Acts 15:19

διὸ ἐγὼ κρίνω, wherefore I decide. The pronoun is emphatically expressed, and indicates that the speaker is one who may decide with authority.

μὴ παρενοχλεῖν κ.τ.λ., that we trouble not them, &c. The verb is only found here in N.T., but is somewhat frequent in the LXX. Thus of the fire around the Three Children (Song of Three Child. 26) it is said οὐκ ἐλύπησεν οὐδὲ παρηνώχλησεν αὐτούς. ‘It neither hurt nor troubled them.’ Cf. also 1Ma 10:35; 1Ma 10:63, where the word is used as here in a public proclamation. The notion is of putting an obstacle in any one’s way. St James’s idea is ‘We will not by needless impediments hinder the new converts from joining us.’

τοῖς�, them which from the Gentiles are turning to God. The same phrase is used elsewhere in the Acts (cf. Acts 9:35; Acts 14:15; Acts 26:20) and its full significance is explained when in Acts 11:21 it is said of the converts at Antioch πολὺς�. It was belief in Christ as the Son of God which constituted this true turning.