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Selected Verse: Acts 15:22 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ac 15:22 |
King James |
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Judas surnamed Barsabas--therefore not the apostle "Judas the brother of James" (Act 1:13), surnamed "Thaddeus" (Mat 10:3); nor can it be shown that he was a brother of "Joseph called Barsabas" (Act 1:23). But nothing is known of him beyond what is here said.
and Silas--the same as "Silvanus" in the Epistles. He became Paul's companion on his second missionary journey (Act 15:40).
chief men among the brethren--selected purposely as such, to express the honor in which they held the church at Antioch, and the deputies they had sent to the council, and, as the matter affected all Gentile converts, to give weight to the written decision of this important assembly. They were "prophets," Act 15:32 (and see on Act 11:27), and as such doubtless their eminence in the church at Jerusalem had been obtained. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Then pleased it - It seemed fit and proper to them.
The apostles and elders - To whom the business had been particularly referred, Act 15:2. Compare Act 16:4.
With the whole church - All the Christians who were there assembled together. They concurred in the sentiment, and expressed their approbation in the letter that was sent, Act 15:23. Whether they were consulted does not particularly appear. But as it is not probable that they would volunteer an opinion unless they were consulted, it seems most reasonable to suppose that the apostles and elders submitted the case to them for their approbation. It would seem that the apostles and elders deliberated on it, and decided it; but still, for the sake of peace and unity, they also took measures to ascertain that their decision agreed with the sentiment of the church.
Chosen men - Men chosen for this purpose.
Of their own company - From among themselves. Greater weight and authority would thus be attached to their message.
Judas surnamed Barsabas - Possibly the same who was nominated to the vacant place in the apostleship, Act 1:23. But Grotius supposes that it was his brother.
And Silas - He was afterward the traveling companion of Paul, Act 15:40; Act 16:25, Act 16:29; Act 17:4, Act 17:10, Act 17:15. He is also the same person, probably, who is mentioned by the name of Silvanus, Co2 1:19; Th1 1:1; Th2 1:1; Pe1 5:12.
Chief men among the brethren - Greek: leaders. Compare Luk 22:26. Men of influence, experience, and authority in the church. Judas and Silas are said to have been prophets, Act 15:32. They had, therefore, been engaged as preachers and rulers in the church at Jerusalem. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| With the whole Church - Which therefore had a part therein; to send chosen men - Who might put it beyond all dispute, that this was the judgment of the apostles and all the brethren. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole Church - James determined what ought to be done; and the whole assembly resolved how that should be done.
Chosen men of their own company - Paul and Barnabas were to return: they could have witnessed to the Church at Antioch what was done at the council at Jerusalem; but as it was possible that their testimony might be suspected, from the part they had already taken in this question at Antioch, it was necessary that a deputation from the council should accompany them. Accordingly Judas and Silas are sent to corroborate by their oral testimony what was contained in the letters sent from the council. |
27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.