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Acts 15

1And certain men came down from Judæa and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

1And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Commentary · verse 1

Certain men were teaching that you must be circumcised (follow the Law) in order to be saved. A perfect example of the conflict in this book about transitioning from the Dispensation of the Law to the Dispensation of Personal Grace via the Holy Spirit.

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.

2When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Commentary · verse 2

Paul and Barnabas had a great ("no small") dissension (strife, argument) and questioning with the men. It was decided that Paul and Barnabas would go to Jerusalem and speak about this with the apostles and elders there. Notice, "pastors" and "priests" were not mentioned. This was because the elders were the pastors. Otherwise, pastors were of a much lesser position than elders and apostles.

Doctrine: apostles and elders are the leaders of the New Testament Church.

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.

3And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

Commentary · verse 3

On the way to Jerusalem, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. This caused great joy among the believers.

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.

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 with them.

Commentary · verse 4

They went to Jerusalem and told the apostles and elders about all that God had done with them towards the Gentiles during their first missionary journey. They testified that God did signs and wonders in order to reach out to those who were not circumcised. This created a context for the discussion about the role of circumcision.

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.

5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

Commentary · verse 5

A certain sect of Pharisees rose up. These Pharisees believed that believers still needed to keep the Law of Moses, especially as it related to circumcision.

6And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.

6And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

Commentary · verse 6

The apostles and elders (leaders of the New Testament Church) gathered and considered 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.

7And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Commentary · verses 7-9

Doctrine: The true cleansing of the heart comes by faith. Peter opened the discussion by stating that the rest of the leaders already knew God wanted to reach the Gentiles and proved it by giving them the Holy Spirit.

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.

10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Commentary · verses 10-11

Peter used the Gentiles' receiving of the Holy Spirit as an example of being saved through grace. Peter also stated the previous dispensation was not successful, it just resulted in something none of them were able to bear.

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.

12Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Commentary · verse 12

Paul and Barnabas declared the events of their journey.

Commentary · verses 13-21

Verses 13-21: James the Lesser addressed the council.

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:

13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit 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 this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

Commentary · verse 16

James referenced Amos 9:11. It was almost as if Peter, Paul, and Barnabas preached the first part of the sermon and James preached the second part of the sermon by referencing the scriptures.

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.

17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

Commentary · verse 21

James concluded the sermon with more references to the scriptures, specifically, laws in the scriptures: Numbers 25:1-15, Leviticus 17:10-14, Genesis 9:4, etc. This may have been because James was the leader of the council and was responsible for the final word.

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:

22Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Commentary · verse 22

This meeting had begun with conflict and ended with unity because people were heard and the Word of God was used as the proof. The apostles and elders were "pleased" to send Judas-Barsabas and Silas with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. Next, the conclusion of the council was documented and shared.

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.

23And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

24Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

25It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Commentary · verses 23-26

The apostles and elders were aware that Paul and Barnabas were risking their lives for the Name of 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.

27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

29That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Commentary · verses 27-29

The letters also stated that Judas and Silas would also testify as the conclusion they had received from the Holy Spirit.

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.

30So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

31Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

32And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

Commentary · verses 30-32

Judas-Barsabas and Silas were prophets.

Doctrine: Prophets exhort and confirm God's decisions.

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.

33And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

34Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

35Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Commentary · verses 33-35

Silas stayed in Jerusalem but Paul and Barnabas went to Antioch.

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.

36And 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 how they do.

37And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

Commentary · verses 36-37

When Paul and Barnabas decided to go on another journey, Barnabas wanted John-Mark to join.

38But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

38But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

Commentary · verse 38

Paul did not think it good to take John-Mark. Paul's reason was that John-Mark left the work during the first missionary journey.

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:

39And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

Commentary · verse 39

The contention was so sharp that Paul and Barnabas separated. Barnabas took John-Mark to Cyprus.

40but Paul chose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.

40And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

Commentary · verse 40

Paul chose Silas to join him since he was recommended by the believers by the grace of the Lord. Verse 41 began Paul's second missionary journey which included an apostle (Paul) and a prophet (Silas).

Map: Paul's Second Missionary Journey Antioch, then Tarsus, then Derbe, then Lystra, then Iconium, then Antioch (Pisidia), then Troas, then Samothrace, then Neapolis, then Philippi, then Amphipolis, then Apollonia, then Thessalonica, then Berea, then Athens, then Corinth, then Cenchreae, then Ephesus, then Caesarea, then Antioch. Achaia Asia Galatia Cilicia Syria Cyprus Crete Mediterranean Sea Aegean Sea Antioch Tarsus Derbe Lystra Iconium Antioch (Pisidia) Troas Samothrace Neapolis Philippi Thessalonica Berea Athens Corinth Ephesus Caesarea
Paul's Second Missionary Journey · Acts 15:40–18:22 Antioch → Tarsus → Derbe → Lystra → Iconium → Antioch (Pisidia) → Troas → Samothrace → Neapolis → Philippi → Amphipolis → Apollonia → Thessalonica → Berea → Athens → Corinth → Cenchreae → Ephesus → Caesarea → Antioch

41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Commentary · verse 41

Paul and Silas went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. This second missionary journey also began from Antioch, but this time it was counter-clockwise on the map.

Acts 13-15 covered Paul's first missionary journey, the meeting before the council concerning circumcision, and the beginning of Paul's second missionary journey.

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