Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 15:26
Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
26. Men that have hazarded their lives ] What the English sentence leaves uncertain the Greek makes quite plain, viz. that these words refer to Barnabas and Paul and to the many dangers into which their first missionary journey had brought them (cp. Act 13:50, Act 14:2; Act 14:5; Act 14:19).
for the name ] Here, as often, name signifies the Messianic dignity and divine authority of Jesus. They have preached everywhere Jesus as the Christ.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Men that have hazarded their lives … – See Acts 14: This was a noble testimony to the character of Barnabas and Paul. It was a commendation of them to the confidence of the churches, and an implied expression that they wished their authority to be regarded in the establishment and organization of the church.
For the name – In the cause of the Lord Jesus.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 26. Men that have hazarded their lives] This was a high character of Paul and Barnabas: they had already suffered much in the cause of Christ, and exposed their lives to the most imminent danger, and were intent on the same work, notwithstanding the increasing dangers in the way.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Because that the false apostles at Antioch had vilified Paul and Barnabas, and opposed their doctrine and practice in admitting of the Gentiles by baptism into the church, the council here at Jerusalem take occasion to vindicate and to commend them, especially for their suffering so much for Christ, of which we read, Act 13:50; 14:19; it being most reasonable to believe, that they had not done or said any thing for their own sakes, who had done and suffered so much for Christ and his truths sake.
For the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; for Christs honour, and the truth of his gospel.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
26. Men that havehazardedliterally, “rendered up,” as in willthey did.
their lives for the name ofour Lord Jesus ChristNoble testimony to those beloved men! Itwas doubtless prompted more immediately by the narrative they hadjust listened to from their own lips (Ac15:12), and judiciously inserted in this letter, to give them thehighest weight as the bearers of it, along with their own deputies.
Judas and Silas . . . shalltell you the same . . . by mouthMark here how considerate andtender it was to send men who would be able to say of Barnabas andPaul what could not be expected to come from themselves.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Men that have hazarded their lives,…. As at Antioch, in Pisidia, where a persecution was raised against them, and they were expelled out of the coasts of that place; and at Lystra, where Paul was stoned, and left for dead, Ac 13:50 and this they did, not for any sinister and selfish ends, for any worldly gain, or vain glory, and popular applause, but
for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; for the sake of his Gospel, and the enlargement of his interest, and kingdom in the world; and therefore were worthy of esteem, and ought to be regarded and attended to, and greatly to be preferred to false teachers; who only sought themselves, their worldly honour, and ease, and would sacrifice nothing, nor hazard anything, for the sake of Christ.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Have hazarded their lives ( ). Perfect active participle dative plural of , old word, to hand over to another, and with , to hand over to another their lives. The sufferings of Paul and Barnabas in Pisidia and Lycaonia were plainly well-known just as the story of Judson in Burmah is today. On the use of “name” here see on 3:6.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “Men that have hazarded their lives,” (anthropois paradedokosi tas psukas auton) “Even men who have given up their lives, of their own accord or will,” Act 9:24; Act 13:50; Act 14:5; Act 14:19-20; 1Co 11:23; 1Co 11:26. These, having jeopardized or hazarded their lives for Jesus Christ, should be the more dear to true churches of the Lord. Suffering in sincerity for the cause of Jesus Christ merits respect and does not go without rewards from the Lord, Rom 8:17-18; 2Ti 2:11-12.
