Acts 15
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Except ye be circumcised, etc. - The persons who taught this doctrine appear to have been converts to Christianity; but, supposing that the Christian religion was intended to perfect the Mosaic, and not to supersede it, they insisted on the necessity of circumcision, because, by that, a man was made debtor to the whole law, to observe all its rites and ceremonies. This question produced great disturbance in the apostolic Church; and, notwithstanding the decree mentioned in this chapter, the apostles were frequently obliged to interpose their authority in order to settle it; and we find a whole Church, that at Galatia, drawn aside from the simplicity of the Christian faith by the subtilty of Judaizing teachers among themselves, who insisted on the necessity of the converted Gentiles being circumcised. Ye cannot be saved - Ye can neither enjoy God's blessing in time, nor his glory in eternity. Such an assertion as this, from any reputable authority, must necessarily shake the confidence of young converts.
Open source ↗COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM TO DECIDE ON THE NECESSITY OF CIRCUMCISION FOR THE GENTILE CONVERTS. (Acts 15:1-35) certain men--See the description of them in Gal 2:4.
Open source ↗And certain men which came down from Judea,.... To Antioch; they were not sent by the apostles, they came down of "themselves"; who they were, is not certain; that they were "judaizing" Christians, and teachers among them, is plain from the following account: according to Epiphanius (g) they were Cerinthus, and some of his followers: these taught the brethren; the Gentile converts at Antioch, who are styled "brethren", though they were Gentiles, because they were regenerated by the grace of God, and were of the same faith with the believing Jews, and in the same church state with them at Antioch: and said, except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses; or custom of Moses, which had been used from the time of Abraham, and was revived and reinforced by Moses; wherefore the Syriac version renders it, "the law of Moses"; See Gill on Joh 7:19. ye cannot be saved; these men were not only for retaining circumcision, which was now abolished, but they made it necessary to salvation; which was carrying the matter further than even the unbelieving Jews themselves did, at least some of them: for though indeed it is a notion with them, that no circumcised persons go to hell, but are all saved; and some of them say, that God rejects uncircumcised persons, and brings them down to hell (h); yet others of them speak of the godly among the nations of the world, and of the proselytes of the gate, who keep the seven precepts of Noah, as persons that shall be saved; so Ananias the Jew, preceptor to King Izates, when he signified his great desire to be circumcised, in order to put him off of it, told him, that if he was determined to follow the customs of the Jews, he might worship God without circumcision, which was more peculiar to the Jews than to be circumcised (i). (g) Contra Haere…
Open source ↗Even when things go on very smoothly and pleasantly in a state or in a church, it is folly to be secure, and to think the mountain stands strong and cannot be moved; some uneasiness or other will arise, which is not foreseen, cannot be prevented, but must be prepared for. If ever there was a heaven upon earth, surely it was in the church at Antioch at this time, when there were so many excellent ministers there, and blessed Paul among them, building up that church in her most holy faith. But here we have their peace disturbed, and differences arising. Here is, I. A new doctrine started among them, which occasioned this division, obliging the Gentile converts to submit to circumcision and the ceremonial law, Act 15:1. Many that had been proselytes to the Jewish religion became Christians; and they would have such as were proselyted to the Christian religion to become Jews. 1. The persons that urged this were certain men who came down from Judea; some think such as had been of the Pharisees (Act 15:5), or perhaps of those priests who were obedient to the faith, Act 6:7. They came from Judea, pretending perhaps to be sent by the apostles at Jerusalem, at least to be countenanced by them. Having a design to spread their notions, they came to Antioch, because that was the head-quarters of those that preached to the Gentiles, and the rendezvous of the Gentile converts; and, if they could but make an interest there, this leaven would soon be diffused to all the churches of the Gentiles. They insinuated themselves into an acquaintance with the brethren, pretended to be very glad that they had embraced the Christian faith, and congratulated them on their conversion; but tell them that yet one thing they lack, they must be circumcised. Note, Those that are ever so well taught hav…
Open source ↗15:1 These men from Judea were Jewish Christians who taught the necessity of circumcision (and with it, conversion to Judaism) in order to be saved. The central issue was how Gentiles were to be received into Christian fellowship. Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians about this time to counter the same teaching in Galatia (see Galatians Book Introduction, “Date of Writing”).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object κατέρχομαι (katérchomai, G2718) — to come (or go) down (literally or figuratively) ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… Ἰουδαία (Ioudaía, G2449) — the Judæan land (i.e. Judæa), a region of Palestine διδάσκω (didáskō, G1321) — to teach (in the same broad application) ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐὰν μή (eàn mḗ, G3362) — if not, i.e. unless περιτέμνω (peritémnō, G4059) — to cut around, i.e. (specially) to circumcise ἔθος (éthos, G1485) — a usage (prescribed by habit or law) Μωσεύς (Mōseús, G3475) — Moseus, Moses, or Mouses (i.e. Mosheh), the Hebrew lawgiver οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not δύναμαι (dýnamai, G1410) — to be able or possible
Open source ↗οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Βαρνάβας (Barnábas, G921) — son of Nabas (i.e. prophecy); Barnabas, an Israelite γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ὀλίγος (olígos, G3641) — puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially)… στάσις (stásis, G4714) — a standing (properly, the act), i.e. (by analogy) position (existence); by implication, a… συζήτησις (syzḗtēsis, G4803) — mutual questioning, i.e. discussion πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… τάσσω (tássō, G5021) — to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot) τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἄλλος (állos, G243) — "else," i.e. different (in many applications)
