Acts 15:6
in Acts 15So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.
KJV
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
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This verse in Acts 15
Commentary
7 notes on this verseAnd from this passage also one can conclude that the apostles had a certain special dignity, by which they stood above the elders, otherwise Luke would have designated all of them by one common name together with the elders.
This site's exposition
sect of the Pharisees
on Acts 15:5-6
Certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed rise up, saying that it was needful to circumcise the Gentile converts and command them to keep the law of Moses, the demand now voiced from inside the Jerusalem church rather than by outside agitators. Luke's phrase, believed, keeps them among the brethren even as he names the school they came from, refusing to caricature the position as unbelief. The apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter, the council convened as a deliberate body rather than a crowd reacting on the spot.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
"And the Apostles and elders came together to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them." And this too is no small point-at a time when Jews believed, not turned away from the Gospel. "Among us," an argument from the place: "of old days," from the time.
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
And the apostles and elders came together,.... And also the brethren, or private members of the church, even the whole church, as appears from Act 15:22. Whether all the apostles were here present, is not certain; Peter, James, and John were; but who else, cannot be said: these met together for to consider of this matter; to hear what was to be said on both sides of the question, and then to judge what advice was proper to be given to the Gentiles.
Those that are most eminent in gifts and graces, and are in the most exalted stations in the church, ought to show respect to their juniors and inferiors; for, though days should speak, yet there is a spirit in man, Job xxxii.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
The apostles and elders came together - This was the first council ever held in the Christian Church; and we find that it was composed of the apostles and elders simply.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
And the apostles and elders ... - They came together in accordance with the authority in Mat 18:19-20. It would seem, also, that the whole church was convened on this occasion, and that the church concurred, at least, in the judgment expressed in this case. See Act 15:12, Act 15:22-23. For to consider of this matter - Not to decide it arbitrarily, or even by authority, without deliberation; but to compare their views, and to express the result of the whole to the church at Antioch. It was a grave and difficult question, deeply affecting the entire constitution of the Christian church, and they therefore solemnly engaged in deliberation on the subject.
The words behind it
12 Greek wordsEvery 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.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Συνήχθησάν | sunechthesan | Were gathered together | G4863 → | 59 times |
| τε | te | then | G5037 → | 213 times |
| οἱ | hoi | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἀπόστολοι | apostoloi | apostles | G652 → | 79 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| οἱ | hoi | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| πρεσβύτεροι | presbuteroi | elders | G4245 → | 65 times |
| ἰδεῖν | idein | to understand | G1492 → | 374 times |
| περὶ | peri | about | G4012 → | 332 times |
| τοῦ | tou | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| λόγου | logou | matter | G3056 → | 329 times |
| τούτου. | toutou | this. | G3778 → | 1381 times |
ΣυνήχθησάνWere gathered together
sunechthesanG4863 →59 times
τεthen
teG5037 →213 times
οἱthe
hoiG3588 →19766 times
ἀπόστολοιapostles
apostoloiG652 →79 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
οἱthe
hoiG3588 →19766 times
πρεσβύτεροιelders
presbuteroiG4245 →65 times
ἰδεῖνto understand
ideinG1492 →374 times
περὶabout
periG4012 →332 times
τοῦ<the>
touG3588 →19766 times
λόγουmatter
logouG3056 →329 times
τούτου.this.
toutouG3778 →1381 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach 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
Hebrews 13:17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for…
it leads to
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13
But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 1 Timothy 5:17
Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
- Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
- 1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13
Through
Hebrews 13:7Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
it leads to
- Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for…
- Philippians 3:17
Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you.
- Hebrews 13:17
Through
Proverbs 15:22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
it leads to
- Proverbs 11:14
For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.
- Proverbs 11:14
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies3
On this verse
On this chapter
About Acts
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 32; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Acts.