Lexical Summary aphnó: Suddenly, unexpectedly Original Word: ἄφνω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance suddenly. Adverb from aphanes (contraction); unawares, i.e. Unexpectedly -- suddenly. see GREEK aphanes NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition suddenly NASB Translation suddenly (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 869: ἄφνωἄφνω, adverb (akin to αἰφνης, see in αἰφνίδιος above), suddenly: Acts 2:2; Acts 16:26; Acts 28:6. (the Sept.; (Aeschylus), Thucydides and subsequent writings.) Topical Lexicon Overview of New Testament Usage Strong’s Greek 869 marks three decisive moments in Acts when God intervenes “suddenly,” altering human expectations and advancing His redemptive plan. Each occurrence frames a narrative pivot: the birth of the Church at Pentecost (Acts 2:2), the midnight liberation of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:26), and the reversal of pagan superstition on Malta (Acts 28:6). In every setting, the adverb underscores the sovereign freedom of God to act at the exact moment of His choosing. Contextual Theological Significance 1. Pentecost (Acts 2:2). The Spirit comes without warning: “Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting”. The unexpected timing highlights the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise (Acts 1:8) and the inauguration of the new covenant community. Patterns of Divine Intervention Strong’s 869 consistently accompanies divine action that cannot be engineered by human effort: The common thread is the immediacy of God’s rescue or revelation, reinforcing the biblical principle that “salvation is from the LORD” (Jonah 2:9). Implications for Christian Life and Ministry Believers are reminded to maintain readiness for God’s unforeseen movement. The Church is born, missionaries are freed, and evangelistic opportunities appear—all without prior notice. Thus, prayerful expectancy and obedience position God’s people to respond when He acts “suddenly.” In pastoral care, this encourages hope for impossible situations: a hardened heart may soften, a door for the gospel may open, or a crisis may resolve in an instant. Historical Reflection within Early Church Luke’s deliberate repetition of ἄφνω trains the reader to see history through a providential lens. First-century Christians faced uncertainty, yet the Spirit’s pattern of sudden intervention fostered boldness (Acts 4:31) and endurance (2 Corinthians 4:8–9). Early sermons and letters echo this expectancy, urging vigilance (1 Thessalonians 5:2–6) and faith in God’s timing. Related Old Testament Parallels The Septuagint occasionally employs cognate terms to describe swift divine action (e.g., Isaiah 29:5–6). Such continuity affirms that the God who startled Sinai with thunder continues to surprise His people in the age of the Spirit. Malachi 3:1 anticipates that “the Lord you seek will suddenly come to His temple,” a promise advanced at Pentecost and awaiting ultimate fulfillment in Christ’s return. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 869 functions as a literary beacon, drawing attention to moments when God disrupts the ordinary. Whether empowering, liberating, or protecting, the Lord’s sudden acts advance the gospel and deepen trust in His sovereign purposes. Forms and Transliterations αφνω άφνω ἄφνω αφοβίας άφοβος aphno aphnō áphno áphnōLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 2:2 AdvGRK: καὶ ἐγένετο ἄφνω ἐκ τοῦ NAS: And suddenly there came from heaven KJV: And suddenly there came a sound INT: And came suddenly out of Acts 16:26 Adv Acts 28:6 Adv |
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