Acts 9:15-16
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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God doesn't just choose people for simple tasks; He calls them a "chosen instrument," emphasizing that He designs and equips individuals with unique capacities for His specific purposes. This isn't about a person's past deeds, but about God's sovereign plan to use them, even turning former enemies into powerful messengers.
Ananias is hesitant to approach Saul, who has a fearsome reputation for persecuting Christians, but the Lord assures him that Saul is a chosen instrument. This divine redirection emphasizes that God's plans for Saul, now a believer, are far grander than his past actions might suggest. He is destined to carry the Gospel message to diverse audiences, including Gentiles, royalty, and his own people, Israel.
Saul was just radically changed, but God saw him as much more. What does it mean to be a 'chosen instrument'?
When Jesus tells Ananias to go to Saul, he calls him a 'chosen instrument.' This isn't just about Saul's conversion; it's about his destiny.
A Divine Tool
The word 'instrument' (or 'vessel') points to something God uses to accomplish His purposes. Think of it like a specialized tool—crafted and selected for a specific job. In this case, Saul, formerly a fierce persecutor, is now chosen to carry the very name of Jesus he once tried to destroy.
Predestined for Purpose
'Chosen' emphasizes that this wasn't random. God specifically selected Saul for this unique and monumental task. This highlights the divine initiative in ministry. God doesn't just find willing people; He chooses and equips them, even those with a past like Saul's. This also sets the stage for the incredible suffering he would endure, as mentioned right after (Acts 9:16), showing that 'chosen' doesn't mean 'easy path.'
Who was Saul chosen to reach? It wasn't just one group, but a diverse, challenging audience.
The verse outlines a specific, expansive mission for Saul:
Breaking Barriers
Saul's mission was to carry Jesus' name 'before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel.' This was revolutionary! Saul, a Pharisee of Pharisees, was now commissioned to reach:
Understand the original words
skeuos · Greek Noun
An object or vessel used for a specific purpose. When applied to a person, it emphasizes that they are not acting under their own initiative but as a tool in the hands of God to fulfill His sovereign mission.
eklogē · Greek Adjective
Someone selected or elected by God for a special purpose, mission, or status. It emphasizes the initiative of God in salvation and service rather than human merit.
ethnos · Greek Noun
Historically refers to all nations other than the Jews. In the New Testament, it signifies the extension of God's covenant blessings to the entire world, fulfilling the promise that all nations would be blessed through the seed of Abraham.
paschō · Greek Verb
This verse is foundational to understanding Paul's unique calling. The 'chosen instrument' designation, revealed shortly after his dramatic conversion, highlights God's sovereign choice and empowerment for a mission that would profoundly impact both Jewish and Gentile communities, including rulers.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The central events of Christianity, leading to the formation of the early church and the initial spread of the gospel.
c. AD 33-35
Stephen's Martyrdom
The stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, marks a significant escalation in persecution against believers in Jerusalem.
c. AD 34-36
Saul's Persecution of the Church
Saul of Tarsus actively persecutes followers of Jesus, authorized by the high priest, and travels to Damascus with letters to arrest them.
c. AD 34-36— this verse
Saul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus
Jesus appears to Saul in a blinding light, leading to his immediate conversion and temporary blindness.
This passage parallels Paul's calling by showing God's foreknowledge and selection of Jeremiah from the womb for a specific mission to nations, echoing the 'chosen instrument' idea for Paul.
Isaiah 49:6This prophecy speaks of a servant who will bring light to the Gentiles and be salvation to the ends of the earth, which directly foreshadows the global mission God assigns to Paul.
Romans 9:21-23Paul himself reflects on God's sovereign choice and power as the potter, using the metaphor of vessels to explain how God can choose and shape individuals, like himself, for His purposes, including both honor and suffering.
Acts 22:14-15In a later account, Jesus directly tells Paul that Ananias appeared to him to restore his sight so that Paul could 'be a witness for him to all people' of what he has seen and heard, reinforcing his role as a chosen messenger.
Galatians 1:15-16Paul explicitly states that God chose him from birth and called him through His grace to reveal His Son to the Gentiles, directly aligning with the declaration in Acts 9 that he is a chosen instrument for this very purpose.
bensonActs 9:15: "But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:"
Acts 9:15-16 . But the Lord said, Go thy way — Do not tell me how bad he has been; I know it well; but go with all speed, and execute that message of mercy with which I have charged thee; for — How great and aggravated soever his former transgressions may have been, I assure thee he is a chosen vessel — Or instrument; unto me, to bea…
calvinActs 9:13-16: "Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:"
- And Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard of many of this man, what hurt he hath done to thy servants at Jerusalem: 14. And here he hath power from the priests to bind all which call upon thy name. 15. And the Lord said unto him, Go; because he is a chosen instrument to me to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. 16. For I wi…
God doesn't just choose people for simple tasks; He calls them a "chosen instrument," emphasizing that He designs and equips individuals with unique capacities for His specific purposes. This isn't about a person's past deeds, but about God's sovereign plan to use them, even turning former enemies into powerful messengers.
Ananias is hesitant to approach Saul, who has a fearsome reputation for persecuting Christians, but the Lord assures him that Saul is a chosen instrument. This divine redirection emphasizes that God's plans for Saul, now a believer, are far grander than his past actions might suggest. He is destined to carry the Gospel message to diverse audiences, including Gentiles, royalty, and his own people, Israel.
Ananias is hesitant to approach Saul, who has a fearsome reputation for persecuting Christians, but the Lord assures him that Saul is a chosen instrument. This divine redirection emphasizes that God's plans for Saul, now a believer, are far grander than his past actions might suggest. He is destined to carry the Gospel message to diverse audiences, including Gentiles, royalty, and his own people, Israel.
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Strategic Importance
Notice the order: Gentiles, kings, then Israel. While Paul famously preached to the Jews first in many cities, his ultimate calling and the strategic thrust of his ministry were toward the Gentile world. This commission signified a major shift in God's redemptive plan, fulfilling ancient prophecies about bringing salvation to all nations.
To experience physical, mental, or emotional pain, often used in the New Testament to describe the cost of discipleship and service to Christ. It implies an endurance of hardship for the sake of the Gospel.
onoma · Greek Noun
Refers to the person, reputation, authority, and character of the one being invoked. In a biblical context, it represents the very presence and power of the person to whom it belongs.
c. AD 36
Ananias Heals Saul
Ananias, instructed by God in a vision, restores Saul's sight and baptizes him, initiating his new life as a follower of Christ.
c. AD 36 onwards
Paul's Early Ministry and Missionary Journeys
Saul, now Paul, begins his ministry, eventually becoming the apostle to the Gentiles, traveling extensively to spread the gospel to diverse peoples, including kings.
"But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”" — God doesn't just choose people for simple tasks; He calls them a "chosen instrument," emphasizing that He designs and equips individuals with unique capacities for His specific purposes. This isn't a…
