Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 15:25
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
25. being assembled with one accord ] The words may be so rendered and passage be compared with Act 2:1; Act 4:24; Act 5:12. But in those passages there is only the substantive verb , while here has its proper sense of “becoming.” It seems therefore better and more accordant with the sense of the passage to translate ‘having become of one accord’ or ‘having come to one accord.’
to send chosen men unto you ] The participle here is not passive and so should not be referred to Judas and Silas, but to those who sent them. Render literally “that having chosen out men we should send them, &c.” i.e. “to choose out men and send them.” So R. V.
with our beloved
Barnabas and Paul ] The name of Barnabas is put first here perhaps because he had been formerly (Act 11:22) sent as a special messenger from the church in Jerusalem to Antioch.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
With one accord; with one mind, as if they had all but one soul, (they had but one Spirit, the Spirit of truth), as Act 2:1; Act 5:12; their unanimity adding great strength to the decree they sent.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
25. our beloved Barnabas andPaulBarnabas is put first here, and in Ac15:12, on account of his former superior position in the churchat Jerusalem (see Act 9:27;Act 11:22) an evidence thisthat we have the document precisely as written, as also of thecredibility of this precious history.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord,…. Or together; in one place, as the Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions render it; see Ac 2:1 though certain it is, that as they were in one place, so they were in one mind; and their unanimity was proper to be mentioned, in order to engage a regard to their advice:
to send men chosen unto you; men chosen for this purpose; namely, Judas and Silas:
with our beloved Barnabas and Paul; who are commended thus, partly to express their affection to them; and partly to observe the wisdom of the church at Antioch, in sending two such agreeable persons; and chiefly to testify their approbation of the doctrine and conduct of these two men.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
It seemed good unto us ( ). See statement by Luke in verse 22, and now this definite decision is in the epistle itself. It is repeated in verse 28.
Having come to one accord ( ). On this adverb, common in Acts, see on 1:14. But clearly means that the final unity was the result of the Conference (private and public talks). The Judaizers are here brushed to one side as the defeated disturbers that they really were who had lacked the courage to vote against the majority.
To choose out men and send them ( A B L, though Aleph C D read as in verse 22). Precisely the same idiom as in verse 22, “having chosen out to send.”
With our beloved Barnabas and Paul ( ). The verbal adjective (common in the N.T.) definitely sets the seal of warm approval on Barnabas and Paul. Paul (Ga 2:9) confirms this by his statement concerning the right hand of fellowship given.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Barnabas and Paul. Here, as in ver. 12, Barnabas is named first, contrary to the practice of Luke since Act 13:9. Barnabas was the elder and better known, and in the church at Jerusalem his name would naturally precede Paul ‘s. The use of the Greek salutation, and this order of the names, are two undesigned coincidences going to attest the genuineness of this first document preserved to us from the Acts of the primitive church.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “It seemed good unto us,” (edoksen hemin) “It seemed good or proper to us,” the right thing for us to do.
2) “Being assembled with one accord,” (genomenois homothumadon) “Becoming of one mind or accord,” coming to be in harmony regarding the false brethren who had gone out from them at Jerusalem to disturb and mislead certain brethren in the Antioch church. This one accord spirit of harmony was an Holy Spirit fruit of the doctrinal council, accompanied by Divine sanction.
3) “To send chosen men unto you,” (ekleksamenous andras pempsai pros humas) “To send chosen or elected responsible men as messengers to you all,” to bear a written and verbal message from the Jerusalem church and inter-church council, such as was later done regarding benevolent and missionary matters in far away Europe, 2Co 8:4; 2Co 8:6; 2Co 8:16-19; 2Co 8:22-24.
4) “With our beloved Barnabas and Paul,” (sun tois agapetois hemon Barnaba kai Paulo) “In colleague, harmony, or close association with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,” both of whom the Jerusalem church “Commissioned” or sent out, before the Antioch church in Syria also co-endorsed and sent them into regions beyond. Paul was first “sent forth,” Act 9:26-30, and Barnabas second, Act 11:22-25, by the Jerusalem church.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
−
25. With our beloved Barnabas and Paul They set these praises against the slanders wherewith the false apostles had essayed to bring Paul and Barnabas out of credit. − (145) And, first, to the end they may remove the opinion of disagreement which had possessed the minds of many, they testify their consent; secondly, they commend Paul and Barnabas for their ferventness in zeal and most manlike courage, that they were not afraid to venture or lay down their souls for Christ’s sake. And this is an excellent virtue in a minister of the gospel, and which deserveth no small praise, if he shall not only be stout and courageous to execute the office of teaching, but also be ready to enter danger which is offered in defense of his doctrine. As the Lord doth thus try the faith and constancy of those which be his, so he doth, as it were, make them noble with the ensigns of virtue, that they may excel in his Church. Therefore, Paul holdeth forth the marks of Christ which he did bear in his body, ( Gal 6:17) as a buckler to drive back those knaves which did trouble his doctrine. And though it do not so fall out with most stout and courageous teachers and preachers of the gospel, that they strive for the gospel until they come in danger of life, because the matter doth not so require, yet is this no let but that Christ may purchase authority for his martyrs, so often as he bringeth them into worthy and renowned conflicts. −
Nevertheless, let even those who are not enforced to enter combat by any necessity be ready to shed their blood, if God see it good at any time that it should be so. But the apostles commend the fortitude of Paul and Barnabas only in a good cause; because, if it were sufficient to enter dangers manfully, the martyrs of Christ should nothing differ from troublesome and frenzied men, from cutters and roysters. − (146) Therefore, Paul and Barnabas are commended, not because they laid open themselves simply to dangers, but because they refuse not to die for Christ’s sake. Peradventure, also, the apostles meant to nip − (147) those knaves by the way, who, having never suffered any thing for Christ’s sake, came out of their roust and dainties − (148) to trouble the churches, which cost the courageous soldiers of Christ dearly. −
(145) −
“
Paulo et Barnabas aspergeri,” to asperse Paul and Barnabas.