2) “For the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (huper tou onomatos tou kuriou hemon lesou Christou) “On behalf of the name or authority of our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1Co 10:31; Col 3:17. All that men do is to be done “in the name” (by the authority) of Jesus Christ, in word and in deed, Act 4:12; 2Ti 3:12; Eph 5:20.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(26) Men that have hazarded their lives.It is clear from this that the narrative of the hairbreadth escapes at the Pisidian Antioch (Act. 13:50) and Lystra (Act. 14:19) must have been laid before the Church. Prominence is given to the fact as likely to secure reverence for those whom many had hitherto regarded with distrust.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
26. Hazarded their lives A courteous reference to the narratives given by the two apostles of their missionary journeys.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Act 15:26. Men that have hazarded their lives Such a testimony to the reputation of Paul and Barnabas, was far from being a mere compliment, but exceedingly prudent, as it might be the means of removing the prejudices conceived against them by the Jewish converts or teachers; several of whom, as it appears from many passages of the epistles, endeavoured as much as possible to lessen the character of these apostles. It would also be an useful expression of the harmony between them and those of the circumcision.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ver. 26. Men that hazarded their lives, &c. ] One ancient copy adds , to all sorts of trials and tribulations. Love, as it is a passion, so it is tried rather by passions than actions.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
26. . . . ] See reff. The sacrifice of their lives was made by them : they were martyrs in will , though their lives had not as yet been laid down in point of fact.
This is mentioned to shew that Paul and Barnabas could have no other motive than that of serving the Lord Jesus Christ, and to awaken trust in the minds of the churches. But, although this was so, the Apostles and Elders did not think proper to send only Paul and Barnabas, who were already so deeply committed by their acts to the same side of the question as the letter which they bore, but as direct authorities from themselves, Judas and Silas also, who might by word confirm the contents of the Epistle. On the present part. ( .) see reff. and Winer, edn. 6, 45. 1. One account of it is, that during the mission implied in they would be . But a far more probable one, that the pres. part. here, as so often, designates merely, carrying rather a logical than a chronological force: “as announcers of.”
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 15:26 . . .: “hazarded their lives,” A. and R.V.; so in classical Greek, and in LXX, Dan 3:28 (95). The sufferings of the missionaries aries in their first journey were evidently well known, and appeal was fittingly made to them in recognition of their self-sacrifice, and in proof of their sincerity.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
that have hazarded. Literally having given up. Greek. paradidomi. Often translated “deliver up”, or “betray”. In Act 15:40 with Act 14:26 “recommend”.
lives. Greek. psuche. App-110.
for = in behalf of. Greek. huper. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
26. . . .] See reff. The sacrifice of their lives was made by them: they were martyrs in will, though their lives had not as yet been laid down in point of fact.
This is mentioned to shew that Paul and Barnabas could have no other motive than that of serving the Lord Jesus Christ, and to awaken trust in the minds of the churches. But, although this was so, the Apostles and Elders did not think proper to send only Paul and Barnabas, who were already so deeply committed by their acts to the same side of the question as the letter which they bore,-but as direct authorities from themselves, Judas and Silas also, who might by word confirm the contents of the Epistle. On the present part. (.) see reff. and Winer, edn. 6, 45. 1. One account of it is, that during the mission implied in they would be . But a far more probable one, that the pres. part. here, as so often, designates merely, carrying rather a logical than a chronological force: as announcers of.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 15:26. , who have delivered up [hazarded]) and who are therefore most highly approved of men [altogether tried men].
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
hazarded: Act 13:50, Act 14:19, Jdg 5:18, 1Co 15:30, 2Co 11:23-27, Phi 2:29, Phi 2:30
Reciprocal: Act 9:27 – Barnabas Act 16:19 – they Gal 2:7 – when
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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Act 15:26. Hazarded their lives means they had risked their lives for the sake of the Gospel. One notable case was that of Paul at Lystra, chapter 14:19.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 15:26. Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is well said by Wordsworth, that the first Christians were not wont to praise each other in public, but that on the present occasion such a witness, especially to St. Paul, was seasonable and appropriate. It was a reply to the charges of the judges against him; it was a public declaration on the part of the other apostles at Jerusalem, that St. Pauls claims to Divine revelations and to an apostolic mission were true, and that there was no difference of opinion or disparity in dignity between him and the Twelve who had seen the Lord on earth. These noble men were martyrs in will though their lives had not yet been laid down; they were well carrying out the command, which has been well and tersely expressed, Die at the post of duty, but gain souls for the Lamb.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 22