Acts15
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.
5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.
6And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.
7And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;
9and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
10Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.
12And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.
13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:
14Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up:
17That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,
18Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.
19Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God;
20but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.
21For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.
22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:
24Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;
25it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth.
28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.
30So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.
31And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
33And after they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth.
34
35But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare.
37And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark.
38But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus:
40but Paul chose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.
41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 15.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The dispute raised by Judaizing teachers. (1–6). The council at Jerusalem. (7–21). The letter from the council. (22–35). Paul and Barnabas separate. (36–41).
vv1-6
Some from Judea taught the Gentile converts at Antioch, that they could not be saved, unless they observed the whole ceremonial law as given by Moses; and thus they sought to destroy Christian liberty. There is a strange proneness in us to think that all do wrong who do not just as we do. Their doctrine was very discouraging. Wise and good men desire to avoid contests and disputes as far as they can; yet when false teachers oppose the main truths of the gospel, or bring in hurtful doctrines, we must not decline to oppose them.
vv7-21
We see from the words “purifying their hearts by faith,” and the address of St. Peter, that justification by faith, and sanctification by the Holy Ghost, cannot be separated; and that both are the gift of God. We have great cause to bless God that we have heard the gospel. May we have that faith which the great Searcher of hearts approves, and attests by the seal of the Holy Spirit. Then our hearts and consciences will be purified from the guilt of sin, and we shall be freed from the burdens some try to lay upon the disciples of Christ. Paul and Barnabas showed by plain matters of fact, that God owned the preaching of the pure gospel to the Gentiles without the law of Moses; therefore to press that law upon them, was to undo what God had done. The opinion of James was, that the Gentile converts ought not to be troubled about Jewish rites, but that they should abstain from meats offered to idols, so that they might show their hatred of idolatry. Also, that they should be cautioned against fornication, which was not abhorred by the Gentiles as it should be, and even formed a part of some of their rites. They were counselled to abstain from things strangled, and from eating blood; this was forbidden by the law of Moses, and also here, from reverence to the blood of the sacrifices, which being then still offered, it would needlessly grieve the Jewish converts, and further prejudice the unconverted Jews. But as the reason has long ceased, we are left free in this, as in the like matters. Let converts be warned to avoid all appearances of the evils which they formerly practised, or are likely to be tempted to; and caution them to use Christian liberty with moderation and prudence.
vv22-35
Being warranted to declare themselves directed by the immediate influence of the Holy Ghost, the apostles and disciples were assured that it seemed good unto God the Holy Spirit, as well as to them, to lay upon the converts no other burden than the things before mentioned, which were necessary, either on their own account, or from present circumstances. It was a comfort to hear that carnal ordinances were no longer imposed on them, which perplexed the conscience, but could not purify or pacify it; and that those who troubled their minds were silenced, so that the peace of the church was restored, and that which threatened division was removed. All this was consolation for which they blessed God. Many others were at Antioch. Where many labour in the word and doctrine, yet there may be opportunity for us: the zeal and usefulness of others should stir us up, not lay us asleep.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὶς (tìs): some or any person or object
κατέρχομαι (katérchomai): to come (or go) down (literally or figuratively)
ἀπό (apó): "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Ἰουδαία (Ioudaía): the Judæan land (i.e. Judæa), a region of Palestine
ἀδελφός (adelphós): a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))
ἐὰν μή (eàn mḗ): if not, i.e. unless
περιτέμνω (peritémnō): to cut around, i.e. (specially) to circumcise
ἔθος (éthos): a usage (prescribed by habit or law)
Μωσεύς (Mōseús): Moseus, Moses, or Mouses (i.e. Mosheh), the Hebrew lawgiver
Cross References
Acts 15Amos 9:11-12 is quoted by James to prove God's plan to rebuild David's tabernacle and include Gentiles.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's journey to Jerusalem with Barnabas (and Titus) to address the circumcision controversy.
Supported by Matthew Poole, Calvin, JFB
Warns that circumcision imposes a yoke of obligation to keep the entire law, forfeiting Christ's grace.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's description of false brethren brought in secretly to spy out Christian liberty.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The apostolic letter formally repudiates the unauthorized Judean teachers who troubled the Antioch church.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The historical descent of the Holy Spirit on uncircumcised Gentiles at Cornelius's house.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The pre-Mosaic, Noahic prohibition against eating flesh with its lifeblood.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The historical account of John Mark departing from Paul and Barnabas in Pamphylia.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Certain men coming from James who caused Peter to withdraw from eating with Gentiles.
Supported by Calvin
The report of the first missionary journey showing God opened a door of faith to Gentiles.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Abraham was justified by faith prior to being circumcised, proving faith purifies apart from rites.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Later reconciliation, where Paul calls Mark profitable for the ministry despite their earlier contention.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Confirms the doctrine of justification by free grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The second part of James's quotation concerning the remnant of mankind seeking the Lord.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates the weekly public reading of the Law of Moses in the synagogues.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The Mosaic law prohibiting the eating of blood, which informed the council's decree.
Supported by Matthew Henry