(146) −
“−
Nihil a tumultuosis et phreneticis, nihil a gladiatoribus differrent ,” should differ in no respect from tumultuous and frenzied men, or from gladiators.
(147) −
“
Oblique perstringere,” indirectly to lash.
(148) −
“
Ex sua umbra et deliciis prodierant,” had come forth from their luxurious retirement.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(25) Being assembled with one accord.Literally, being of one mind, unanimously.
To send chosen men unto you.Literally, to choose men and send them unto you. The men, are, of course, Barsabas and Silas.
With our beloved Barnabas and Paul.The order in which the names stand is, perhaps, characteristic of the Church of Jerusalem, to whom Barnabas was still the more conspicuous teacher of the two. The way in which the two are named may be taken as illustrating St. Pauls statement that the pillars of the Church of Jerusalem gave to him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship (Gal. 2:9).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Act 15:25-28 . ] after we had become unanimous . Thus it was not a mere majority of voices: “non parum ponderis addit decreto concors sententia,” Grotius. On , with an adverb in the sense of a predicate, see Bernhardy, p. 337. Comp. on Joh 1:15 .
. . ] This order (after chap. 13, almost always inverted) is justly regarded by Bleek as a proof of fidelity to the documentary source. The placing of Barnabas first was very natural to the apostles and to the church in Jerusalem, on the ground of the older apostolic position of the man who in fact first introduced Paul himself to the apostles. Also at Act 14:14 , Act 15:12 , this precedence has its ground in the nature of the circumstances.
. . .] men who have given up (exposed to the danger of death) their soul for the name (for its glorification, Act 5:41 ) of our Lord Jesus Christ . . (comp. Plat. Prot . p. 312 C), the opposite of . , Luk 9:24 , is not to be identified with . ., and the two are not to be explained from the Hebrew (in opposition to Grotius, Kuinoel, Olshausen). See on Joh 10:11 . The purpose of these words of commendation is the attestation of the complete confidence of the assembly in the Christian fidelity, proved by such love to Christ, of the two men who had been sent from Antioch, and who perhaps had been slandered by the Judaistic party as egotistic falsifiers of the gospel. [42] Comp. Grotius.
. . .] who also themselves, i.e . in person , along with this our written communication, make known the same thing orally ( , see Raphel, Polyb .).
.] stands not for the future (against Grotius, Hammond, Heinrichs, Kuinoel), but realizes as present the time when Judas and Silas deliver the letter and add their oral report.
] namely, what we here inform you of by letter. Neander takes it otherwise: the same, that Barnabas and Paul have preached to you , namely, that faith in the Redeemer, even “without the observance of the law, suffices,” etc. Against this view is decisive, by which necessarily retains its reference to what was communicated by letter.
] The agreement of the personal activity of the advisers themselves with the illuminating and confirming influence of the Holy Spirit experienced by them when advising. [43] Comp. Act 5:32 . Well does Calovius remark: “Conjungitur causa principalis et ministerialis decreti.” Olshausen supposes that it is equivalent to . . . Just as arbitrarily and erroneously, Grotius, Piscator, and many others hold that there is here a , nobis per Sp. St. Neander: through the Holy Spirit we also (like Paul and Barnabas) have arrived at the perception. To this is opposed , which, in accordance with Act 15:22 , must necessarily denote the determination of the council, and therefore forbids the reference of the to Paul and Barnabas, which reference, at any rate (see before on ), is remote from the context.
] includes, according to Act 15:22-23 , also the church , to which, of course, Bellarmin and other Catholics concede only the consensus tacitus . See, on the contrary, Calovius.
