Acts 15:4

15:4-21 The first council of the church met to resolve the dispute concerning Gentiles and circumcision (15:1-2).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Act 15:4. Ἀπεδέχθησαν, they were received) in due form.—ἐκκλησίας, the Church) The Church is placed before Peter and the rest of the apostles themselves.—ἀνήγγειλαν, they reported) Jerusalem, whilst the apostles remained there, was the metropolis of the churches, and to it all questions were to be referred: Act 15:33. By this very expounding (setting forth) of the facts, the way was prepared for the decision.—μετʼ αὐτῶν) δἰ αὐτῶν, Act 15:12, with them and by them. The apostles were as ministers and as instruments. [What hath God done with thee, O man; what with thee, O minister of the word? Canst thou mention anything at all?—V. g.]

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act_15:4-5. Παρεδέχθησαν (see the critical remarks) denotes, in keeping with the delegation in Act_15:2 f., the reception, i.e. the formal receiving of the delegates as such. Comp. 2Ma_4:22. Observe the prefixing of ἐκκλησία; comp. Php_1:1.

μετʼ αὐτῶν] see on Act_14:27; comp. διʼ αὐτῶν, Act_15:12.

Act_15:5 belongs to the narrative of Luke, who here records as worthy of remark, that at the very first meeting of the delegates with the church receiving them, the very same thing was maintained by some who rose up in the assembly (ἐξανέστησ.), and was opposed (δέ) to the narration of Paul and Barnabas ὅσα ὁ Θεὸς ἐποίησε μετʼ αὐτῶν, as had been brought forward by Jews at Antioch and had occasioned this mission. Those mentioned in Act_15:1, and those who here came forward, belonged to one and the same party (the Pharisee-Christians), and therefore Act_15:5 is unjustly objected to by Schwanbeck. Beza, Piscator, Wakefield, and Heinrichs put Act_15:5 into the mouth of the delegates; holding that there is a rapid transition from the oblique to the direct form, and that ἔλεγον is to be supplied after ἐξανέστ. δέ. A harsh and arbitrary view, as the change in form of the discourse must naturally and necessarily have been suggested by the words, as in Act_1:4 and Act_17:3. That the deputation had already stated the object of their mission, was indeed self-evident from ἀπεδέχθησαν, and hence it was not requisite that Luke should particularly mention it.

αὐτούς] namely, the Gentile-Christians, as those to whom the narrative ὅσα ὁ Θεὸς ἐπ. μ. αὐτ. had chiefly reference; not the τινας ἄλλους, Act_15:2 (Lekebusch), which is erroneously inferred from Galatians 2

They must be circumcised, etc., has a dictatorial and hierarchical tone.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act 15:4 . Council at Jerusalem . παραγεν ., Lucan, see above on Act 5:21 . ἀπεδέχθησαν if we read παρεδέχ ., cf. 2Ma 4:22 (but see Hatch and Redpath); with the idea of receiving with welcome, cf. Mar 4:20 , Heb 12:6 (quotation); see Syn [280] δέχ . and λαμβ ., Grimm-Thayer; in classical Greek = ὑποδέχομαι . ὑπὸ τῆς ἐκκ .: the whole Church is regarded as concerned in the matter; as present at the public discussion in Act 15:12 and as concurring in the decision, Act 15:22 (30); the decree is issued by the Apostles and Elders, see on Act 15:23 . μετʼ αὐτῶν , see above on Act 14:27 .

[280] synonym, synonymous.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And when they were come to Jerusalem--This was Paul's THIRD VISIT TO JERUSALEM after his conversion, and on this occasion took place what is related in Gal 2:1-10. (See there).

were received of the church, and the apostles and elders--evidently at a meeting formally convened for this purpose: the deputation being one so influential, and from a church of such note.

they declared all things that God had done with them--(See on Act 14:14-27).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 4. They were received of the Church] The whole body of Christian believers.

The apostles] Either the whole or part of the twelve; though we read of none but John, Peter, and James. See Ga 2:9.

