1Great dissentions arise about circumcising the Gentiles: Paul and Barnabas are sent to consult the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 5The matter is debated in a council there; 7Peter declareth his opinion: 12Paul and Barnabas report the miracles they had wrought among the Gentiles. 13James pronounceth sentence in favour of the Gentiles, requiring of them abstinence only in a few particulars. 22Letters are sent with the determination by messengers to the churches, which are received with joy. 36Paul and Barnabas propose to visit together the churches they had planted, but disagree, and travel different ways.
1AND 1certain men which came down 2from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Excepta3ye be circumcised afterb the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
1 Namely, of the Jews, who had committed themselves to the Christian religion, verse 5, amongst whom the ancient teachers think was also the heretic Cerinthus; Epiphanius, Hæreses, 28.
2 Namely, unto Antioch.
a Gal. 5:2.
3 Namely, if ye, who have been converted from the Gentiles to the Christian religion, do not permit yourselves, besides this conversion, to be circumcised and to observe the ceremonial law.
b Gen. 17:10; Lev. 12:3.
2When therefore 4Paul and Barnabas had no small 5dissension and 6disputation with them, they 7determined thatc Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem 8unto the apostles and elders about this 9question.
4 Who opposed this false doctrine.
5 Or, when therefore an uproar was made, and no small contention to, etc.
6 Gr. inter-questioning, that is, disputing, verse 7.
7 Namely, the governors of the church at Antioch.
c Gal. 2:1.
8 Namely, Peter, James and John, Gal. 2:9.
9 Or, matter, dispute. See Acts 18:15.
3And being brought on their way 10by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring 11the conversion of the Gentiles: and they 12caused great joy unto all the brethren.
10 Which the church did to show that this matter concerned not only Paul and Barnabas, but the entire church.
11 Namely, to the Christian religion.
12 Gr. made.
4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done 13with them.
13 That is, by them. See Acts 14:27.
514But there rose up certain of the 15sect of the Pharisees 16which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise 17them, and to command them to keep 18the law of Moses.
14 Or, But, they say, there rose up certain, etc. These words are narrated by Paul and not by Luke.
15 Gr. heresy. See of this word the exposition on Acts 5:17, and of the Pharisees in Mat. 3:7.
16 That is, who had embraced the Christian religion, yet, as it appears, had not wholly cast off the old leaven of the Pharisees.
17 Namely, who have committed themselves from paganism to the Christian religion; Acts 14:27.
18 Namely, the ceremonial law, verse 24. Although it may also be understood of the moral law, to be justified thereby.
6¶And the apostles and elders 19came together 20for to consider of this matter.
19 This is the first assembly, council or synod which was held in the New Testament about matters of religion.
20 Gr. to see about this word. Hebraism.
7And when there had been much 21disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Mendand brethren, ye know how that 22a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
21 Gr. inter-questioning, that is, disputing, namely, between both parties, which both of them must be heard.
d Acts 10:20; 11:12.
22 Gr. from old days, which time some understand from the beginning of the preaching of the apostles after Christ’s ascension; others of the time of Cornelius’ conversion; Acts 10.
8And God, whiche knoweth the hearts, bare them 23witness, giving them 24the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
e 1 Chron. 28:9; 29:17; Psalm 7:9; Jer. 11:20; 17:10; 20:12.
23 Namely, that they also were acceptable to Him, Acts 10:28.
24 That is, the gifts of the Holy Ghost, both ordinary and extraordinary.
9Andf put 25no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
f Acts 10:43, 44, etc.
25 Namely, concerning the benefits and gifts, which are common to those which believe in Christ.
10Now therefore why tempt ye God, tog put 26a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able 27to bear?
g Mat. 23:4.
26 Namely, the ceremonial law, verse 5.
27 That is, perfectly to keep, not to be justified thereby. See the annotation at Acts 13 on verse 39.
11Buth we believe that through 28the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as 29they.
h Eph. 2:8; Titus 3:4.
28 That is, by the suffering and the righteousness of Jesus Christ, whereby He has merited the grace of God for us, whereof the ceremonies of the law were types; John 1:17.
29 Namely, our fathers were saved by the same grace.
12¶Then all 30the multitude 31kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
30 Namely, not of the church, but of the apostles and elders; see verse 4.
31 Namely, thereby showing their consent to that which was spoken by Peter.
13¶And after 32they had held their peace, 33James 34answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
32 Namely, Paul and Barnabas.
33 Namely, the son of Alphæus, or James the less. See of him in Acts 12:17.
34 That is, began to speak. Hebraism.
1435Simeon hath declared how God at the 36first did 37visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people 38for his name.
35 Namely, Peter, who also calls himself so, 2 Peter 1:1, otherwise also Simon, Mat. 10:2.
36 That is, long ago, verse 7.
37 Or, respected.
38 That is, for Himself. Or, in His name, that is, who should be called His people, verse 17.
15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16Afteri this I will return, and will build again 39the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again 40the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
i Amos 9:11, 12.
39 That is, the church, in which Christ, the Son of David, dwells.
40 Gr. undermined, namely, in the unbelieving Jews, in whose place the Gentiles are built as living stones.
17That the 41residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my 42name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
41 That is, not only the Jews, but also the other nations, which Amos calls Edom; see Amos 9:11, 12.
42 Gr. invoked or named upon them. See Acts 11:26.
18Known unto God are all his works 43from the beginning of the world.
43 That is, all what God does in time, which He has determined such to do from eternity.
19Wherefore my 44sentence is, that we 45trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
44 That is, this is my opinion and my feeling in this matter.
45 Or, disquiet, or that they ought not to be disquieted.
20But that we write unto them, that they abstain fromj46pollutions of idols, and fromk47fornication, and from things 48strangled, and froml49blood.
j Exod. 20:3; 1 Cor. 8:1; 10:20.