] the things necessary . Bernhardy, p. 328; Kypke, II. p. 75 f. The conjectural emendations, (Salmasius) and (Bentley), are wholly unnecessary. That (Herod. i. 82; Plat. Pol . vii. p. 536 D, Conv . p. 176 E, Dem. 706. 21) is an adverb, see in Schaefer, ad Dem. App. IV. p. 540 f. The necessity here meant is not a necessity for salvation (Zeller), but a necessity conditioned by the circumstances of the time. See on Act 15:20 f.
[42] According to Zeller, p. 246, these commendatory words are calculated by the author for his readers, as indeed the whole book is held to be only a letter of commendation for Paul.
[43] Ewald, p. 476, appropriately remarks: “The mention of the Holy Spirit, ver. 28, is the most primitive Christian thing imaginable.”
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Ver. 25. To send chosen men with our beloved ] Delectos cum dilectis. See Act 15:22 ; Act 15:27 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
25. ] . . may mean either ‘ assembled with one accord ,’ as (perhaps) ch. Act 1:14 ; or ‘ having agreed with one consent ’ as Meyer. I prefer the former meaning. So we have adverbs as predicates after verbs substantive, e.g., , Plato Legg. x. p. 892 c, , Herod., &c See Bernhardy, Syntax, p. 337.
. . . ] Paul has generally been mentioned first since ch. Act 13:43 . (The exception, ch. Act 14:14 , appears to arise from the people calling Barnabas Jupiter, and thus giving him the precedence in Act 15:12 , after which the next mention of them follows the same order.) But here, as at Act 15:12 , we have naturally the old order of precedence in the Jerusalem congregation preserved.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 15:25 . . : “having come to one accord,” “einmutig geworden,” Weiss: ., though frequent in Acts, see Act 1:14 , only here with . For the form of the phrase as indicating mutual deliberation on the part of the Church collectively see “Council,” Dict. of Chr. Ant. , i., 474. . : “to choose out men and send them unto you,” R.V., whether we read accusative or dative see critical note, and cf. Act 15:22 . : very frequent in St. Paul’s Epistles; used three times by St. James in his Epistle, twice by St. Peter in his First Epistle, four times in the Second, cf. Act 3:15 , where the word is used by St. Peter of St. Paul, ten times by St. John: it was therefore a very natural word to occur in the letter, and we may compare it with the right hand of fellowship given by the three Apostles just named to Barnabas and Paul, Gal 2:9 . . .: this order because in Jerusalem Church; see above on Act 15:12 . Meyer, Bleek, Nsgen, Wendt, all note its truthful significance.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
It seemed good. Same word as “it pleased”, Act 15:22.
being assembled = having come to be.
with one accord. Greek. homothumadon. See note on Act 1:14.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
25.] . . may mean either assembled with one accord, as (perhaps) ch. Act 1:14; or having agreed with one consent as Meyer. I prefer the former meaning. So we have adverbs as predicates after verbs substantive, e.g., , Plato Legg. x. p. 892 c, , Herod., &c See Bernhardy, Syntax, p. 337.
. . .] Paul has generally been mentioned first since ch. Act 13:43. (The exception, ch. Act 14:14, appears to arise from the people calling Barnabas Jupiter, and thus giving him the precedence in Act 15:12, after which the next mention of them follows the same order.) But here, as at Act 15:12, we have naturally the old order of precedence in the Jerusalem congregation preserved.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 15:25. , unto us) In Act 15:28 the expression used is a more forcible one, to the Holy Ghost and to us.- , having come to one unanimous decision [being assembled with one accord]) As to the verb with the adverb, see on Joh 1:15 [The adverb assumes the signification of a noun], .-, men) teachers, who are men of weight; not merely one, but two at the least.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
seemed: Act 15:28, Mat 11:26, Luk 1:3
being: Act 15:6, Act 1:14, Act 2:1, Act 2:46, 1Co 1:10
to send: Act 15:22, Act 15:27
our: Rom 16:12, Eph 6:21, Col 4:7, Col 4:9, Phm 1:16, 2Pe 3:15
Barnabas: Act 15:2, Act 15:35, Gal 2:9
Reciprocal: Gen 9:4 – the life Act 9:27 – Barnabas 2Co 8:19 – but Gal 2:1 – Barnabas Gal 2:7 – when
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5
Act 15:25. The chosen men were Judas and Silas (verse 22).
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 15:25. To send chosen men unto you. The Greek words should be translated here as in Act 15:22. In some of the older authorities here, the irregularity in the cases of the participles above noticed does not appear.
Our beloved Barnabas and Paul. Commentators remark here on the unusual order of the names of the two apostles, Barnabas standing first. It is an indirect testimony to the scrupulous accuracy of the writer of the Acts; Barnabas in this official letter standing before Paul, because Paul had spent but little time in Jerusalem, whilst Barnabas among the Christians there had long been a known and honoured leader.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 22