What Does Acts 17:14 Mean in the King James?
And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
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 work moves in two directions at once: Paul is sent away, while Silas and Timothy remain.
THE MEANING
This verse holds departure and staying in the same frame: Paul is sent toward the sea, while Silas and Timothy remain there. A shared moment can take shape through different movements; everyone does not have to go to the same place.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It loosens the belief that the one who leaves matters more than those who remain: the verse names both movements.
THE ROOT
ἀπέστειλαν
apesteilan
GROWS FROM
στέλλω
stellō
send or dispatch; with ἀπό (apo), send away or forth
“sent away” in this verse is apesteilan. The same word family gives ἀπόστολος (apostolos), a messenger or one sent. Paul’s departure is described with a word that also belongs to sending someone out; leaving and being sent belong to one field of meaning.
ALSO GROWS
apostolos: messenger; one sent
ἀπόστολος
This related word shows how the verb for sending also names the person who carries that sending.
apostolē: sending; commission
ἀποστολή
The shared word family makes the act of dispatch visible beneath the plain account of Paul’s departure.
ὑπέμειναν
hypemeinan
GROWS FROM
μένω
menō
remain, stay, abide
“abode” in this verse is hypemeinan. The verb for Silas and Timothy’s staying is built on μένω (menō), meaning remain or abide, with ὑπό (hypo) prefixed. Their position is expressed as remaining in place while Paul moves onward, not as disappearing from the scene.
ALSO GROWS
menō: remain; abide
μένω
This root makes the staying itself an action the verse puts beside Paul’s being sent.
monē: dwelling place; abode
μονή
This related noun connects remaining with being located somewhere, which fits the verse’s clear contrast between departure and staying there.
THE PATTERN
In shared work, being sent and remaining can be distinct, simultaneous roles.
And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them.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.THE THREAD
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!“Sent” in Romans comes from the same Greek word family as the sending of Paul here. Romans shows that such dispatch can carry a message; Acts shows the concrete movement of someone sent onward.
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