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Acts 15:22-31

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

22. Then 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: 23. And 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: 24. Forasmuch 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: 25. It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26. Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell [you] the same things by mouth. 28. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29. That 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. 30. So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: 31. [Which] when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

Acts 15:22-31 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 15:22

Theological / Devotional

Pleased it. Gr. dokeo, “to seem fitting,” or, as the word was used in an official sense, the passage here may be translated, “it was ordered,” “it was voted.”

The whole church. This shows the important position occupied by the members of the church. They concurred in the commissioning of the representatives sent with the letter. In later centuries the laity was largely excluded from official church councils.

With Paul and Barnabas. The men chosen were sent along with Paul and Barnabas, in order that the confirmation of the decrees adopted might come from lips other than those of these two men, who were so personally involved in the question. Thus there would be no chance of some recalcitrant Judaizer charging Paul and Barnabas with forgery.

Judas surnamed Barsabas. The name Barsabas was also borne by Joseph, “who was surnamed Justus” (see on ch. 1:23). If Barsabas is considered a family name, this Judas and Joseph were possibly brothers. Joseph at least had been one of the personal followers of Jesus. In ch. 15:32 Judas is called a prophet.

Silas. This may be an Aramaic name, or a contraction of the Roman Silvanus. Like Judas, he was a prophet (v. 32). He became the companion of Paul on the Second Missionary Journey (v. 40), and is probably the Silvanus mentioned in 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1; 1 Peter 5:12.

Chief men. Or, “leading men,” “authorities.” Their position may have arisen from the fact that they were prophets (see v. 32). If they had been followers of Jesus, this also would have caused them to be greatly respected by the brethren.

By SdaBc