46 Or, the things which are polluted by idols, that is, from meat or drink sacrificed to idols, and which are polluted thereby, as is expounded in verse 29.
k 1 Thes. 4:3.
47 This some understand of corporal fornication, which indeed is not indifferent in itself, Exod. 20:14, but by the Gentiles was accounted no sin, and an indifferent thing, 1 Cor. 6:13, 14, 15. Others of spiritual fornication, that is, idolatry, which is everywhere called by the prophets fornication, Exod. 34:16; Lev. 20:5; Judges 2:17; Psalm 106:39; Isa. 23:17; Jer. 3:6, 8; Ezek. 16:15, 16; and, namely, of that sort of idolatry, which some, being converted out of the Gentiles, then committed, eating in the temples of idols what was offered unto the same, whereof the apostle speaks, 1 Cor. 8:9, 10 and 10:14, 21, which they thought by Christian liberty to be lawful for them, and they often did this to the great offense of the weak.
48 That is, from beasts which were dead without the letting of blood, which was an abomination to the Jews. See Gen. 9:4; Lev. 3:17; Deut. 12:23.
l Gen. 9:4.
49 Namely, separated from the animal, whether it was eaten being congealed, or was drunk being not congealed, which God had forbidden, to affright men from all cruelty and blood-shedding, Gen. 9:4.
21For Moses of old 50time hath in every city them that preach him, 51being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
50 Gr. generations.
51 That is, his writings; Neh. 8:1; Luke 16:29.
22Then pleased it the apostles and elders, 52with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and 53Silas, 54chief men among the brethren:
52 Namely, who had approved the decree of the apostles and elders.
53 This is the same who is called Silvanus, 1 Thes. 1:1 and 2 Thes. 1:1.
54 That is, who were of the most important ones for respect, knowledge and conduct amongst the ministers there.
23And they wrote letters 55by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and 56brethren send 57greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
55 Gr. by their hand, that is, ministry. Hebraism. Acts 7:25; namely, to be carried by them to the church of Antioch.
56 Namely, the other common brethren of the church of Jerusalem, who had also approved the same.
57 Gr. to be joyful; which was a common manner of salutation in the beginning of epistles, usual with the Greeks. See Acts 23:26.
24Forasmuchm as we have heard, thatn certain 58which went out from us have troubled you with words, 59subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep 60the law: to whom we gave 61no such commandment:
m as, since, because, seeing that*
n Gal. 2:4.
58 See above verse 1 and 1 John 2:19.
59 That is, making the firmness of your faith and the quietness of your minds, as it were, loose and unstable.
60 See the annotations on verse 5.
61 That is, gave no order to teach such, howsoever they misuse our name.
25It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26Men thato have 62hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
o Acts 13:50; 14:19.
62 That is, who have preached the Gospel boldly in great peril about their life.
27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things 63by mouth.
63 Gr. with, or by word.
28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and 64to us, to lay upon you 65no greater burden than these 66necessary things;
64 That is, to us by inspiration of the Holy Ghost.
65 See the exposition hereof in verse 10.
66 Namely, for this time; which, although they be not properly necessary to salvation, (except the fleeing from fornication and idolatry), yet, nevertheless they are needful to be observed for necessary peace and edification of the church, for the weak-believing Jews’ sake.
29Thatp ye abstain from 67meats offered to idols, and fromq blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication:r from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do 68well. 69Fare ye well.
p Exod. 20:3; 1 Cor. 8:1.
67 See hereof 1 Corinthians 8, throughout the entire chapter.
q Gen. 9:4; Lev. 17:14.
r 1 Thes. 4:3.
68 Or, fare well.
69 Or, Be or become strengthened. A phrase usual with the Greeks in the conclusion of epistles. See Acts 23:30.
30So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered 70the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
70 That is, the entire church.
31Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the 71consolation.
71 Or, exhortation.
32And Judas and Silas, being 72prophets also themselves, 73exhorted the brethren with many words, and 74confirmed them.
72 That is, teachers of the Word, endued with the gift to interpret properly the Holy Scripture, who were sent to add their exhortations thereto, verse 27.
73 Or, comforted.
74 Namely, in the Christian faith.
33And after they had 75tarried there 76a space, they were let go 77in peace from the brethren 78unto the apostles.
75 Gr. had made; that is, had remained. See James 4:13.
76 That is, a certain and considerable time, Acts 18:23.
77 That is, with leave of the brethren, and with wishing them all blessing and happiness. Hebraism.
78 Namely, to Jerusalem, where yet there were some apostles.
34Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35Paul also and Barnabas 79continued in Antioch, teaching and 80preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
79 Gr. wore off, namely, the time.
80 Gr. evangelizing.
36¶And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see 81how they do.
81 That is, to see how matters stand with them concerning the faith.
37And Barnabas 82determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.s
82 Or, wanted.
s Acts 12:12, 25; Col. 4:10; 2 Tim. 4:11; Philemon verse 24.
38But Paul 83thought not good to take him with them, who 84departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to 85the work.
83 Or, desired.
84 Gr. stood off. See Acts 13:13.
85 Namely, to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, for which end the Holy Ghost had called them to accomplish this, Acts 13:2.
39And the 86contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
86 Or, grievance, which came upon these holy men through human infirmity, thereby showing to be true which they say of themselves, Acts 14:15; but God turned this to the best, seeing that together, they being thus parted from one another, the Gospel was proclaimed by them in more places.
40And Paul 87chose Silas, and departed, being 88recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
87 Or, took unto him.
88 Gr. being given over.
41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming 89the churches.
89 Namely, which were gathered in those countries.