Acts 15:27 kjv
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
Acts 15:27 nkjv
We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.
Acts 15:27 niv
Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.
Acts 15:27 esv
We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.
Acts 15:27 nlt
We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.
Acts 15 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Verification/Witnesses | ||
| Deut 19:15 | "A single witness shall not suffice... but by the mouth of two or three witnesses a matter shall be established." | Principle of multiple witnesses for validation. |
| Matt 18:16 | "...take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses." | Christ's instruction on confirming truth. |
| John 8:17 | "In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true." | Jesus citing Law for validation. |
| 2 Cor 13:1 | "Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses." | Paul's application of witness principle. |
| 1 Tim 5:19 | "Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses." | Church discipline requires multiple witnesses. |
| Heb 2:4 | "...while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit..." | God's own verification of the Gospel. |
| John 15:27 | "And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning." | Disciples as eyewitnesses to Christ's ministry. |
| 1 John 1:3 | "that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us..." | Apostolic proclamation based on direct witness. |
| Sending Messengers/Authority | ||
| Isa 6:8 | "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'" | Prophetic sending and willing response. |
| Jer 29:3 | "...by the hand of Elasah...and Gemariah..., whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon." | Official sending of emissaries with messages. |
| Rom 10:15 | "And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'" | Importance of being sent to proclaim. |
| Eph 4:11 | "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers," | God gifts leaders for church's edification. |
| Acts 13:2-4 | "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'" | Holy Spirit-directed sending of missionaries. |
| Acts 14:26 | "And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them..." | Reporting back after being sent. |
| Oral Communication/Teaching | ||
| 2 Thess 2:15 | "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter." | Emphasizes both oral and written teaching. |
| 2 Tim 2:2 | "...and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." | Oral transmission of doctrine, spiritual heritage. |
| Unity/Guidance | ||
| Acts 15:28 | "For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements..." | Holy Spirit's role in the Council's decision. |
| Rom 15:5-6 | "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another... that together you may with one voice glorify the God..." | Call for unity and mutual encouragement. |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you..." | Paul's plea for unity against division. |
| Eph 4:3 | "...eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." | Diligence required for preserving church unity. |
| Phil 2:2 | "complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." | Importance of unity of mind and purpose. |
Acts 15 verses
Acts 15 27 Meaning
Acts 15:27 explains that the Jerusalem Council, after deciding on the status of Gentile believers, sent two trusted men, Judas Barsabbas and Silas, along with the letter to Antioch. Their specific mission was to orally confirm and explain the same message contained in the written decree, thereby ensuring accurate understanding and authoritative affirmation of the Council's Spirit-guided decision.
Acts 15 27 Context
Acts 15 records the crucial Jerusalem Council, convened to address the contentious issue of whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law for salvation. This debate arose after certain individuals from Judea taught in Antioch that Gentiles could not be saved without circumcision, directly contradicting Paul and Barnabas's gospel. After significant discussion and testimonies from Peter, Barnabas, Paul, and James, the Council, guided by the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:28), decided that Gentiles were saved by grace through faith alone and were not bound by the ceremonial law, though they were encouraged to abstain from specific practices that could hinder fellowship with Jewish believers. Verse 27 highlights the careful measures taken by the Council to communicate this pivotal decision effectively and prevent further confusion, ensuring both written and authoritative verbal confirmation reached the Gentile churches.
Acts 15 27 Word analysis
- We have therefore sent (Greek: ἐκπέμψαμεν - ekpempsamen): This is a perfect tense verb, indicating a completed action with continuing results. It denotes an official and authoritative dispatch, emphasizing the Council's deliberate and weighty decision to commission these individuals. This reflects careful consideration and an authoritative decision by the church leadership.
