Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 2:40

"And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation." — Acts 2:40 (ASV)

Many other words, This discourse, though one of the longest in the New Testament, is only an outline. It contains, however, the substance of the plan of mercy and is admirably arranged to achieve its purpose.

Testify. Bear witness to. He bore witness to the promises of Christianity, to the truths pertaining to the danger of sinners, and to the truth respecting the character of that generation.

Exhort. He entreated them by arguments and promises.

Save yourselves. This expression here denotes: Preserve yourselves from the influence, opinions, and fate of this generation. It implies that they were to use diligence and effort to deliver themselves.

God deals with people as free agents. He calls upon them to put forth their own power and effort to be saved. Unless people put forth their own strength and exertion, they will never be saved. When they are saved, they will ascribe to God the praise for having inclined them to seek Him, and for the grace by which they are saved.

This generation. This refers to that age or group of people, the Jews then living. They were not to apprehend danger from them, from which they were to deliver themselves, but they were to apprehend danger from being with them, united in their plans, designs, and feelings. From the influence of their opinions, and the like, they were to escape.

That generation was notably corrupt and wicked (see Matthew 23:12, 39; Matthew 16:4; Mark 8:38). They had crucified the Messiah, and they were soon to be destroyed for their sins.

Untoward. "Perverse, refractory, not easily guided or taught." (Webster.) Our Savior had described that generation with the same character in Matthew 11:16-19.

They had shown this character uniformly. They were smooth, cunning, and plausible, but they were corrupt in principle and wicked in conduct.

The Pharisees had a great influence on the people. To break away from them was to defy all their power and doctrines, to alienate themselves from their teachers and friends, and to brave the power of those in office and those who had long claimed the right of teaching and guiding the nation.

The chief danger for those who were now awakened came from this generation: that they would deride, denounce, or persecute them, and induce them to abandon their seriousness and turn back to their sins.

Therefore, Peter exhorted them to break away from them at once and give themselves to Christ. From this we may learn:

1. If sinners are to be saved, they must make an effort. There is no promise to anyone unless they exert themselves.
2. The principal danger that besets those who are awakened arises from their former companions. These companions are often wicked, cunning, rich, and powerful. They may be their relatives and will seek to drive off their serious impressions by derision, argument, or persecution. They have a powerful hold on the affections and will seek to use it to prevent those who are awakened from becoming Christians.
3. Those who are awakened should resolve at once to break away from their evil companions and unite themselves with Christ and His people. There may be no other way this can be done than by resolving to forsake the society of those who are infidels, scoffers, and profane. They should forsake the world, give themselves up to God, and resolve to have only as much dealing with the world as duty may require and as may be consistent with a supreme purpose to live for the honor of God.