Acts 13:2

Acts 13:2

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

a. NLT: One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”

b. NIV: While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

c. YLT: and in their ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Separate ye to me both Barnabas and Saul to the work to which I have called them,'

d. Amplified Bible Classic: While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate now for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

e. Worrell Translation: And, while they were ministering to the LORD, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate now to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

1. “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted…”

a. As [Strong: 1161 * de deh a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. they [Strong: 846 * autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

c. ministered [Strong: 3008 * leitourgeo li-toorg-eh'-o from 3011; to be a public servant, i.e. (by analogy) to perform religious or charitable functions (worship, obey, relieve):--minister.]

d. to the LORD [Strong: 2962 * kurios koo'-ree-os from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.]

e. and [Strong: 2532 * kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

f. fasted [Strong: 3522 * nesteuo nace-tyoo'-o from 3523; to abstain from food (religiously):--fast.]

2. “…the Holy Ghost said…”

a. the Holy [Strong: 40 * hagios hag'-ee-os from hagos (an awful thing) (compare 53, 2282); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.]

b. Ghost [Strong: 4151 * pneumatikos pnyoo-mat-ik-os' from 4151; non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious:--spiritual.]

c. said [Strong: 2036 * epo ep'-o a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from 2046, 4483, and 5346); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell.]

1). Robert E. Tourville, The Acts of the Apostles. “The Holy Ghost said” indicates definite communication from the person of the Holy Spirit. We are not told how He spoke. It seems best to take this as a message of prophecy given by one of the Spirit-filled believers.

2). Three of the nine manifestations of the Spirit involve men or women speaking, that is the Spirit of God speaking through the men or women.

a). 1 Corinthians 12:7-11  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

3). Barnabas and Saul had returned from the trip to Jerusalem and the church at Antioch continued in their seeking God. The general life in the church at Antioch, included ministering to the Lord and fasting. It was no doubt during one of their regular services that the Holy Ghost spoke.

d. [Strong: 1211 * de day probably akin to 1161; a particle of emphasis or explicitness; now, then, etc.:--also, and, doubtless, now, therefore.]

3. “…Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

a. Separate [Strong: 873 * aphorizo af-or-id'-zo from 575 and 3724; to set off by boundary, i.e. (figuratively) limit, exclude, appoint, etc.:--divide, separate, sever.] [Zodhiates: to separate, select to some office or work.]

b. me [Strong: 3427 * moi moy the simpler form of 1698; to me:--I, me, mine, my.]

c. [Strong: 5037 * te teh a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly, as correlation of 2532):--also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle.]

d. Barnabas [Strong: 921 * Barnabas bar-nab'-as of Chaldee origin (1247 and 5029); son of Nabas (i.e. prophecy); Barnabas, an Israelite:--Barnabas.]

e. and [Strong: 2532 * kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

f. Saul [Strong: 4569 * Saulos sow'-los of Hebrew origin, the same as 4549; Saulus (i.e. Shaul), the Jewish name of Paul:--Saul.]

g. for [Strong: 1519 * eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

h. the work [Strong: 2041 * ergon er'-gon from a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act:--deed, doing, labour, work.]

i. whereunto [Strong: 3739 * hos hos, including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

j. I have called [Strong: 4341 * proskaleomai pros-kal-eh'-om-ahee middle voice from 4314 and 2564; to call toward oneself, i.e. summon, invite:--call (for, to, unto).]

k. them [Strong: 846 * autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

1). This phrase is so rich in wisdom. It shows that not only is it God who does the calling, but he had already put in the heart of Barnabas and Saul what he wanted them to do, he had already spoken to their heart and this was a confirmation.

2). Saul was separated from his mothers womb to preach the gospel.

a). Galatians 1:15, 16 “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,

1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen…”

 3). Saul’s calling was revealed to him on the day he got saved. During his testimony to King Agrippa and Governor Festus he spoke of it.

a). Acts 26:12-18 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

26:13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

26:14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

26:15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.