The object of the verb we welcome is not explicitly stated in Greek, though the reference is to the long period of peace and the many necessary reforms that Felix is said to have brought about. The verb is stronger than a translation such as “we accept this” (Revised Standard Version) might suggest; actually the verb may also mean something like “we thank you very much for this.” We are deeply grateful to you translates a noun phrase (“with all gratitude”), qualifying the verb “we welcome this.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .