Acts 9:16
For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Acts 9:16
For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse highlights a profound shift: Jesus promises to reveal to Paul not just the how much of suffering, but the extent of it – how many different kinds of hardships he'd face. It’s a divine insight that his new mission would involve enduring the very afflictions he once inflicted, transforming him from persecutor to a testament of God's power to redeem and equip.
Ananias, initially hesitant due to Saul's fearsome reputation as a persecutor, is reassured by God that Saul will become a chosen instrument. God foretells that Saul, who once inflicted suffering, will now himself endure immense hardship and persecution for the sake of Christ's name, transforming him from persecutor to a devoted follower. This promise of suffering is part of God's plan to equip and confirm Saul for his mission, demonstrating that true service often comes with a cost.
Imagine going from being the one who causes pain to the one who experiences it. That's exactly the radical turn God had in store for Saul.
This verse reveals a dramatic shift orchestrated by God. Saul, who had been actively inflicting suffering on Christians, was about to learn firsthand what it meant to suffer for Christ's name.
Ananias had good reasons to be scared of Saul. But God saw something completely different – a 'chosen instrument' destined for greatness, even through suffering.
Ananias's fear is completely understandable. Saul was a known threat. Yet, God's perspective transcends human fear and reveals His sovereign plan.
Understand the original words
paschō · Greek Verb
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.
This verse reveals Jesus’ foresight: the very man who once inflicted immense suffering on Christians would soon experience profound suffering himself for the same cause. This highlights the dramatic nature of divine transformation and the costly path of discipleship that awaits even the most zealous converts.
c. AD 33-36— this verse
Saul persecutes the early church
Saul of Tarsus, a fervent Jewish Pharisee, actively participates in the persecution of early Christians in Jerusalem, arresting believers and consenting to the martyrdom of Stephen.
c. AD 36
Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus
On his way to arrest Christians in Damascus, Saul has a dramatic encounter with the resurrected Jesus, leading to his immediate conversion and a commission to preach the Gospel.
c. AD 36-38
Saul's initial ministry in Damascus
Following his conversion, Saul begins preaching in Damascus, but his radical change in message and association with Christians quickly makes him a target for persecution by local Jews.
c. AD 38-43
Saul retreats to Tarsus
Forced to flee Jerusalem due to plots against his life by Hellenistic Jews, Saul returns to his hometown of Tarsus, where he likely ministered for several years.
This passage provides a detailed account of Paul's extensive sufferings for the sake of Christ, directly fulfilling the prophecy spoken in Acts 9:16 about the many hardships he would endure.
Romans 8:18It highlights the theme that present sufferings are not comparable to the future glory that will be revealed in believers, echoing the perspective Paul embraced as he faced immense trials for Christ's name.
John 15:20Jesus directly states that if they persecuted Him, they will also persecute His followers, providing a foundational understanding for why Paul, once a persecutor, would himself be persecuted for Christ's name.
Philippians 3:10Paul expresses his deep desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, even sharing in His sufferings, demonstrating how the call to suffer for Christ's name became a central and desired aspect of his ministry.
barnesActs 9:16: "For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake."
For I will show him ... - This seems to be added to encourage Ananias. He had feared Saul. The Lord now informs him that Saul, hitherto his enemy, would ever after be his friend. He would not merely profess repentance, but would manifest the sincerity of it by encountering trials and reproaches for his sake. The prediction here was fully accomplished, Acts 20:23 ; 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 ; 2 Timothy 1:11-12 .
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…
This verse highlights a profound shift: Jesus promises to reveal to Paul not just the how much of suffering, but the extent of it – how many different kinds of hardships he'd face. It’s a divine insight that his new mission would involve enduring the very afflictions he once inflicted, transforming him from persecutor to a testament of God's power to redeem and equip.
Ananias, initially hesitant due to Saul's fearsome reputation as a persecutor, is reassured by God that Saul will become a chosen instrument. God foretells that Saul, who once inflicted suffering, will now himself endure immense hardship and persecution for the sake of Christ's name, transforming him from persecutor to a devoted follower. This promise of suffering is part of God's plan to equip and confirm Saul for his mission, demonstrating that true service often comes with a cost.
Ananias, initially hesitant due to Saul's fearsome reputation as a persecutor, is reassured by God that Saul will become a chosen instrument. God foretells that Saul, who once inflicted suffering, will now himself endure immense hardship and persecution for the sake of Christ's name, transforming him from persecutor to a devoted follower. This promise of suffering is part of God's plan to equip and confirm Saul for his mission, demonstrating that true service often comes with a cost.
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c. AD 43-47
Barnabas recruits Saul for ministry in Antioch
Barnabas brings Saul from Tarsus to Antioch, a major center of Gentile Christianity, where they minister together for about a year, further establishing Saul's apostolic role.
c. AD 47-49
First missionary journey with Barnabas
Saul, now often called Paul, embarks on his first major missionary journey with Barnabas, evangelizing Cyprus and parts of Asia Minor, facing significant opposition and suffering.
c. AD 50-52
Second missionary journey
Paul undertakes a second journey, this time primarily on his own after a dispute with Barnabas, traveling through Asia Minor and into Greece, establishing churches and enduring further hardship.
"For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”" — This verse highlights a profound shift: Jesus promises to reveal to Paul not just the how much of suffering, but the extent of it – how many different kinds of hardships he'd face. It’s a divine…