No, this article is not about the does and don’t s, good and bad, of this recently traditional day. It is to timestamp this article for the reader’s sake.

A reader mentioned Acts 16:31 and asked us to expand on its meaning. We all know of men or women turning their lives over to Christ but did not have their family follow. He and his family, including his pastor, think this verse applies to one’s personal household. I fear too many people do not do a respectable job or bother to take the time to follow the Greek on a word-for-word study. It does make a difference. This verse has a profound difference if one only gives it a surface read and his or her first impression of the meaning of this verse. 

Act 16:31 “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and (deh in Greek) you will be saved, you and (Kayhee in Greek) your household.” 

The first use of the word “and” in this same verse is deh in the Greek.  

Deh: but, and, also, moreover, now… The real question to be answered to understand the meaning of this verse is the word “saved.” We use the word “saved” to mean one thing…born again and now “saved” and outside the judgment of sin. In this verse the Greek word for saved is sode’-zo. Its basic translation is “safe” not salvation. Safe from what? Safe from the Roman military punishment and consequences for a guard who loses a prisoner. This verse says the Jailer will have both his salvation AND be *safe/saved (sode’-zo) from the Roman consequence of allowing or not stopping a prison break. 

*Strong’s G4982: to make safe, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): – heal, preserve, save (self), do well. None of these alternative words suggests salvation. 

Of course, Paul had a card up his sleeve that he had not yet revealed to the Jewish leaders who had originally had him arrested. He was a Roman citizen and KNEW the panic that will set in when he reveals this to the Jewish leadership. They FEARED the Romans. They had zero authority to put on trial and judge a Roman citizen for anything.  

I am confident most do not need a review of the circumstances surrounding this passage in Acts 16. Following the earthquake that dropped the chains on the Apostle Paul and the other prisoners then sprung each jail doors open. The jailer panicked due to the Roman code of punishment for jailers who allowed prisoners to escape; especially those already jailed and chained. The jailer would be executed without a trial and for each added person who escapes, another in his household would be executed. 

… you will be saved, you and (and is Kayhee in Greek) your household.  

Kayhee: even, so, then, too, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet. Each of these words could be substituted for the word “and” when it is Kayhee. Bible translators had to opt for ONE English word. After reviewing over 40 English translations of this verse we found two that came close to being clearer as to what was really being said.  

There are two different “and” in this passage. The first use of the word “and” in this verse is deh in the Greek.  

Deh can be translated: but, and, also, moreover, now… The real question to be answered to understand the meaning of this verse is the word “saved.” We use the word “saved” to mean one thing…born again and now “saved” and outside the judgment of sin. In this verse the Greek word for saved is *sode’-zo. Its basic translation is “safe” not salvation. Safe from what? Safe from the Roman military punishment and consequences for a guard who loses a prisoner. This verse says the Jailer will have both his salvation AND be *safe/saved (sode’-zo) from the consequence of allowing or not stopping a prison break while under his watch. 

*Strong’s G4982: to make safe, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): – heal, preserve, do well. None of these alternative words suggests salvation. 

Even though Paul had a card that he had not yet revealed to the Jewish leaders who had him arrested, he kept it until after the earthquake. He was a Roman citizen and KNEW the panic that would set in when he reveals this to the Jewish leadership. They FEARED the Romans. Such a revelation would put the lives of Paul’s oppressors in jeopardy. 

Rev. Dr. Jstark 
2023 – October