“But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.”
My Notes
What Does Acts 26:20 Mean?
Paul describes his message to King Agrippa: he preached repentance to everyone — Damascus, Jerusalem, all the coasts of Judaea, and the Gentiles. The scope was universal. The content was consistent: repent and turn to God, doing works meet for repentance.
The message has three components: repent (change your mind), turn to God (change your direction), and do works meet for repentance (change your behavior). The repentance is intellectual, directional, and behavioral — comprehensive transformation.
"Works meet for repentance" means works that correspond to, that are worthy of, that demonstrate the reality of the repentance. The works do not produce the repentance. They prove it. Genuine turning produces visible fruit.
Paul's ministry pattern: preach the same message everywhere, to everyone. Damascus, Jerusalem, Judaea, the Gentiles — no audience gets a different gospel. The message of repentance and turning is universal.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How do repent, turn, and do works describe three dimensions of genuine transformation?
- 2.What are 'works meet for repentance' — and how do they demonstrate rather than earn salvation?
- 3.Why does Paul preach the same message to every audience — king and slave alike?
- 4.Where has your repentance been mental but not yet produced visible works that match?
Devotional
Repent, and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. Three movements. Repent — change your thinking. Turn to God — change your direction. Do works meet for repentance — change your behavior. The transformation is complete: mind, direction, and action.
Works meet for repentance. Not works that earn repentance. Works that match it. Works that demonstrate the reality of the internal change. If you have truly repented, the evidence will be visible. The fruit matches the root.
First unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles. Everyone. The message is the same for every audience. No special gospel for special people. Repent. Turn. Prove it.
Paul delivered this message to a king. The same message he preached to slaves, to philosophers, to sailors, to prisoners. The gospel does not adjust to the status of the hearer. Repentance is for everyone.
Have you repented? Not just felt sorry. Changed your mind. Turned your direction. Produced works that demonstrate the reality of the turning. The repentance that produces no visible change may not be repentance at all.
Repent. Turn. Do. Three verbs. One gospel. For everyone.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
But showed first unto them of Damascus,.... The Jews at Damascus to whom the apostle first preached; see Act 9:20.
and…
See Act 9:20-23. The 20th verse contains a summary of his labors in obedience to the command of the Lord Jesus. His…
But showed first unto them of Damascus - He appears to have preached at Damascus, and in the neighboring parts of Arabia…
All who believe a God, and have a reverence for his sovereignty, must acknowledge that those who speak and act by his…
but shewed[R. V.declared] The word signifies the delivery of a message. Saul was henceforth God's evangelist.
and at…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture