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Selected Verse: Acts 15:23 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ac 15:23 |
King James |
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: |
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] |
And they wrote . . . by them--This is the first mention in the New Testament history of writing as an element in its development. And the combination here of written and oral transmission of an important decision reminds us of the first occasion of writing mentioned in the Old Testament, where a similar combination occurs (Exo 17:14). But whereas there it is the deep difference between Israel and the Gentiles which is proclaimed, here it is the obliteration of that difference through faith in the Lord Jesus [BAUMGARTEN].
greeting--The only other place in the New Testament where this word occurs (except in the letter of Lysias, Act 23:26) is Jam 1:1, which seems to show that both letters were drawn up by the same hand [BENGEL].
the Gentiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia--showing that churches then existed in Cilicia as well as Syria, which owed their existence, in all likelihood, to Paul's labors during the interval between his return to Tarsus (Act 9:30) and his departure in company with Barnabas for Antioch (see on Act 11:25). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
And wrote letters - Greek: "Having written." It does not mean that they wrote more than one epistle.
By them - Greek: by their hand."
After this manner - Greek: these things.
Send greeting - A word of salutation, expressing their desire of the happiness (χαίρειν chairein) of the persons addressed. Compare Mat 26:49; Mat 27:29; Luk 1:28; Joh 19:3.
In Antioch - Where the difficulty first arose.
And Syria - Antioch was the capital of Syria, and it is probable that the dispute was not confined to the capital.
And Cilicia - See the notes on Act 6:9. Cilicia was adjacent to Syria. Paul and Barnabas had traveled through it, and it is probable that the same difficulty would exist there which had disturbed the churches in Syria. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Greeting (χαίρειν)
The usual Greek form of salutation. It occurs nowhere else in the salutation of a New Testament epistle save in the Epistle of James (Jam 1:1). See note there. It appears in the letter of Claudius Lysias (Act 23:26). |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Writing thus, and sending it by their hand - The whole conduct of this affair plainly shows that the Church in those days had no conception of St. Peter's primacy, or of his being the chief judge in controversies. For the decree is drawn up, not according to his, but the Apostle James's proposal and direction: and that in the name, not of St. Peter, but of all the apostles and elders, and of the whole Church. Nay, St. Peter's name is not mentioned at all, either in the order for sending to Jerusalem on the question, Act 15:2, or in the address of the messengers concerning it, Act 15:4, or in the letter which was written in answer. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| Send greeting unto the brethren - of the Gentiles - There was no occasion to send such a letter to the brethren which were of the Jews, because that law which had been so long read in their synagogues taught them all those things; and therefore the epistle is sent exclusively to the Gentiles. The word greeting is in the original χαιρειν, to be well, to be safe; a very usual form in Greek epistles, the word ευχομαι being understood, I wish thee to be well. |
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
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.