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
For G1063 it seemed good G1380 to the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 and G2532 to us, G2254 to lay upon G2007 you G5213 no G3367 greater G4119 burden G922 than G4133 these G5130 necessary things; G1876
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
Forasmuch as G1894 we have heard, G191 that G3754 certain G5100 which went out G1831 from G1537 us G2257 have troubled G5015 you G5209 with words, G3056 subverting G384 your G5216 souls, G5590 saying, G3004 Ye must be circumcised, G4059 and G2532 keep G5083 the law: G3551 to whom G3739 we gave G1291 no G3756 such commandment: G1291
Which G3739 is G2076 not G3756 another; G243 but there be G1526 some G5100 that G1508 trouble G5015 you, G5209 and G2532 would G2309 pervert G3344 the gospel G2098 of Christ. G5547 But G235 though G2532 G1437 we, G2249 or G2228 an angel G32 from G1537 heaven, G3772 preach any other gospel G2097 unto you G5213 than G3844 that which G3739 we have preached G2097 unto you, G5213 let him be G2077 accursed. G331 As G5613 we said before, G4280 so G2532 say I G3004 now G737 again, G3825 If any G1536 man preach G2097 any other G3844 gospel G2097 unto you G5209 than G3844 that G3739 ye have received, G3880 let him be G2077 accursed. G331 For G1063 do I G3982 now G737 persuade G3982 men, G444 or G2228 God? G2316 or G2228 do I seek G2212 to please G700 men? G444 for G1063 if G1487 I G700 yet G2089 pleased G700 men, G444 I should G302 not G3756 be G2252 the servant G1401 of Christ. G5547
But G235 shewed G518 G518 first G4412 unto them of G1722 Damascus, G1154 and G2532 at Jerusalem, G2414 and G5037 throughout G1519 all G3956 the coasts G5561 of Judaea, G2449 and G2532 then to the Gentiles, G1484 that they should repent G3340 and G2532 turn G1994 to G1909 God, G2316 and do G4238 works G2041 meet G514 for repentance. G3341
And G1161 that because of G1223 false brethren G5569 unawares brought in, G3920 who G3748 came in privily G3922 to spy out G2684 our G2257 liberty G1657 which G3739 we have G2192 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus, G2424 that G2443 they might bring G2615 us G2248 into bondage: G2615
And G1161 I, G1473 brethren, G80 if G1487 I G2784 yet G2089 preach G2784 circumcision, G4061 why G5101 do I G1377 yet G2089 suffer persecution? G1377 then G686 is G2673 the offence G4625 of the cross G4716 ceased. G2673 I would G3785 they were G609 even G2532 cut off G609 which trouble G387 you. G5209
For G1063 they G518 themselves G846 shew G518 of G4012 us G2257 what manner G3697 of entering in G1529 we had G2192 G2192 unto G4314 you, G5209 and G2532 how G4459 ye turned G1994 to G4314 God G2316 from G575 idols G1497 to serve G1398 the living G2198 and G2532 true G228 God; G2316
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.