Acts 21:25 · Clearspring

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Other translations

WEBBE

But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our decision that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality.”

BSB

As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”

KJV

As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

ASV

But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.

BBE

But as to the Gentiles who have the faith, we sent a letter, giving our decision that they were to keep themselves from offerings made to false gods, and from blood, and from the flesh of animals put to death in ways against the law, and from the evil desires of the body.

Original Greek

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περὶ peri Concerning G4012 δὲ de now G1161 τῶν tōn those G3588 πεπιστευκότων pepisteukotōn having believed G4100 ἐθνῶν ethnōn of the Gentiles G1484 ἡμεῖς hēmeis we ourselves G3165 ἐπεστείλαμεν epesteilamen wrote to G1989 κρίναντες krinantes having adjudged G2919 μηδὲν mēden nothing G3367 τοιοῦτον toiouton such G5108 τηρεῖν tērein to keep G5083 αὐτούς autous them G846 εἰ ei only G1487 μὴ mē except G3361 φυλάσσεσθαι phulassesthai to keep from G5442 αὐτοὺς autous them G846 τό to the G3588 τε te both G5037 εἰδωλόθυτον eidōlothuton idol-sacrifices G1494 καὶ kai and G2532 τὸ to (the) G3588 αἷμα haima blood G129 καὶ kai and G2532 πνικτὸν pnikton what is strangled G4156 καὶ kai and G2532 πορνείαν.¶ porneian sexual immorality G4202

The early church

"What then," he might say, "if the Gentiles should learn it? I shall injure them." How so? say they, seeing that even we, the teachers of the Jews, have sent unto them. "As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication." Here with a kind of remonstrance, as "we," say they, commanded them, although we are preachers to the Jews, so do thou, although a preacher to the Gentiles, cooperate with us. Observe Paul: he does not say, "Well, but I can bring forward Timothy, whom I circumcised: well, but I can satisfy them by what I have to say of myself:" but he complied, and did all: for in fact thus was it expedient to do. The party of James distinctly admits that adherence to the legal ceremonies is not required of the Gentile Christians; it is equally important to notice that Paul yielded to the advice to take this view, as a concession in a matter of indifference, since he was living for the time as a Jew among Jews, that he might give no needless offence and might win the more. It was not a compromise, but an expedient concession to convictions and prejudices which it was not wise or necessary to oppose or increase.

John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Acts

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 19–26

Paul ascribed all his success to God, and to God they gave the praise. God had honoured him more than any of the apostles, yet they did not envy him; but on the contrary, glorified the Lord. They could not do more to encourage Paul to go on cheerfully in his work. James and the elders of the church at Jerusalem, asked Paul to gratify the believing Jews, by some compliance with the ceremonial law. They thought it was prudent in him to conform thus far. It was great weakness to be so fond of the shadows, when the substance was come. The religion Paul preached, tended not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it. He preached Christ, the end of the law for righteousness, and repentance and faith, in which we are to make great use of the law. The weakness and evil of the human heart strongly appear, when we consider how many, even of the disciples of Christ, had not due regard to the most eminent minister that even lived. Not the excellence of his character, nor the success with which God blessed his labours, could gain their esteem and affection, seeing that he did not render the same respect as themselves to mere ceremonial observances. How watchful should we be against prejudices! The apostles were not free from blame in all they did; and it would be hard to defend Paul from the charge of giving way too much in this matter. It is vain to attempt to court the favour of zealots, or bigots to a party. This compliance of Paul did not answer, for the very thing by which he hoped to pacify the Jews, provoked them, and brought him into trouble. But the all-wise God overruled both their advice and Paul's compliance with it, to serve a better purpose than was intended. It was in vain to think of pleasing men who would be pleased with nothing but the rooting out of Christianity. Integrity and uprightness will be more likely to preserve us than insincere compliances. And it should warn us not to press men to doing what is contrary to their own judgment to oblige us.

Read Matthew Henry on Acts 21 →

Parallel passages

2

The same words or events elsewhere.

Acts 15:20 Acts 15:29

Cross-references

2

Topics

Blood Strangled