And elders] Those who were officers in the Church, under the apostles.

They declared] To this council they gave a succinct account of the great work which God had wrought by them among the Gentiles. This was St. Paul's third journey to Jerusalem after his conversion. See an account of his first journey, Ac 9:26, and of his second in Ac 11:30.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

4. They were received of the Church. By this word Church he meaneth the multitude itself and the whole body; that done, he assigneth a peculiar place to the apostles and elders, by whom Paul and Barnabas were specially received. Furthermore, because the apostles had no certain place of abode at Jerusalem, but went ever now and then sometimes to one place and sometimes to another, whithersoever occasion did call them, that church had elders to whom the ordinary government of the Church was committed; and what the one function differeth from the other we have before declared, (Acts 14:23.) And hereby it appeareth what brotherly courtesy there was in the apostles and elders, because they do not only courteously receive Paul and Barnabas, but so soon as they hear what success they had with their pains they took, they magnify the grace of God. Luke repeateth again that form of speech which we had before in the chapter next going before, when he saith, that they declared whatsoever things God had done with them. Wherein we must remember that which I said before, that God is not made a fellow-laborer, but all the whole praise of the work is ascribed to him. Therefore it is said, that he did that with Paul and Barnabas which he did by them, as he is said to deal mercifully with us when he helpeth our miseries.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

(4) They were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders.—The words imply a general gathering of the Church, members of different synagogues coining together, with the elders who presided over them. The position of the Apostles, though in some degree analogous in their relation to the elders to the later office of bishops, was yet in many ways unique. They had no local diocese, but remained at Jerusalem, guiding the progress of the Church at large, as a kind of central council, calling in the “elders,” or “presbyters,” to consult with them, and submitting the result of their deliberations to the Church at large. The three bodies stood to each other as the Boulè, or council, the Gerusia, or senate, and the Ecclesia, or assembly, in a Greek republic.

They declared all things that God had done with them.—This obviously implied a narrative of considerable length: the history of acts and sufferings, of signs and wonders, of the fruits of the Spirit as seen in the purity, and truth, and love of the Gentile converts. This took place apparently at a preliminary meeting.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

4. they were received of the church] “The church” is perhaps named first because there would on such a visit be an assembly of the whole Christian body to hear the story of the missionary labours of Paul and Barnabas before the question about which they had specially been sent from Antioch came to be discussed. The account of the spreading of the faith was for all, while the question of circumcision would be discussed only by the heads of the church, and those who could speak with authority. This preliminary meeting must have lasted for a considerable time, even if only a mere abstract of the labours, sufferings and success of Paul and Barnabas were given to those who met them. Such a recital was the best introduction that could be conceived for the question which was afterwards to be discussed and legislated on.

God had done with them] The preposition (μετὰ) implies that the Apostles deemed themselves fellow-workers with God (cp. Mar_16:20), but that they were only instruments whom God employed is also shewn below (Act_15:12) where the same labours are spoken of as “what God had wrought among the Gentiles by (διὰ) them.”

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And when they were come to Jerusalem,.... Paul and Barnabas, and the rest that came from Antioch with them:

they were received of the church; that is, that was at Jerusalem, in a very kind and respectful manner; they were received into their houses, and accommodated with everything convenient for them:

and of the apostles; particularly James, and Cephas, and John, who gave to Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, in token of their approbation of them, affection for them, and agreement with them:

and elders: the other ministers of the Gospel who preached in that place:

and they declared all things that God had done with them: just as they did to the church at Antioch, when they returned from their travels; see Gill on Act 14:27, the Arabic version here adds, as there, "and that God had opened to the Gentiles the door of faith."

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

4 And 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.

Ver. 4. They were received of the Church] i.e. By the body of the people; for the apostles and elders have a peculiar place assigned them.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

They were received of the church - By the church, in a hospitable and friendly manner. They were acknowledged as Christian brethren, and received with Christian kindness. See Gal 2:9.

