39 And G3767 the contention G3948 was G1096 so sharp G3948 between them, G846 that G5620 they departed asunder G673 one from the other: G575 G240 and so G5037 Barnabas G921 took G3880 Mark, G3138 and sailed G1602 unto G1519 Cyprus; G2954
And G1161 Joses, G2500 who G3588 by G5259 the apostles G652 was surnamed G1941 Barnabas, G921 (which G3739 is, G2076 being interpreted, G3177 The son G5207 of consolation,) G3874 a Levite, G3019 and of the country G1085 of Cyprus, G2953
Aristarchus G708 my G3450 fellowprisoner G4869 saluteth G782 you, G5209 and G2532 Marcus, G3138 sister's son G431 to Barnabas, G921 (touching G4012 whom G3739 ye received G2983 commandments: G1785 if G1437 he come G2064 unto G4314 you, G5209 receive G1209 him;) G846
And G1161 in G1722 those G5025 days, G2250 when the number G4129 of the disciples G3101 was multiplied, G4129 there arose G1096 a murmuring G1112 of the Grecians G1675 against G4314 the Hebrews, G1445 because G3754 their G846 widows G5503 were neglected G3865 in G1722 the daily G2522 ministration. G1248
And G1161 some G5100 of G1537 them G846 were G2258 men G435 of Cyprus G2953 and G2532 Cyrene, G2956 which, G3748 when they were come G1525 to G1519 Antioch, G490 spake G2980 unto G4314 the Grecians, G1675 preaching G2097 the Lord G2962 Jesus. G2424
So G3303 G3767 they, G3778 being sent forth G1599 by G5259 the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 departed G2718 unto G1519 Seleucia; G4581 and from G1564 thence G5037 they sailed G636 to G1519 Cyprus. G2954 And G2532 when they were G1096 at G1722 Salamis, G4529 they preached G2605 the word G3056 of God G2316 in G1722 the synagogues G4864 of the Jews: G2453 and G1161 they had G2192 also G2532 John G2491 to their minister. G5257 And G1161 when they had gone through G1330 the isle G3520 unto G891 Paphos, G3974 they found G2147 a certain G5100 sorcerer, G3097 a false prophet, G5578 a Jew, G2453 whose G3739 name G3686 was Barjesus: G919 Which G3739 was G2258 with G4862 the deputy of the country, G446 Sergius G4588 Paulus, G3972 a prudent G4908 man; G435 who G3778 called G4341 for Barnabas G921 and G2532 Saul, G4569 and desired G1934 to hear G191 the word G3056 of God. G2316 But G1161 Elymas G1681 the sorcerer G3097 (for G1063 so G3779 is his G846 name G3686 by interpretation G3177 ) withstood G436 them, G846 seeking G2212 to turn away G1294 the deputy G446 from G575 the faith. G4102 Then G1161 Saul, G4569 (who G3588 also G2532 is called Paul,) G3972 filled with G4130 the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 G2532 set his eyes G816 on G1519 him, G846 And said, G2036 O G5599 full G4134 of all G3956 subtilty G1388 and G2532 all G3956 mischief, G4468 thou child G5207 of the devil, G1228 thou enemy G2190 of all G3956 righteousness, G1343 wilt thou G3973 not G3756 cease G3973 to pervert G1294 the right G2117 ways G3598 of the Lord? G2962 And G2532 now, G3568 behold, G2400 the hand G5495 of the Lord G2962 is upon G1909 thee, G4571 and G2532 thou shalt be G2071 blind, G5185 not G3361 seeing G991 the sun G2246 for G891 a season. G2540 And G1161 immediately G3916 there fell G1968 on G1909 him G846 a mist G887 and G2532 a darkness; G4655 and G2532 he went about G4013 seeking G2212 some to lead him by the hand. G5497 Then G5119 the deputy, G446 when he saw G1492 what was done, G1096 believed, G4100 being astonished G1605 at G1909 the doctrine G1322 of the Lord. G2962
For G1063 I know G1492 that G3754 in G1722 me G1698 (that is, G5123 in G1722 my G3450 flesh,) G4561 dwelleth G3611 no G3756 good thing: G18 for G1063 to will G2309 is present G3873 with me; G3427 but G1161 how to perform G2716 that which is good G2570 I find G2147 not. G3756 For G1063 G3739 the good G18 that I would G2309 I do G4160 not: G3756 but G235 the evil G2556 which G3739 I would G2309 not, G3756 that G5124 I do. G4238 Now G1161 if G1487 G3739 I do G4160 that G5124 I G1473 would G2309 not, G3756 it is no more G2089 G3765 I G1473 that do G2716 it, G846 but G235 sin G266 that dwelleth G3611 in G1722 me. G1698 I find G2147 then G686 a law, G3551 that, G3754 when I G1698 would G2309 do G4160 good, G2570 evil G2556 is present G3873 with me. G1698
For G1063 in many things G4183 we offend G4417 all. G537 If any man G1536 offend G4417 not G3756 in G1722 word, G3056 the same G3778 is a perfect G5046 man, G435 and able G1415 also G2532 to bridle G5468 the whole G3650 body. G4983
For there is not a just H6662 man H120 upon earth, H776 that doeth H6213 good, H2896 and sinneth H2398 not.
When therefore G3767 Paul G3972 and G2532 Barnabas G921 had G1096 no G3756 small G3641 dissension G4714 and G2532 disputation G4803 with G4314 them, G846 they determined G5021 that Paul G3972 and G2532 Barnabas, G921 and G2532 certain G5100 other G243 of G1537 them, G846 should go up G305 to G1519 Jerusalem G2419 unto G4314 the apostles G652 and G2532 elders G4245 about G4012 this G5127 question. G2213
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.