This letter was a noble document and fitted for its immediate purpose, but it does not apply directly to us, as the circumstances which called it forth have long since passed away. It was explicit in denying that the rite of circumcision was needful for salvation. It bore ample testimony to the character and work of the two great missionaries whose action had been impugned. It denounced the false teachers whose intrusion had broken the peace of the Church, and laid down the principles which had been embodied in James' speech. Notice the conjunction of the Holy Spirit with the persons who issued this letter, Acts 15:28. Here is convincing proof that the Spirit of God is a person; that He presides in the Church; and that He is willing to become our guide and teacher whenever we are perplexed.
The arrival of Judas and Silas, attesting by their presence the importance that the mother church attached to the question at issue, and the reading of the letter, brought great relief to the believers at Antioch, and a blessed season of teaching and preaching ensued.
It is unpleasant to see the contention between the two leaders over John Mark, but God overruled it for good and Paul could later write to Timothy, "Take Mark and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering," 2 Timothy 4:11, r.v. [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 15:31
When they had read it [αναγνοντες] Second aorist active participle of αναγινωσκω anaginōskō Public reading, of course, to the church. [source]
They rejoiced [εχαρησαν] Second aorist (ingressive) passive indicative of χαιρω chairō They burst into exultant joy showing clearly that they did not consider it a weak compromise, but a glorious victory of Gentile liberty. For the consolation (επι τηι παρακλησει epi tēi paraklēsei). The encouragement, the cheer in the letter. See παρεκαλεσαν parekalesan in Acts 15:32. Consolation and exhortation run into one another in this word. [source]
For the consolation [επι τηι παρακλησει] The encouragement, the cheer in the letter. See παρεκαλεσαν parekalesan in Acts 15:32. Consolation and exhortation run into one another in this word. [source]
Acts 15:32Exhorted [] Or comforted. See on Acts 15:31. The latter agrees better with consolation there. [source]
Acts 4:36Barnabas [αρναβας] His name was Joseph (correct text, and not Jesus) and he is mentioned as one illustration of those in Acts 4:34 who selling brought the money. The apostles gave him the nickname Barnabas by which later he was known because of this noble deed. This fact argues that all did not actually sell, but were ready to do so if needed. Possibly Joseph had a larger estate than some others also. The meaning of the nickname is given by Luke as “son of consolation or exhortation” Doubtless his gifts as a preacher lay along this same line. Rackham thinks that the apostles gave him this name when he was recognized as a prophet. In Acts 11:23 the very word παρεκαλει parekalei (exhorted) is used of Barnabas up at Antioch. He is the type of preacher described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:3. Encouragement is the chief idea in παρακλησις paraklēsis though exhortation, comfort, consolation are used to render it (Acts 9:31; Acts 13:15; Acts 15:31). See also Acts 16:9; Acts 20:12. It is not necessary to think that the apostles coined the name Barnabas for Joseph which originally may have come from αρνεβους Barnebous (Deissmann, Bible Studies, pp. 308-10), son of Nebo, or even the Hebrew Bar Nebi (son of a prophet). But, whatever the origin, the popular use is given by Luke. He was even called apostle along with Paul (Acts 14:14) in the broad sense of that word. [source]
What do the individual words in Acts 15:31 mean?
Having read [it]nowthey rejoicedattheencouragement
Greek Commentary for Acts 15:31
Second aorist active participle of αναγινωσκω anaginōskō Public reading, of course, to the church. [source]
Second aorist (ingressive) passive indicative of χαιρω chairō They burst into exultant joy showing clearly that they did not consider it a weak compromise, but a glorious victory of Gentile liberty. For the consolation (επι τηι παρακλησει epi tēi paraklēsei). The encouragement, the cheer in the letter. See παρεκαλεσαν parekalesan in Acts 15:32. Consolation and exhortation run into one another in this word. [source]
The encouragement, the cheer in the letter. See παρεκαλεσαν parekalesan in Acts 15:32. Consolation and exhortation run into one another in this word. [source]
See on Acts 9:31. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 15:31
Or comforted. See on Acts 15:31. The latter agrees better with consolation there. [source]
His name was Joseph (correct text, and not Jesus) and he is mentioned as one illustration of those in Acts 4:34 who selling brought the money. The apostles gave him the nickname Barnabas by which later he was known because of this noble deed. This fact argues that all did not actually sell, but were ready to do so if needed. Possibly Joseph had a larger estate than some others also. The meaning of the nickname is given by Luke as “son of consolation or exhortation” Doubtless his gifts as a preacher lay along this same line. Rackham thinks that the apostles gave him this name when he was recognized as a prophet. In Acts 11:23 the very word παρεκαλει parekalei (exhorted) is used of Barnabas up at Antioch. He is the type of preacher described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:3. Encouragement is the chief idea in παρακλησις paraklēsis though exhortation, comfort, consolation are used to render it (Acts 9:31; Acts 13:15; Acts 15:31). See also Acts 16:9; Acts 20:12. It is not necessary to think that the apostles coined the name Barnabas for Joseph which originally may have come from αρνεβους Barnebous (Deissmann, Bible Studies, pp. 308-10), son of Nebo, or even the Hebrew Bar Nebi (son of a prophet). But, whatever the origin, the popular use is given by Luke. He was even called apostle along with Paul (Acts 14:14) in the broad sense of that word. [source]