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Acts 15:19

in Acts 15

It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God;

KJV

Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

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This verse in Acts 15

Commentary

5 notes on this verse

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on Acts · Written before 1107.

"Therefore I judge not to trouble." That is, not to upset matters, because if God called them, and these impositions upset the calling, then we are opposing God. He speaks with authority: I "judge."

This site's exposition

my sentence is

on Acts 15:19-21

Wherefore my sentence is, James rules, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God, circumcision and the whole law explicitly not imposed as a condition of salvation. The four items named instead, abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood, are read by the bench chiefly as concessions to shared table fellowship with Jewish believers, though the exact rationale is argued among the commentators and both readings are held here without a verdict stamped. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him grounds the four items in respect for synagogue sensibilities Paul keeps honoring for the rest of the book, not in any requirement of Torah for justification.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

The kingdom of God, in which they are to be trained up, is not meat and drink, neither the opposition nor the imposition of indifferent things, which will but trouble them; but it is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, which we are sure will trouble nobody.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
My sentence - Greek: I judge κρίνω krinō that is, I give my opinion. It is the usual language in which a judge delivers his opinion; but it does not imply here that James assumed authority to settle the case, but merely that he gave his opinion, or counsel. That we trouble not them - That we do not molest, disturb, or oppress them by imposing on them unnecessary fires and ceremonies.

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

Wherefore, my sentence--or "judgment." is, that we trouble not--with Jewish obligations. them which from among the Gentiles are turned to God--rather, "are turning." The work is regarded as in progress, and indeed was rapidly advancing.

The words behind it

13 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

14 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Acts 15:28It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements:6 worksLuke 1:3Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,5 worksGalatians 1:7–10which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.4 works1 Corinthians 7:18Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised.4 worksActs 26:20First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.4 works1 Thessalonians 1:9For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God3 works
The other 8 cross-references, with their words ▾
Acts 15:24It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said.3 worksIsaiah 55:7Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.2 worksHosea 14:2Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.2 worksActs 9:35and all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.2 worksActs 15:10Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?1 worksGalatians 5:11–12Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.1 worksGalatians 2:4This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.1 worksActs 11:21The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.0 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Isaiah 55:7

    Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely…

    it leads to

    • Proverbs 28:13

      He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

    • James 4:8–10

      Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

    • Ezekiel 18:21–23

      But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die.

    • Isaiah 44:22

      I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.

    • Luke 15:10

      In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”

  • Through

    1 Thessalonians 1:9

    For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

    it leads to

    • 1 Timothy 4:10

      To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.

  • Through

    Acts 15:24

    It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said.

    it leads to

    • Galatians 5:12

      As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!

    • Acts 15:1

      Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Where this verse is studied

About Acts

The Ascension — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)
The Ascension — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)
Acts: the study guide →Read Acts 15 →

This page draws on Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Acts of the Apostles; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Acts.

Read on in Acts 15 →