Wherefore
The scope of the decision goes far beyond the mere question of circumcision. The whole question of the relation of the law to Gentile believers had been put in issue ( Acts 15:5 ), and their exemption is declared in the decision ( Acts 15:19 ; Acts 15:24 ). The decision might be otherwise stated in the terms of Romans 6:14 . "Ye are not under the law, but under grace." Gentile believers were to show grace by abstaining from the practices offensive to godly Jews.
Acts 15:20 ; Acts 15:21 ; Acts 15:28 ; Acts 15:29 cf; Romans 14:12-17 ; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Verse Meaning
Troubling the Gentiles meant imposing the requirements of Jewish proselytes on them, namely, circumcision and observance of the Mosaic Law. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Acts 15:12-21 - A Generous Conclusion
When their turn came to speak, Paul and Barnabas contented themselves with emphasizing the signs and wonders by which God had set His seal on their words and methods. Would He have done so if they had followed a wrong course? Notice the two prepositions that they used in describing their work. They first told of what God had done in co-operation with them and then of what He had done through or by them, Acts 14:27; Acts 15:4; Acts 15:12. Consider also that remarkable phrase about God bearing witness, Acts 15:8. See also Acts 14:3 and Hebrews 2:1-4.
James had a prominent position in the Jerusalem church, because he was the Lord's brother and a man of remarkable holiness and prayerfulness. He laid emphasis on the divine program, which moved forward from Jew to Gentile, from the rebuilding of the ruined Tabernacle of David to the seeking of the Lord by the residue of men. The implication was that though Jehovah dwelt in a special manner with His Chosen People, yet the Gentiles would come seeking Him directly and without becoming incorporated with the Jews. [source]
Chapter Summary: Acts 15
1Great dissensions arise regarding circumcision 5The apostles consult about it, 22and send their determination by letters to the churches 36Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brothers together, 39disagree, and travel different ways
Greek Commentary for Acts 15:19
Wherefore [διο] “Because of which,” this plain purpose of God as shown by Amos and Isaiah. [source]
My judgment is [εγω κρινω] Note expression of εγω egō I give my judgment. (Εγο χενσεο Ego censeo). James sums up the case as President of the Conference in a masterly fashion and with that consummate wisdom for which he is noted. It amounts to a resolution for the adoption by the assembly as happened (Acts 15:33). That we trouble not Present active infinitive with μη mē in an indirect command (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1046) of παρενοχλεω parenochleō a common late verb, occurring here alone in the N.T. This double compound (παρα εν paraενοχλεω en) is from the old compound εν enochleō (οχλος en and παρα ochlos crowd, annoyance) seen in Luke 6:18; Hebrews 12:15, and means to cause trouble beside (para) one or in a matter. This is the general point of James which he explains further concerning “those who are turning from the Gentiles unto God,” the very kind of people referred to in Amos. [source]
I give my judgment [] . James sums up the case as President of the Conference in a masterly fashion and with that consummate wisdom for which he is noted. It amounts to a resolution for the adoption by the assembly as happened (Acts 15:33). [source]
That we trouble not [μη παρενοχλειν] Present active infinitive with μη mē in an indirect command (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1046) of παρενοχλεω parenochleō a common late verb, occurring here alone in the N.T. This double compound (παρα εν paraενοχλεω en) is from the old compound εν enochleō (οχλος en and παρα ochlos crowd, annoyance) seen in Luke 6:18; Hebrews 12:15, and means to cause trouble beside (para) one or in a matter. This is the general point of James which he explains further concerning “those who are turning from the Gentiles unto God,” the very kind of people referred to in Amos. [source]
Trouble [παρενοχλεῖν] Only here in New Testament. See on vexed, Luke 6:18. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 15:19
Acts 11:21Turned unto the Lord [επεστρεπσεν επι τον κυριον] First aorist active indicative of επιστρεπω epistrephō common verb to turn. The usual expression for Gentiles turning to the true God (Acts 14:15; Acts 15:3,Acts 15:19; Acts 26:18,Acts 26:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Here “Lord” refers to “the Lord Jesus” as in Acts 11:20, though “the hand of the Lord” is the hand of Jehovah, clearly showing that the early disciples put Jesus on a par with Jehovah. His deity was not a late development read back into the early history. [source]
Acts 7:60Kneeled down [τεις τα γονατα] Second aorist active participle of τιτημι tithēmi placing the knees (on the ground). This idiom is not in the old Greek for kneeling, but Luke has it five times (Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; Acts 9:40; Acts 20:36; Acts 21:5) and Mark once (Acts 15:19). Jesus was standing at the right hand of God and Stephen knelt before him in worship and called on him in prayer. [source]
Greek Commentary for Acts 15:19
“Because of which,” this plain purpose of God as shown by Amos and Isaiah. [source]
Note expression of εγω egō I give my judgment. (Εγο χενσεο Ego censeo). James sums up the case as President of the Conference in a masterly fashion and with that consummate wisdom for which he is noted. It amounts to a resolution for the adoption by the assembly as happened (Acts 15:33). That we trouble not Present active infinitive with μη mē in an indirect command (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1046) of παρενοχλεω parenochleō a common late verb, occurring here alone in the N.T. This double compound (παρα εν paraενοχλεω en) is from the old compound εν enochleō (οχλος en and παρα ochlos crowd, annoyance) seen in Luke 6:18; Hebrews 12:15, and means to cause trouble beside (para) one or in a matter. This is the general point of James which he explains further concerning “those who are turning from the Gentiles unto God,” the very kind of people referred to in Amos. [source]
. James sums up the case as President of the Conference in a masterly fashion and with that consummate wisdom for which he is noted. It amounts to a resolution for the adoption by the assembly as happened (Acts 15:33). [source]
Present active infinitive with μη mē in an indirect command (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1046) of παρενοχλεω parenochleō a common late verb, occurring here alone in the N.T. This double compound (παρα εν paraενοχλεω en) is from the old compound εν enochleō (οχλος en and παρα ochlos crowd, annoyance) seen in Luke 6:18; Hebrews 12:15, and means to cause trouble beside (para) one or in a matter. This is the general point of James which he explains further concerning “those who are turning from the Gentiles unto God,” the very kind of people referred to in Amos. [source]
Only here in New Testament. See on vexed, Luke 6:18. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 15:19
First aorist active indicative of επιστρεπω epistrephō common verb to turn. The usual expression for Gentiles turning to the true God (Acts 14:15; Acts 15:3, Acts 15:19; Acts 26:18, Acts 26:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Here “Lord” refers to “the Lord Jesus” as in Acts 11:20, though “the hand of the Lord” is the hand of Jehovah, clearly showing that the early disciples put Jesus on a par with Jehovah. His deity was not a late development read back into the early history. [source]
Second aorist active participle of τιτημι tithēmi placing the knees (on the ground). This idiom is not in the old Greek for kneeling, but Luke has it five times (Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; Acts 9:40; Acts 20:36; Acts 21:5) and Mark once (Acts 15:19). Jesus was standing at the right hand of God and Stephen knelt before him in worship and called on him in prayer. [source]