Acts 15 2

Acts 15:2 kjv

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.

Acts 15:2 nkjv

Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

Acts 15:2 niv

This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

Acts 15:2 esv

And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.

Acts 15:2 nlt

Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question.

Acts 15 verses

Acts 15 2 Meaning

Acts 15:2 details the immediate consequence of the theological conflict introduced in Acts 15:1. When certain Jewish believers arrived in Antioch from Judea, insisting that Gentile converts must be circumcised to be saved, a significant and heated debate erupted between them and Paul and Barnabas. To resolve this critical theological dispute that threatened the unity and nature of the gospel, the church in Antioch decided to send Paul, Barnabas, and a delegation of others to Jerusalem. Their mission was to consult the leading apostles and elders there, seeking a definitive resolution to "this question" regarding Gentile salvation and the Mosaic Law. This journey marked a crucial moment for the early church's unity and doctrine.

Acts 15 2 Context

Chapter context: Acts 15 marks a pivotal turning point in the early Christian church. Preceding chapters (Acts 13-14) detail Paul and Barnabas's first missionary journey, where they extensively preached the gospel to Gentiles, resulting in many conversions. The return to Antioch brought great joy, but it also provoked a severe challenge from certain Jewish believers who insisted that Gentile converts must be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law to be truly saved. This belief (known as Judaizing) threatened to fracture the nascent church and restrict the gospel to a Jewish ethnic and legalistic framework. Verse 2 is the direct consequence of this "no small dissension" (Acts 15:1), highlighting the urgent need for an authoritative resolution.

Historical context: Jerusalem was the "mother church" and the original seat of the apostles. The early church was predominantly Jewish-Christian, deeply rooted in Old Testament traditions. The rapid influx of uncircumcised Gentiles presented an unprecedented theological and practical challenge. This debate reflected a fundamental tension: Is Christianity a sect of Judaism requiring conversion to Judaism, or a distinct new covenant for all humanity through faith in Christ alone? The Jerusalem Council became essential to define the terms of Gentile inclusion and the core nature of the gospel. The very legitimacy and direction of the Gentile mission hung in the balance. This historical moment serves as a model for how the early church navigated significant doctrinal disputes to preserve unity and gospel truth.

Acts 15 2 Word analysis

• Therefore: (Greek: Oun) This connective word signals a logical consequence, linking the strong disagreement described in this verse directly to the theological demand made by the men from Judea in Acts 15:1. It emphasizes that the severity of the challenge led to the subsequent action.
• Paul and Barnabas: Central figures in the Gentile mission, divinely appointed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2-4). Their apostolic authority and experience made their involvement in this debate and delegation essential.
• had no small dissension: (Greek: ouk oligēs staseōs) This is a literary device called a litotes, using a double negative ("not a little") to emphasize a strong positive, meaning "a very great" or "considerable" dissension. The word staseōs (στάσεως) suggests not just a casual disagreement but a serious internal conflict, perhaps even bordering on an uprising or a factional dispute within the Antiochene church, underscoring the gravity of the issue at hand.
• and dispute: (Greek: kai syzētēseōs) Syzētēseōs (συζητήσεως) implies a heated and vigorous debate or discussion. This was an earnest intellectual and spiritual contention over a critical theological point, indicating that the matter was thoroughly argued.
• with them: Refers to the "certain men from Judea" mentioned in Acts 15:1, who were promulgating the belief that Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law to be saved.
• they determined: (Greek: etaxan) Indicates a collective and formal decision made by the church in Antioch. The verb signifies to arrange, appoint, or decree, suggesting a structured and authoritative action by the community, likely led by its elders.
• that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them: This shows that the delegation was not just the two key apostles but also included other representatives. "Certain others" could provide additional eyewitness accounts or simply underscore the gravity of the mission by presenting a unified front.
• should go up to Jerusalem: Signifies traveling to the geographical and spiritual capital of early Christianity, acknowledging its status as the center of the apostolic church. "Go up" also conveys respect for its spiritual authority and historical origins.
• to the apostles and elders: Represents the recognized highest human authority within the early Christian church at that time. The "apostles" (like Peter, James, and John) were direct eyewitnesses of Christ and instrumental in the church's founding, possessing unique authority. The "elders" were respected local leaders or presbyters governing the Jerusalem church. Appealing to them indicated seeking a definitive, binding decision.
• about this question: (Greek: peri tou zētēmatos toutou) Clearly specifies the singular, crucial issue that precipitated the council: whether Gentile believers were required to undergo circumcision and observe the Mosaic Law for salvation. This specific "question" encompasses the entire debate over the nature of the gospel, whether it was one of grace for all or primarily a Jewish sect with proselyte requirements.

Words-group analysis:

• "Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them": This phrase powerfully conveys the gravity of the theological conflict within the Antiochene church. It wasn't a minor disagreement but a deep, potentially schismatic clash that warranted immediate and decisive action. The opposition faced by Paul and Barnabas was formidable and persistent.
• "they determined...should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders": This highlights the early church's mature approach to significant doctrinal disputes. It illustrates a clear understanding within the Antiochene church that this critical theological dispute required an appeal to a higher, universally recognized ecclesiastical authority for definitive guidance, rather than fragmenting into local interpretations. It also sets a vital precedent for how doctrinal controversies should be addressed within the body of Christ.
• "about this question": This brief phrase emphasizes the precise and fundamental nature of the debate, clarifying that the controversy concerned the very core of salvation and Christian identity for the burgeoning Gentile church. The question directly challenged the universality and freeness of the gospel proclaimed by Paul and Barnabas, impacting every future Gentile convert.

Acts 15 2 Bonus section

• The "dissension" was so significant that it could have potentially derailed the entire Gentile mission, creating an insurmountable barrier for non-Jewish converts and effectively confining Christianity to a Jewish sect.
• The decision to send Paul and Barnabas specifically reflects the Antiochene church's acknowledgment of their apostolic authority and direct experience in the Gentile mission, making them the most fitting representatives to present the Gentile case to the Jerusalem leadership.
• This passage demonstrates an early, Spirit-guided recognition of the need for an authoritative, collective resolution in theological matters that transcend individual churches. The appeal to the "apostles and elders" laid a foundational pattern for conciliar decision-making in the church.
• While "they determined" points to a decision by the Antiochene church, it implicitly suggests divine leading; such a momentous step would naturally be undertaken with prayer and discernment for God's will.
• The conflict highlights the tension between established tradition (Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision, foundational for Jewish identity) and the radical new inclusivity of the gospel through Christ. Acts 15:2 serves as the launch point for the critical theological synthesis that reconciled these elements.

Acts 15 2 Commentary

Acts 15:2 captures a defining moment in the early Christian church, demonstrating how critical theological challenges were addressed. The verse illustrates that even among believers, "no small dissension and dispute" could arise over fundamental gospel truths, particularly regarding the terms of salvation. This intense disagreement, specifically on whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised according to Mosaic Law, revealed a potential fissure that could have splintered the early church along ethnic and legalistic lines. The decision by the Antiochian church to send Paul, Barnabas, and others to consult the apostles and elders in Jerusalem underscores a crucial principle: the resolution of church-wide doctrinal disputes requires a structured approach involving established, Spirit-led authority. This proactive measure not only sought to preserve unity but also to firmly define the universal and grace-based nature of the gospel for all humanity, moving beyond the boundaries of Mosaic legalism. This appeal set the stage for the groundbreaking Jerusalem Council, a landmark event for the development and trajectory of Christianity.