And they declared - Paul and Barnabas, and those with them. That is, they stated the case; the remarkable conversion of the Gentiles, the evidence of their piety, and the origin of the present dispute.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

They were received of the church; they were owned with respect and thankfulness, for their great work and labour in the Lord’s vineyard.

All things that God had done with them: see Act 14:27.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

4. Come to Jerusalem—Paul tells us in Gal_2:2, that he went up not solely by the prudential conclusion of the Church, but by or rather according to revelation. This may have been a revelation to the Church, or to Paul directing him now to go to the metropolis and obtain from the apostles the full acknowledgment of Gentile rights and his own Gentile apostleship.

They declared—That is, in general conversations before the meeting in Act_15:6. And during this interval before the general meeting Paul held his private interviews with James, Peter, and John, (Gal_2:2-9,) which, together with the public discussions, resulted in settling Paul’s equal apostleship.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The apostles for of the apostles, A.V.; the elders for elders, A.V.; rehearsed for declared, A.V. They were received of the Church, etc. Being themselves the formal envoys of the Church of Antioch, they were formally received as such by the Church of Jerusalem, headed by the apostles and elders.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

They were received - That is solemnly welcomed.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

4. After a pleasant journey among rejoicing Churches, they reached Jerusalem. (4) " And when they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the Church, and by the apostles and elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. " They proceeded, in Jerusalem, as they had upon their return to Antioch, to give a history of their missionary tour. This was done in the presence of the Church, the apostles also being present.

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

4. παρεδέχθησαν ὑπὸ τῆς ἐκκλησίας, they were received by the Church. The ἐκκλησία is perhaps named first because there would on such a visit be an assembly of the whole Christian body to hear the story of the missionary labours of Paul and Barnabas before the question about which they had specially been sent from Antioch came to be discussed. The account of the spreading of the faith was for all, while the question of circumcision would be discussed only by the heads of the Church, and those who could speak with authority. This preliminary meeting must have lasted for a considerable time, even if only a mere abstract of the labours, sufferings and success of Paul and Barnabas were given to those who met them. Such a recital was the best introduction that could be conceived for the question which was afterwards to be discussed and legislated on.

μετ’ αὐτῶν, with them. On this preposition cf. Act 14:27. That the Apostles had a true notion of themselves as only instruments, though Christ deigned to be a fellow-worker (Mar 16:20) with them, is seen below in Act 15:12 where the preposition used is διὰ (by).

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

4.] On their arrival at Jerusalem, there seems to have taken place an official reception of them and their message, in public. There they related—as a most important datum for the determination of the question—God’s dealings with them (see on ch. 14:27), and recounted the places where churches of believing Gentiles had been founded. This having taken place, a protest was entered on the part of the Pharisee believers,—in no way doubting the truth of these conversions, nor in any way disparaging the ministry of Paul and Barnabas,—that it was necessary to circumcise αὐτούς, those of whom they had spoken, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

It may be objected, that this view would not be consistent with Paul’s statement, Gal 2:2, ἀνεθέμην αὐτοῖς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον ὃ κηρύσσω ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, κατʼ ἰδίαν δὲ τοῖς δοκοῦσιν, μήπως εἰς κενὸν τρεχω ἢ ἔδραμον. But I cannot see any inconsistency, if the words used in both cases be accurately weighed. To the ἐκκλησία, ἀπόστολοι, and πρεσβύτεροι Paul and Barnabas gave a simple recital of how God had dealt with them among the Gentiles: but Paul did not lay before the whole assembly the Gospel which he preached among the Gentiles, viz. the indifference of the Mosaic law to their salvation (Gal 1:7-9), for fear of its being hastily disparaged or repudiated, and so his work being hindered (μήπως κ.τ.λ.). But, in private interviews with the chief Apostles, James, Peter, and John (Gal 2:9), he did unfold the whole freeness of this Gospel, and so effectually, as to prepare the way for their full and public accordance with him at the council.

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Were received [προπεμφθεντες] . The word implies a cordial welcome, which they were not altogether sure of receiving.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.