Acts 15:19 kjv
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
Acts 15:19 nkjv
Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,
Acts 15:19 niv
"It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
Acts 15:19 esv
Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
Acts 15:19 nlt
"And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
Acts 15 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 49:6 | "I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." | Gentiles included in salvation. |
| Zech 8:20-23 | "Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Peoples shall yet come... many nations and strong peoples shall come to seek the Lord...'" | Future gathering of Gentiles to God. |
| Acts 10:44-48 | While Peter was still speaking..., the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word... then Peter answered, "Can anyone forbid water...?" | Spirit's descent on Gentiles (Cornelius). |
| Acts 11:15-18 | "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us... God has granted even to the Gentiles repentance that leads to life." | Gentiles' spiritual reception of Holy Spirit. |
| Gal 2:7 | "On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised..." | Apostles recognized mission to Gentiles. |
| Gal 3:2 | "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?" | Salvation/Spirit by faith, not law. |
| Eph 2:8-9 | "For by grace you have been saved through faith... not a result of works, so that no one may boast." | Salvation is by grace through faith. |
| Rom 3:28 | "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." | Justification by faith. |
| Rom 10:12 | "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him." | No distinction between Jew and Gentile. |
| Matt 11:28-30 | "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." | Jesus' burden is light, not burdensome laws. |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" | God's primary requirements (ethical, not ceremonial). |
| Mark 7:18-19 | "Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him... thus he declared all foods clean." | Jesus' teaching on inner vs. outer defilement. |
| 1 Tim 1:8-10 | "Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless..." | Law is for the unrighteous, not for believers. |
| Rom 14:1-3 | "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions... one believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables." | Do not judge others on disputed matters. |
| 1 Cor 8:9 | "But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak." | Avoid causing stumbling. |
| Acts 15:20 | "but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood." | Practical guidelines for fellowship. |
| Acts 15:28 | "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these essential requirements..." | Holy Spirit's guidance on the decision. |
| Deut 23:2 | "No one born of a forbidden union may enter the assembly of the Lord; even to the tenth generation, none of his descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord." | Old Testament assembly requirements contrasted. |
| Joel 2:28-32 | "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh..." | Prophecy of Spirit for all people. |
| Isa 19:24-25 | "In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, 'Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.'" | God's blessing extends to Gentile nations. |
Acts 15 verses
Acts 15 19 Meaning
Acts 15:19 conveys the summary judgment delivered by James at the Jerusalem Council. It states that Gentile believers who have turned to God should not be burdened with the requirements of the Mosaic Law, specifically circumcision, as a prerequisite for salvation or fellowship within the Christian community. This decision aimed to uphold salvation by grace through faith and facilitate unity between Jewish and Gentile converts by removing unnecessary legalistic demands.
Acts 15 19 Context
Acts chapter 15 records the pivotal Jerusalem Council, convened to address a significant theological and practical dispute: whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law to be saved. Jewish believers from Judea, likely Pharisees who had accepted Christ (Acts 15:5), insisted that circumcision was necessary. This controversy threatened to divide the early church and undermine the Gospel's inclusive nature. Paul and Barnabas had encountered this issue in Antioch and reported it to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. Peter recounted God's calling of Gentiles (Cornelius), confirming God's acceptance of them through faith and the Holy Spirit without the Law. Barnabas and Paul shared accounts of God working powerfully among the Gentiles. James, as a leader of the Jerusalem church, then presented his definitive judgment, supporting salvation by grace and offering a practical framework for fellowship, which begins in verse 19.
Acts 15 19 Word analysis
- Therefore (διό – dio): A conjunction signifying "for this reason" or "because of which." It connects James's judgment directly to the preceding testimonies of Peter, Barnabas, and Paul, especially Peter's account of the Holy Spirit's work among the Gentiles, and the prophetic fulfillment discussed by James (Amos 9:11-12). This word indicates a conclusion drawn from established evidence and divine revelation.
- I judge (κρίνω – krinō): The Greek verb krinō means "to decide, determine, or give judgment." In this context, it reflects James's authoritative role as a leader of the Jerusalem church and his wisdom in summarizing the Spirit's will for the assembly. It is a pronouncement that carries weight and serves as the official conclusion of the council, though given with humility and alignment with God's purpose. It reflects a Spirit-led discernment.
- that we should not trouble (μὴ παρενοχλεῖν – mē parenochlein): Mē is a particle indicating negation, making it "not." Parenochlein means "to bother, annoy, harass, or inflict trouble upon." This emphasizes the desire to avoid placing unnecessary, burdensome, or irritating requirements on Gentile converts. The verb implies making something burdensome and vexing. This demonstrates a pastoral concern for new believers and the growth of the church.
- those who are turning to God (τοῖς ἐπιστρέφουσιν ἐπὶ τὸν Θεόν – tois epistrephousin epi ton Theon):
- Epistrephousin is the present active participle of epistrephō, meaning "to turn, return, or convert." It describes those currently in the process of turning or having turned. This term powerfully denotes genuine spiritual conversion, a repentance from idolatry and a redirection of life towards the One True God. It highlights the divine work of salvation in their lives.
- Epi ton Theon means "to God." The phrase emphasizes the direct and sincere conversion experience of the Gentiles, acknowledging that they are indeed worshippers of the God of Israel, despite their non-Jewish background.
- from among the Gentiles (ἀπὸ τῶν ἐθνῶν – apo tōn ethnōn):
- Apo means "from."
- Ethnōn (plural of ethnos) means "nations, peoples, or Gentiles." It clearly defines the specific group in question: non-Jews. This highlights the radical inclusivity of the Gospel, which extends salvation beyond the chosen nation of Israel to all peoples who respond in faith. The "from among" phrasing implies that they are being called out of their pagan cultures into a new covenant community.
Acts 15 19 Bonus section
James's argument is particularly insightful because he leverages not just experience (Peter's, Paul's, Barnabas's testimonies) but also the Old Testament prophets to justify Gentile inclusion. His reference to Amos 9:11-12 (immediately preceding Acts 15:19) interprets the rebuilding of "David's fallen tent" not as merely restoring the Jewish kingdom, but as God's act to gather "the rest of mankind," specifically "all the Gentiles who bear my name." This prophetic fulfillment demonstrated that Gentile conversion was always part of God's redemptive plan, a key argument against those who sought to restrict salvation solely within Jewish law. The "trouble" that James speaks against implies not only physical burden but also spiritual distress, distraction from the simplicity of Christ, and erecting unnecessary barriers to faith. This judgment was a turning point, ensuring that Christianity would become a global, not merely a Jewish, religion.
Acts 15 19 Commentary
Acts 15:19 is a landmark statement in early church history, representing the Spirit-led resolution of the most pressing theological crisis regarding Gentile inclusion. James's declaration, supported by biblical prophecy (Amos 9:11-12, mentioned in previous verse), apostolic testimony, and the undeniable evidence of the Holy Spirit's work among Gentiles, affirmed that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, irrespective of adherence to the Mosaic Law. The phrase "not trouble" underscores a compassionate and pastoral approach, emphasizing that placing burdensome requirements like circumcision would impede the spread of the Gospel and hinder new believers. The focus on "those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles" recognizes their authentic conversion and new spiritual identity. This verse is foundational for understanding the universal scope of the Gospel, establishing a theological precedent against legalism, and fostering unity within the nascent Christian community by distinguishing salvation from cultural or ritualistic adherence to the Mosaic Law. It promotes a balance between grace and practical considerations for mutual fellowship within a diverse body of believers, later outlined in the decrees of Acts 15:20, aimed at preserving harmony.