Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 13:41

"Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish; For I work a work in your days, A work which ye shall in no wise believe, if one declare it unto you." — Acts 13:41 (ASV)

Paul now uses the simple appellation “Men, brothers” (cf. vv.16, 26) as he applies his message and calls the people to repentance. Through Jesus, Paul declares, are “forgiveness of sins” and justification for “everyone who believes.” What we have here are his distinctive themes of “forgiveness [GK 912] of sins,” “justification” (GK 7467; cf. 1466), and “faith” (GK 4409; cf. 4411)—themes that resound in his first address in Acts just as they do throughout his extant letters.

The call to repentance is cast in terms of Hab 1:5. In effect, Paul concludes by warning the congregation that Habakkuk’s words apply to all who reject God’s working in Jesus’ ministry and who refuse Jesus as the divinely appointed Messiah.