“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”
My Notes
What Does Acts 20:21 Mean?
Paul summarizes his ministry message in two words: testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Testifying (diamarturomai) — solemnly witnessing, bearing testimony with earnest urgency. The word carries judicial weight — Paul testifies as a witness before a court, declaring what he knows to be true with the seriousness of sworn testimony.
Both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks — the audience is universal. Jews (the covenant people) and Greeks (the Gentile world) — both receive the same message. The gospel is not one message for Jews and another for Gentiles. It is the same testimony, the same requirements, the same offer — for everyone.
Repentance toward God — the first requirement. Repentance (metanoia — a change of mind that produces a change of direction) is directed toward God. Not mere regret. Not self-improvement. Repentance is turning — from self, from sin, from every false allegiance — toward God. The direction is the definition: toward God.
And faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ — the second requirement. Faith (pistis — trust, belief, reliance) is directed toward Jesus Christ. Not faith in a system, a doctrine, or a religious institution. Faith toward a person — the Lord Jesus Christ. The trust is personal and directional: aimed at Jesus.
The two together — repentance and faith — constitute the complete gospel response. Repentance addresses what you are turning from (sin, self, false gods) and toward (God). Faith addresses who you are trusting (Jesus Christ). They are not sequential (repent first, then believe) but simultaneous — two sides of the same response. You cannot truly repent without trusting Christ, and you cannot truly trust Christ without turning from sin.
The verse is Paul's most concise summary of the gospel message he preached for decades across the Roman Empire.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Why does Paul summarize his entire ministry message as 'repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ'?
- 2.How are repentance and faith two sides of the same response rather than sequential steps?
- 3.What does 'toward' add to both repentance and faith — and how does direction define each?
- 4.What are you still turned away from God about — and what would repentance toward him look like in that specific area?
Devotional
Repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Two words. Two directions. The entire gospel summarized in a single sentence. This is what Paul preached everywhere — to Jews and Greeks, in synagogues and marketplaces, for decades across the Roman Empire. Everything he said reduced to this: repent toward God. Trust in Jesus Christ.
Repentance toward God. Turn. Change direction. Stop walking away from God and start walking toward him. Repentance is not feeling sorry — it is changing course. It is the decision to face God instead of running from him. The toward is the key: repentance has a destination. You are not just leaving something behind. You are heading somewhere — toward the God you have been avoiding.
Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Trust. Not intellectual agreement. Not admiration from a distance. Trust — the kind that places your weight on someone else. Faith toward Jesus means relying on him — for forgiveness, for life, for everything the soul needs. The faith is directed at a person, not a principle. You trust Jesus, not an idea about Jesus.
Both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks. The message does not change based on the audience. Jews need repentance and faith. Greeks need repentance and faith. The religious need it. The irreligious need it. The moral need it. The immoral need it. The gospel is one message for every person: turn toward God. Trust in Jesus Christ.
Repentance and faith are not two steps. They are two sides of one response — like turning a coin. You cannot turn toward God without trusting the one God sent. You cannot trust Jesus without turning from what kept you from him. They happen together. And together, they are everything the gospel asks of you.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And now behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem,.... Not in his own spirit, though the Ethiopic version reads,…
Testifying - Bearing witness to the necessity of repentance toward God. Or teaching them the nature of repentance, and…
Testify both to - Jews and - Greeks - He always began with the Jews; and, in this case, he had preached to them alone…
It should seem the ship Paul and his companions were embarked in for Jerusalem attended him on purpose, and staid or…
testifying, &c.… to the Greeks The Rev. Ver.omits "the" before both nouns, the Greek having no article. "Both to Jews…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture