What Does Acts 16:21 Mean in the King James?
And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The charge makes belonging a gate: a teaching is barred at the point of reception and again at the point of practice.
THE MEANING
This verse names a boundary: a practice is called unlawful to receive and unlawful to enact under the identity “Romans.” Acceptance is barred before action, so belonging reaches both what is welcomed and what is done. The line exposes how group identity can be invoked to control which teachings count as permitted.
THE ROOT
ποιεῖν
poiein
GROWS FROM
ποιέω
poieō
to do, make, or carry out
The English “observe” can sound like watching a rule, but ποιεῖν (poiein), meaning “to do,” points to enacting it. This word-family also names the maker and the thing made, framing a custom as a practice people actively bring into being.
ALSO GROWS
poiētēs: maker; doer
ποιητής
This branch makes the link explicit: doing is an active role, not passive observation.
poiēma: a thing made; workmanship
ποίημα
A custom becomes visible as something made when people repeatedly enact it.
THE PATTERN
Rules around receiving and doing expose who claims authority over communal belonging.
That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.THE THREAD
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.The same ποιέω (poieō), meaning “do” or “make,” appears in Acts 16:21’s “observe” and Mark’s “ye do.” Both verses show that a custom is not merely looked at; it becomes real as people enact it.
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