6 And G1161 the apostles G652 and G2532 elders G4245 came together G4863 for to consider G1492 of G4012 this G5127 matter. G3056
7 And G1161 when there had been G1096 much G4183 disputing, G4803 Peter G4074 rose up, G450 and said G2036 unto G4314 them, G846 Men G435 and brethren, G80 ye G5210 know G1987 how that G3754 a good G744 while G2250 ago G575 God G2316 made choice G1586 among G1722 us, G2254 that the Gentiles G1484 by G1223 my G3450 mouth G4750 should hear G191 the word G3056 of the gospel, G2098 and G2532 believe. G4100
8 And G2532 God, G2316 which knoweth the hearts, G2589 bare them G846 witness, G3140 giving G1325 them G846 the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 even G2532 as G2531 he did unto us; G2254
9 And G2532 put G1252 no G3762 difference G1252 between G3342 G5037 us G2257 and G2532 them, G846 purifying G2511 their G846 hearts G2588 by faith. G4102
10 Now G3568 therefore G3767 why G5101 tempt ye G3985 God, G2316 to put G2007 a yoke G2218 upon G1909 the neck G5137 of the disciples, G3101 which G3739 neither G3777 our G2257 fathers G3962 nor G3777 we G2249 were able G2480 to bear? G941
11 But G235 we believe G4100 that through G1223 the grace G5485 of the Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 we shall be saved, G4982 even G2596 G3739 as G5158 they. G2548
12 Then G1161 all G3956 the multitude G4128 kept silence, G4601 and G2532 gave audience G191 to Barnabas G921 and G2532 Paul, G3972 declaring G1834 what G3745 miracles G4592 and G2532 wonders G5059 God G2316 had wrought G4160 among G1722 the Gentiles G1484 by G1223 them. G846
13 And G1161 after G3326 they had held G4601 their G846 peace, G4601 James G2385 answered, G611 saying, G3004 Men G435 and brethren, G80 hearken G191 unto me: G3450
14 Simeon G4826 hath declared G1834 how G2531 God G2316 at the first G4412 did visit G1980 the Gentiles, G1484 to take G2983 out of G1537 them a people G2992 for G1909 his G846 name. G3686
15 And G2532 to this G5129 agree G4856 the words G3056 of the prophets; G4396 as G2531 it is written, G1125
16 After G3326 this G5023 I will return, G390 and G2532 will build again G456 the tabernacle G4633 of David, G1138 which G3588 is fallen down; G4098 and G2532 I will build again G456 the ruins G2679 thereof, G846 and G2532 I will set G461 it G846 up: G461
17 That G3704 G302 the residue G2645 of men G444 might seek after G1567 the Lord, G2962 and G2532 all G3956 the Gentiles, G1484 upon G1909 whom G3739 my G3450 name G3686 is called, G1941 G1909 G846 saith G3004 the Lord, G2962 who G3588 doeth G4160 all G3956 these things. G5023
18 Known G1110 unto God G2316 are G2076 all G3956 his G846 works G2041 from G575 the beginning of the world. G165
19 Wherefore G1352 my G1473 sentence is, G2919 that we trouble G3926 not G3361 them, which G3588 from among G575 the Gentiles G1484 are turned G1994 to G1909 God: G2316
20 But G235 that we write G1989 unto them, G846 that they abstain G567 from G575 pollutions G234 of idols, G1497 and G2532 from fornication, G4202 and G2532 from things strangled, G4156 and G2532 from blood. G129
21 For G1063 Moses G3475 of G1537 old G744 time G1074 hath G2192 in every G2596 city G4172 them that preach G2784 him, G846 being read G314 in G1722 the synagogues G4864 every G2596 G3956 sabbath day. G4521
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Acts 15
Commentary on Acts 15 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 15
Hitherto we have, with a great deal of pleasure, attended the apostles in their glorious travels for the propagating of the gospel in foreign parts, have seen the bounds of the church enlarged by the accession both of Jews and Gentiles to it; and thanks be to that God who always caused them to triumph. We left them, in the close of the foregoing chapter, reposing themselves at Antioch, and edifying the church there with the rehearsal of their experiences, and it is a pity they should ever be otherwise employed; but in this chapter we find other work (not so pleasant) cut out for them. The Christians and ministers are engaged in controversy, and those that should have been now busied in enlarging the dominions of the church have as much as they can do to compose the divisions of it; when they should have been making war upon the devil's kingdom they have much ado to keep the peace in Christ's kingdom. Yet this occurrence and the record of it are of great use to the church, both for warning to us to expect such unhappy discords among Christians, and direction to us what method to take for accommodating them. Here is,
Act 15:1-5
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,
Act 15:6-21
We have here a council called, not by writ, but by consent, on this occasion (v. 6): The apostles and presbyters came together, to consider this matter. They did not give their judgment separately, but came together to do it, that they might hear one another's sense in this matter; for in the multitude of counsellors there is safety and satisfaction. They did not give their judgment rashly, but considered of this matter. Though they were clear concerning it in their own minds, yet they would take time to consider of it, and to hear what might be said by the adverse party. Nor did the apostles give their judgment concerning it without the elders, the inferior ministers, to whom they thus condescended, and on whom they thus put an honour. Those that are most eminent in gifts and graces, and are in the most exalted stations in the church, ought to show respect to their juniors and inferiors; for, though days should speak, yet there is a spirit in man, Job 32:7, 8. Here is a direction to the pastors of the churches, when difficulties arise, to come together in solemn meetings for mutual advice and encouragement, that they may know one another's mind, and strengthen one another's hands, and may act in concert. Now here we have,
Act 15:22-35
We have here the result of the consultation that was held at Jerusalem about the imposing of the ceremonial law upon the Gentiles. Much more, it is likely, was said about it than is here recorded; but at length it was brought to a head, and the advice which James gave was universally approved and agreed to nemine contradicente-unanimously; and letters were accordingly sent by messengers of their own to the Gentile converts, acquainting them with their sentiments in this matter, which would be a great confirmation to them against the false teachers. Now observe here,
Act 15:36-41
We have seen one unhappy difference among the brethren, which was of a public nature, brought to a good issue; but here we have a private quarrel between two ministers, no less men than Paul and Barnabas, not compromised indeed, yet ending well.