King James Version

What Does Acts 7:38 Mean?

Acts 7:38 in the King James Version says “This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our f... — study this verse from Acts chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

Acts 7:38 · KJV


Context

36

He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

37

This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. like: or, as myself

38

This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

39

To whom our fathers would not obey , but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

40

Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us. Stephen describes Moses' mediatorial role, receiving divine revelation to transmit to Israel.

The term church in the wilderness (Greek: ekklēsia) is striking—the same word for Christ's New Testament church. This challenges the notion that church began at Pentecost; rather, there has always been one covenant people of God. The congregation of believers existed before Sinai, though now expanded to include Gentiles.

The angel which spake likely refers to the Angel of the LORD—divine messenger often understood as pre-incarnate Christ. God spoke through angelic mediation at Sinai, emphasizing the holiness of the Law. Moses stood between God and people, receiving the lively oracles—Greek logion, meaning 'divine utterances' or 'words of God.'

Lively means 'living'—God's word possesses inherent power and vitality (Hebrews 4:12). The oracles remain active and relevant, not dead letters. Stephen's point: Moses delivered living words, yet the people's hearts remained dead. External possession of Scripture without Spirit-wrought faith produces only judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-24) represents the covenant-making event that constituted Israel as God's treasured possession. The giving of Torah through angelic mediation emphasizes its divine origin (Galatians 3:19, Hebrews 2:2).

Stephen addresses Jews who venerated Torah but resisted the Spirit's work. First-century Judaism emphasized scribal tradition and Oral Torah alongside written Scripture. Stephen's point cuts deep: possessing Scripture doesn't equal obeying it. The Sanhedrin possessed the lively oracles yet remained dead in sin. This speech occurs roughly 1,500 years after Sinai, yet the pattern of receiving revelation while resisting obedience continues.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing the Old Testament assembly as 'church' shape our understanding of covenant continuity?
  2. What does it mean that God's oracles are 'living,' and how should this affect our Bible reading?
  3. In what ways can we possess Scripture yet resist its authority in our lives?
  4. How does the concept of mediation—Moses between God and Israel—illuminate Christ's superior mediation?
  5. What dangers exist in religious communities that prize doctrinal orthodoxy without Spirit-empowered obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
οὗτός1 of 30

This

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἐστιν2 of 30

is he

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

τῶν3 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γενόμενος4 of 30

that was

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἐν5 of 30

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῶν6 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐκκλησίᾳ7 of 30

the church

G1577

a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth

ἐν8 of 30

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῶν9 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐρήμῳ10 of 30

the wilderness

G2048

lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)

μετὰ11 of 30

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τῶν12 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγγέλου13 of 30

the angel

G32

compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

τῶν14 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαλοῦντος15 of 30

spake

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

αὐτῷ16 of 30

to him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐν17 of 30

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῶν18 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄρει19 of 30

the mount

G3735

a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)

Σινᾶ20 of 30

Sina

G4614

sina (i.e., sinai), a mountain in arabia

καὶ21 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῶν22 of 30

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατέρων23 of 30

fathers

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἡμῶν24 of 30

with our

G2257

of (or from) us

ὃς25 of 30

who

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐδέξατο26 of 30

received

G1209

to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

λόγια27 of 30

oracles

G3051

an utterance (of god)

ζῶντα28 of 30

the lively

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

δοῦναι29 of 30

to give

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

ἡμῖν30 of 30

unto us

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 7:38 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 7:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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