40 And G1161 Paul G3972 chose G1951 Silas, G4609 and departed, G1831 being recommended G3860 by G5259 the brethren G80 unto the grace G5485 of God. G2316
And thence G2547 sailed G636 to G1519 Antioch, G490 from whence G3606 they had been G2258 recommended G3860 to the grace G5485 of God G2316 for G1519 the work G2041 which G3739 they fulfilled. G4137
Then G5119 pleased it G1380 the apostles G652 and G2532 elders, G4245 with G4862 the whole G3650 church, G1577 to send G3992 chosen G1586 men G435 of G1537 their own company G846 to G1519 Antioch G490 with G4862 Paul G3972 and G2532 Barnabas; G921 namely, Judas G2455 surnamed G1941 Barsabas, G923 and G2532 Silas, G4609 chief G2233 men G435 among G1722 the brethren: G80
And G5119 when they had fasted G3522 and G2532 prayed, G4336 and G2532 laid G2007 their hands G5495 on G2007 them, G846 they sent them away. G630
And Judas G2455 and G2532 Silas, G4609 being G5607 prophets G4396 also G2532 themselves, G846 exhorted G3870 the brethren G80 with G1223 many G4183 words, G3056 and G2532 confirmed G1991 them.
Then G1161 came he G2658 to G1519 Derbe G1191 and G2532 Lystra: G3082 and, G2532 behold, G2400 a certain G5100 disciple G3101 was G2258 there, G1563 named G3686 Timotheus, G5095 the son G5207 of a certain G5100 woman, G1135 which was a Jewess, G2453 and believed; G4103 but G1161 his father G3962 was a Greek: G1672 Which G3739 was well reported G3140 of by G5259 the brethren G80 that were at G1722 Lystra G3082 and G2532 Iconium. G2430 Him G5126 would G2309 Paul G3972 have to go forth G1831 with G4862 him; G846 and G2532 took G2983 and circumcised G4059 him G846 because G1223 of the Jews G2453 which G3588 were G5607 in G1722 those G1565 quarters: G5117 for G1063 they knew G1492 all G537 that G3754 his G846 father G3962 was G5225 a Greek. G1672
And G2532 now, G3569 brethren, G80 I commend G3908 you G5209 to God, G2316 and G2532 to the word G3056 of his G846 grace, G5485 which G3588 is able G1410 to build you up, G2026 and G2532 to give G1325 you G5213 an inheritance G2817 among G1722 all G3956 them which are sanctified. G37
But G1161 by the grace G5485 of God G2316 I am G1510 what G3739 I am: G1510 and G2532 his G846 grace G5485 which was bestowed upon G1519 me G1691 was G1096 not G3756 in vain; G2756 but G235 I laboured G2872 more abundantly G4054 than they G846 all: G3956 yet G1161 not G3756 I, G1473 but G235 the grace G5485 of God G2316 which G3588 was with G4862 me. G1698
The Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 be with G3326 thy G4675 spirit. G4151 Grace G5485 be with G3326 you. G5216 Amen. G281
All G3956 that are with G3326 me G1700 salute G782 thee. G4571 Greet G782 them that love G5368 us G2248 in G1722 the faith. G4102 Grace G5485 be with G3326 you G5216 all. G3956 Amen. G281
If G1536 there come G2064 any G1536 G5100 unto G4314 you, G5209 and G2532 bring G5342 not G3756 this G5026 doctrine, G1322 receive G2983 him G846 not G3361 into G1519 your house, G3614 neither G2532 G3361 bid G3004 him G846 God speed: G5463 For G1063 he that biddeth G3004 him G846 God speed G5463 is partaker G2841 of his G846 evil G4190 deeds. G2041
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.