_And certain men which came down from Judea_ Probably such as had been of the Pharisees, (Acts 15:5,) or, perhaps, of those priests which were obedient to the faith, Acts 6:7. As they came from Judea, it is likely they pretended to be sent by the apostles at Jerusalem, or, at least, to be countenanc... [ Continue Reading ]
_And being brought on their way by the church_ That is, by several of its members; _they passed through Phenice and Samaria_ Which lay in their way; _declaring_ To their fellow-Christians, whom they met with in the several towns through which they passed; _the conversion of the Gentiles_ That is, of... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the apostles, &c., came together to consider of this matter_ As the apostles commonly resided at Jerusalem, the greater part of them may have come together on this occasion; and the elders likewise, men most respectable for their grace and gifts, having been chosen to the office of elders from... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then all the multitude kept silence_ Having nothing further to object to what had been advanced; _and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul_ Who confirmed Peter's reasoning, by _declaring what miracles God had wrought among the Gentiles_ By their ministry; of which, the chief miracle was, that he had... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore my sentence_ My judgment in this matter; _is, that we trouble not_ With such observances as those now in question; _them which from among the Gentiles_ The ignorant and idolatrous Gentiles; _are turned unto God_ Are converted by divine grace to the knowledge and worship of the true God, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then pleased it the apostles_, &c. This advice was very acceptable to the apostles and elders, who unanimously declared their approbation of it; _with the whole church_ Who therefore had a part in this business; _to send chosen men_ Who might attest that this was the judgment of the apostles and al... [ Continue Reading ]
_Forasmuch as we have heard_, &c. The simplicity, weightiness, and conciseness of this letter, are highly observable; _that certain which went out from us_ That is, pretending to be sent out by us; _have troubled you with words_ By requiring you to be circumcised and to keep the law; _subverting you... [ Continue Reading ]
_For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and_, consequently, _to us_ This may include the decision which the Holy Spirit had given by his descent on Cornelius and his friends, but seems more directly to express the consciousness which this assembly had of being guided by his influences on their minds... [ Continue Reading ]
_So when they_ Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas; _came to Antioch, they gathered the multitude_ The private Christians, as well as the elders, and other official members of the church; for as they had all been concerned in sending them they had all a right to be informed of the result of their missi... [ Continue Reading ]
_And some days after_ After they had continued a considerable number of days at Antioch; _Paul_ Whose active spirit was ever forming some new scheme for the advancement of Christianity; _said to Barnabas_ His former associate; _Let us go again and visit our brethren_ The churches we have planted; _i... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Barnabas determined_ Greek, εβουλευσατο, _counselled_, or _advised; to take with them_ As their minister; _John_ His nephew, who had set out with them before. _But Paul thought not good_ Thought it not proper; _to take him who departed_, &c. Who had shown such cowardice or fickleness as to dese... [ Continue Reading ]