Acts 22:21

22:21 Then ¹  he said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Acts 2:39

2:39 For the promise ²  is for you and your children, and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”

Acts 17:27

17:27 so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around ³  for him and find him, ⁴  though he is ⁵  not far from each one of us.

¹ tn Grk “And.” Since this represents a response to Paul’s reply in v. 19, καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the logical sequence.

² sn The promise refers to the promise of the Holy Spirit that Jesus received from the Father in 2:33 and which he now pours out on others. The promise consists of the Holy Spirit (see note in 2:33). Jesus is the active mediator of God’s blessing.

³ tn See BDAG 1097-98 s.v. ψηλαφάω, which lists “touch, handle” and “to feel around for, grope for” as possible meanings.

⁴ sn Perhaps grope around for him and find him. The pagans’ struggle to know God is the point here. Conscience alone is not good enough.

⁵ tn The participle ὑπάρχοντα (Juparconta) has been translated as a concessive adverbial participle.