Open source ↗μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly προπέμπω (propémpō, G4311) — to send forward, i.e. escort or aid in travel ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, G1577) — a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation… διέρχομαι (diérchomai, G1330) — to traverse (literally) Φοινίκη (Phoiníkē, G5403) — palm-country; Phœnice (or Phœnicia), a region of Palestine καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Σαμάρεια (Samáreia, G4540) — Samaria (i.e. Shomeron), a city and region of Palestine ἐκδιηγέομαι (ekdiēgéomai, G1555) — to narrate through wholly ἐπιστροφή (epistrophḗ, G1995) — reversion, i.e. morally, revolution ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) μέγας (mégas, G3173) — big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. παραγίνομαι (paragínomai, G3854) — to become near, i.e. approach (have arrived); by implication, to appear publicly εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… Ἱερουσαλήμ (Hierousalḗm, G2419) — Hierusalem (i.e. Jerushalem), the capitol of Palestine ἀποδέχομαι (apodéchomai, G588) — to take fully, i.e. welcome (persons), approve (things) ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, G1577) — a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀπόστολος (apóstolos, G652) — a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ… πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros, G4245) — older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member… τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) ἀναγγέλλω (anangéllō, G312) — to announce (in detail) ὅσος (hósos, G3745) — as (much, great, long, etc.) as θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐξανίστημι (exanístēmi, G1817) — objectively, to produce, i.e. (figuratively) beget; subjectively, to arise, i.e.… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… αἵρεσις (haíresis, G139) — properly, a choice, i.e. (specially) a party or (abstractly) disunion Φαρισαῖος (Pharisaîos, G5330) — a separatist, i.e. exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because δεῖ (deî, G1163) — also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is… περιτέμνω (peritémnō, G4059) — to cut around, i.e. (specially) to circumcise αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) παραγγέλλω (parangéllō, G3853) — to transmit a message, i.e. (by implication) to enjoin
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἀπόστολος (apóstolos, G652) — a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πρεσβύτερος (presbýteros, G4245) — older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member… συνάγω (synágō, G4863) — to lead together, i.e. collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably) εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… τούτου (toútou, G5127) — of (from or concerning) this (person or thing) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… συζήτησις (syzḗtēsis, G4803) — mutual questioning, i.e. discussion Πέτρος (Pétros, G4074) — a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle ἀνίστημι (anístēmi, G450) — to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive) ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) ἐπίσταμαι (epístamai, G1987) — to put the mind upon, i.e. comprehend, or be acquainted with ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very καρδιογνώστης (kardiognṓstēs, G2589) — a heart-knower αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… μαρτυρέω (martyréō, G3140) — to be a witness, i.e. testify (literally or figuratively) δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that ἡμῖν (hēmîn, G2254) — to (or for, with, by) us
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… διακρίνω (diakrínō, G1252) — to separate thoroughly, i.e. (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by… οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing μεταξύ (metaxý, G3342) — betwixt (of place or person); (of time) as adjective, intervening, or (by implication)… τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… καθαρίζω (katharízō, G2511) — to cleanse (literally or figuratively) καρδία (kardía, G2588) — the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the… πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of…
Open source ↗νῦν (nŷn, G3568) — "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or… οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) πειράζω (peirázō, G3985) — to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἐπιτίθημι (epitíthēmi, G2007) — to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense) ζυγός (zygós, G2218) — a coupling, i.e. (figuratively) servitude (a law or obligation); also (literally) the… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… τράχηλος (tráchēlos, G5137) — the throat (neck), i.e. (figuratively) life μαθητής (mathētḗs, G3101) — a learner, i.e. pupil ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that οὔτε (oúte, G3777) — not too, i.e. neither or nor; by analogy, not even ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
Open source ↗ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus σώζω (sṓzō, G4982) — to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively) κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that τρόπος (trópos, G5158) — a turn, i.e. (by implication) mode or style (especially with preposition or relative… κἀκεῖνος (kakeînos, G2548) — likewise that (or those)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole πλῆθος (plēthos, G4128) — a fulness, i.e. a large number, throng, populace σιγάω (sigáō, G4601) — to keep silent (transitively or intransitively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) Βαρνάβας (Barnábas, G921) — son of Nabas (i.e. prophecy); Barnabas, an Israelite Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… ἐξηγέομαι (exēgéomai, G1834) — to consider out (aloud), i.e. rehearse, unfold ὅσος (hósos, G3745) — as (much, great, long, etc.) as σημεῖον (sēmeîon, G4592) — an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally τέρας (téras, G5059) — a prodigy or omen θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… σιγάω (sigáō, G4601) — to keep silent (transitively or intransitively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos, G2385) — Jacobus, the name of three Israelites ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me
Open source ↗Συμεών (Symeṓn, G4826) — Symeon (i.e. Shimon), the name of five Israelites ἐξηγέομαι (exēgéomai, G1834) — to consider out (aloud), i.e. rehearse, unfold καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very πρῶτον (prōton, G4412) — firstly (in time, place, order, or importance) ἐπισκέπτομαι (episképtomai, G1980) — to inspect, i.e. (by implication) to select; by extension, to go to see, relieve ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.
But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and declared, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.”
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.
And on the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin is to be circumcised.
It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said.
But because Moses gave you circumcision, you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath (not that it is from Moses, but from the patriarchs.)
Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers.
For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also.
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath.