, a devout believer in Damascus, is divinely instructed to seek out Saul and lay hands on him to restore his sight and fill him with the Holy Spirit.
c. 34 AD
Paul's Baptism and Ministry Begins
Ananias obeys God's command, Saul's sight is restored, he is baptized, and immediately begins proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues.
"And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard." — This verse reveals that Paul's encounter wasn't just a dramatic event; it was God's deliberate appointment for him to know God's will. This implies that prior to this, Paul, in his zeal for the law…
