Scripture is usually subjected to scrutiny in terms of perceived contradictions, and one of the crucial debated examples includes Paul’s conversion expertise as recounted in Acts. In Acts 9:7 and 22:9, we discover two descriptions of the identical occasion, however they appear to vary within the particulars—particularly, what Paul’s companions heard. This has led many to query whether or not the Bible contradicts itself on this level.
By analyzing the unique language and context, nonetheless, we will acquire a clearer understanding of those passages. On this put up, we’ll discover the nuances within the Greek textual content and talk about how these obvious variations really harmonize, demonstrating that the Scriptures stay constant and dependable. Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the problem and see if that is really a contradiction or if there’s a extra cheap clarification.
The Alleged Contradiction between Acts 9:7 and 22:9
“The lads who traveled with him stood speechless, listening to the voice however seeing nobody” (Acts 9:7, NASB).
“And people who had been with me noticed the sunshine, to make sure, however didn’t perceive the voice of the One who was chatting with me” (Acts 22:9, NASB).
At first look, the issue isn’t instantly obvious within the NASB translation. It is because the translators made an interpretive determination to render the Greek verb for “hear” (ἀκούω) in Acts 22:9 as “perceive,” which is a professional translation possibility. To see the problem extra clearly, contemplate how the KJV interprets each passages:
“And the lads which journeyed with him stood speechless, listening to a voice, however seeing no man” (Acts 9:7, KJV).
“They usually that had been with me noticed certainly the sunshine, and had been afraid; however they heard not the voice of him that spake to me” (Acts 22:9, KJV).
It seems that at Paul’s conversion, the folks with him heard a voice. But, when Paul recounts the occasion later, he says they didn’t hear the voice. So, how are we to grasp this obvious contradiction?
Listed below are some introductory ideas on the matter:
- Luke is the writer of each accounts, and as such, if he had deemed them contradictory, he might have both omitted the small print or modified them.
- Luke was a long-time journey companion of Paul, and it’s doubtless he completed writing Acts whereas accompanying Paul in Rome, or shortly thereafter. This aligns with level #1: Luke would have had direct entry to each accounts from Paul himself. It’s subsequently unlikely that Luke would have included contradictory particulars with Paul current to confirm the narrative.
A Frequent Answer to the Situation
One proposed resolution is to look at the unique language. In Acts 9:7, the verb “hear” (ἀκούω) is used with “voice” (φωνή), which is within the genitive case. The genitive case (a descriptive case) attracts consideration to the sound of the voice. Nonetheless, in Acts 22:9, the identical verb is used, however “voice” is within the accusative case. The accusative case is alleged to focus on the comprehension or understanding of the sound. Subsequently, this distinction in case utilization is assumed to clarify the non-contradiction.
Whereas it’s true that genitive and accusative distinctions can indicate totally different nuances, this isn’t all the time the case in Hellenistic Greek (the language of the New Testomony). Though Acts displays a extra Attic model of Greek, the place such distinctions are extra frequent, urgent this level is pointless as a result of there’s a greater clarification for the 2 passages.
The Most popular Answer
A greater resolution to the obvious contradiction is to acknowledge the pliability within the regular utilization of (ἀκούω) “hear” and (φωνή) “voice/sound,” permitting the context to information the that means.
For instance, relying on context, ἀκούω can check with the precise strategy of listening to (e.g., Matt 13:16; 2 Tim 2:2) or to understanding or comprehending (e.g., Matt 11:15; 1 Cor 14:2; Gal 4:21). Equally, φωνή can check with a selected auditory voice (e.g., John 5:25; 10:4; Luke 17:15) or to an vague sound (e.g., 1 Cor 14:7; Rev 14:2; cf. 1 Samuel 7:10 within the LXX, referring to thunder).
We observe comparable nuances in English. For instance, I’d ask, “Did you hear that?” as a query of consideration, or say, “Did you HEAR that?” to emphasize understanding. Though the phrases are an identical, the nuance shifts relying on the context.
In the identical means, the contexts of Acts 9:7 and 22:9 enable for the chance that in Acts 9, the lads heard a sound or voice, however in Acts 22, Paul is emphasizing that they didn’t perceive what was mentioned. Additional help for this view comes from the truth that Paul was talking Aramaic to the group (cf. Acts 22:2). In Aramaic, very similar to Greek, the identical phrase is usually used for each listening to and understanding. When translated into Greek, ἀκούω “hear/perceive” would naturally be used because the equal of the Aramaic.
Conclusion
The NASB translation appropriately captures the nuance between Acts 9:7 and 22:9, highlighting the distinction in understanding by Paul’s companions. This isn’t a contradiction, because it merely displays the pliability of language and the interpretation of Paul’s Aramaic speech in Acts 22. Each passages can harmonize by specializing in totally different features of Paul’s conversion expertise. In Acts 9:7 the folks with Paul heard a sound (or a voice), however Acts 22 reveals they didn’t perceive what was being mentioned.