- Judas and Silas (Greek: Ἰούδας - Ioudas; Σίλας - Silas): These men were chosen as "leading men among the brothers" (Acts 15:22) from the Jerusalem church. Judas, also called Barsabbas, was recognized as a prophet (Acts 15:32). Silas, later known as Silvanus, was also a prophet and became a prominent co-worker with Paul (Acts 15:40; Acts 16:19-25) and Peter (1 Pet 5:12). Their selection underlines the Council's prudence in appointing trusted, respected, and spiritually gifted individuals whose witness would carry significant weight and authenticity among the receiving churches.
- who will themselves (Greek: αὐτοὶ - autoi): The emphatic use of "themselves" underscores their direct, personal presence and active participation in delivering the message. It highlights that they were not merely couriers but living witnesses, personally vouching for the truth and origin of the Council's decision. This direct testimony provided a layer of verification beyond the written word.
- tell you (Greek: ἀπαγγελοῦσιν - apaggelousin): A future indicative verb, meaning "they will report," "declare," or "announce." This signifies a formal and clear articulation of the facts, indicating that they would provide a comprehensive verbal explanation of the Council's decree, possibly clarifying any potential ambiguities or nuances.
- the same things (Greek: τὰ αὐτά - ta auta): This phrase stresses the absolute congruence between the oral testimony and the written letter. There would be no discrepancy or contradiction, thereby guaranteeing the consistency, accuracy, and unified nature of the message from Jerusalem. It dispelled any doubt about the decision's integrity.
- by word of mouth (Greek: διὰ λόγου - dia logou): Literally "through speech" or "by discourse." This emphasizes the importance of direct oral communication. In the ancient world, personal, verbal testimony was often paramount for authenticity and clarity. It allowed for questions and immediate clarification, fostering deeper understanding and trust than a written document alone could achieve, especially in addressing sensitive or debated theological issues.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "We have therefore sent Judas and Silas": This phrase emphasizes the deliberate and authoritative nature of the Council's decision. They selected men of high standing and spiritual gifts to ensure the proper representation and acceptance of their resolution.
- "who will themselves tell you the same things": This highlights the crucial role of personal, eyewitness testimony in authenticating the message. The chosen delegates served as living guarantees, preventing any misinterpretation or questioning of the written decree.
- "by word of mouth": This specifies the method of confirmation. It underscores the practical wisdom of the early church in combining written authority with dynamic, oral communication to ensure clarity, foster understanding, and build trust in a significant doctrinal matter, addressing questions interactively.
Acts 15 27 Bonus section
- The practice of sending authoritative representatives along with written decrees was a common and effective method of official communication in the ancient world, reinforcing the authenticity and importance of the message.
- The inclusion of Judas and Silas, both described as prophets, indicates the Council's belief that their spoken word, guided by the Holy Spirit (as implied in Acts 15:28), would further confirm and articulate the divine will behind the decision.
- This act demonstrates the early church's commitment to thoroughness and preventing disunity. They aimed to leave no room for doubt or continued misinterpretation of the vital Gospel truth that Gentiles are saved by faith without needing to follow Mosaic Law.
- Silas's involvement here marks a pivotal point, leading to his enduring partnership with Paul in later missionary journeys, signifying the positive outcome and collaborative spirit established by this Council decision.
Acts 15 27 Commentary
Acts 15:27 illustrates the profound pastoral wisdom and strategic foresight of the early church leadership. Recognizing the gravity of the decision concerning Gentile inclusion and the potential for misunderstanding or continued dissension, they adopted a comprehensive communication strategy. The formal letter (Acts 15:23-26) provided a clear written record of the decree. However, the Council understood that written communication alone could be insufficient to quell a controversy of such magnitude. Therefore, by dispatching trusted and spiritually gifted representatives—Judas and Silas—they provided living authentication of the letter's contents. These men could personally convey, explain, and answer questions regarding the Council's decision, ensuring fidelity to the message, building personal relationships with the Gentile churches, and validating the spiritual authority behind the decree. This dual approach of written and oral testimony, aligned with biblical principles of validation, effectively fostered unity and doctrinal clarity, laying crucial groundwork for the harmonious expansion of the early church.