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Acts 15

And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

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.

And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

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.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

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:

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:

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

What does Acts 15:26 mean?

Explanation

The verse Acts 15:26 captures a moment of high commendation for two individuals, specifically mentioned as "men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." In this context, the term "hazarded" implies that these men put their lives at great risk or in peril.

The language suggests a voluntary act of bravery and commitment to the cause of spreading the word and teachings of Jesus Christ.

The deeper meaning beckons the theme of sacrifice and the willingness to face danger for one's beliefs and the greater good of the Christian community.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

This verse is situated within the "Council at Jerusalem," which is a crucial turning point in the early Christian Church described in Acts 15.

Here, the apostles and elders met to discuss the topic of Gentile converts and whether they should be required to obey the old Jewish laws, particularly circumcision.

The men referred to in the verse are Paul and Barnabas, key figures in early Christian mission work, especially among the Gentiles.

Acts 15:26 highlights the sacrifices they made as part of their mission efforts.

Theological Insights

The verse Acts 15:26 may be interpreted through various theological lenses:

Sacrifice and Discipleship: It highlights the concept of sacrificing personal safety in service to the teachings of Jesus, which reflects the Christian call to discipleship.
Witness and Testimony: By highlighting the dangers faced by Paul and Barnabas, the verse underlines the importance of witness and testimony to faith.
Unity of Believers: It implicitly calls for recognition of their efforts by the larger community, thus promoting unity among believers.

Practical Applications

In the context of daily life, Acts 15:26 may inspire believers to:

Be courageous in their faith, even in the face of adversity or danger.
Appreciate and support those who work on behalf of the community or for a cause greater than themselves.
Reflect on their own commitment to their faith and its principles.

Cross-References

Philippians 2:30: "Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me."
Romans 16:4: "Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, "hazarded" translates to "παραδεδώκασιν", which is derived from the word "παραδίδωμι" (paradidōmi), meaning "to give over," "to give up," or "to expose to danger." This denotes a voluntary and intentional action of surrendering their lives for the sake of the Gospel.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Within other ancient cultures and religions, the concept of risking one's life for a deity or a religious cause is not uncommon.

For instance, in some ancient mythologies, heroes would undertake perilous quests in the name of their gods, showcasing their devotion and courage.

Likewise, martyrdom in Christianity resembles such themes of ultimate dedication and sacrifice for a greater purpose.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse Acts 15:26 does not directly intersect with scientific understandings, modern psychology may provide insights on the motivations and impacts of such extreme commitments.

For instance, the concept of altruism and the psychological effects of risking one's life for a cause align with studies on human behavior and belief systems.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentators have offered insights on Acts 15:26:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary emphasizes the commendation of these men for their willingness to suffer for Christ.
The Pulpit Commentary notes that Paul and Barnabas are singled out for their work and the perils they faced, showcasing the esteem in which they were held by the church.
John Gill's Exposition of the Bible remarks on the greatness of the cause for which they hazarded their lives, underscoring the importance of spreading the Gospel above personal safety.

Acts 15

Acts 15

What does Acts 15:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 15:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?