And the apostles [See verses 14-15] went out and preached everywhere. The Lord worked with them and confirmed the message [i.e., verified that it was true] by means of the [miraculous] signs which accompanied their ministry. May it be so.
Luke 1:1 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) Your Excellency Theophilus: Since so many people have undertaken the task of compiling a narrative of events that have happened among us, More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Amplified Bible - Classic Edition SINCE [as is well known] many have undertaken to put in order and draw up a [thorough] narrative of the surely established deeds which have been accomplished and fulfilled in and among us, American Standard Version (1901) Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to draw up a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, Common English Bible Many people have already applied themselves to the task of compiling an account of the events that have been fulfilled among us. Catholic Public Domain Version Since, indeed, many have attempted to set in order a narrative of the things that have been completed among us, Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version FORASMUCH as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a narration of the things that have been accomplished among us; |
And the apostles [See verses 14-15] went out and preached everywhere. The Lord worked with them and confirmed the message [i.e., verified that it was true] by means of the [miraculous] signs which accompanied their ministry. May it be so.
But these [signs] are written down so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that when you believe [this], you will have [never ending] life in His name [i.e., through His person and work].
One person regards a certain day as more important than another; the next person regards every day alike. Each person should be fully convinced in his own mind [i.e., concerning their relative importance].
and was fully convinced that what He had promised, He was able to carry out.
[I do this] so that their hearts will be encouraged [while] being united in [mutual] love, [and] so that they will have the wealth of a fully assured understanding, in order to fully know about God’s hidden secret, [which is] Christ.
Epaphras, who is one of you [See 1:7; 4:9], a slave of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always struggles in his prayers on your behalf so that you will remain mature and be fully convinced [that you are living] by all that God wants [for your life].
for our Gospel came to you, not merely in words, but also in power, in [a demonstration of] the Holy Spirit [See I Cor. 2:4] and with [“our” or “your”] deep conviction [of its truth]. You people know what kind of men we were while living among you for your benefit.
And without question the revealed secret of godly living is great. [It is this]: He [i.e., Christ, or God], who appeared in a fleshly body [was] vindicated [of false charges] by the Holy Spirit; [He was] seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world [and finally] was taken up into glory [i.e., heaven].
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message could be fully proclaimed and that all the Gentiles could hear it. And I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. [Note: This is probably a figure of speech indicating that Paul had escaped some immediate danger. See Psa. 22:20-21].
we should draw close [to God] with a sincere heart and a fully assured faith, having had our hearts sprinkled from a guilty conscience [See 9:13-14] and having had our bodies washed with clean water [i.e., in our immersion].
And it is our desire that each one of you shows the same eagerness [to live for Christ], so as to be fully assured of your hope [in never ending life] until the end [of your days].