Acts 15 30

Acts 15:30 kjv

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

Acts 15:30 nkjv

So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

Acts 15:30 niv

So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.

Acts 15:30 esv

So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.

Acts 15:30 nlt

The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter.

Acts 15 verses

Acts 15 30 Meaning

The verse describes the journey and action of the delegates from the Jerusalem Council, who, having been officially dispatched, traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. Upon their arrival, they assembled the entire church congregation in Antioch and formally presented the authoritative letter containing the council's decisions regarding Gentile converts and their relationship to the Mosaic Law. This delivery marked a pivotal moment for unity and theological clarity in the early church.

Acts 15 30 Context

Acts chapter 15 records the landmark Jerusalem Council, convened to address a severe doctrinal dispute: whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law to be saved. This conflict arose in Antioch, a significant center of Gentile Christianity. The verse, Acts 15:30, follows the Council's decision (Acts 15:19-21) and the crafting of a letter communicating this verdict (Acts 15:23-29). It details the practical implementation of the council's decree by the chosen messengers, effectively bringing the theological and practical resolution back to the community that originated the controversy. Historically, Antioch was a diverse and vital hub, the starting point for Paul's first missionary journey, and where followers were first called "Christians." The delivery of this letter was crucial for maintaining unity between Jewish and Gentile believers and affirming salvation by grace through faith for all.

Acts 15 30 Word analysis

• So when they were sent off (Οἱ μὲν οὖν ἀπολυθέντες - Hoi men oun apolythentes):

  • Οἱ μὲν οὖν (Hoi men oun - "So then, these"): A particle phrase indicating transition and consequence, connecting this action directly to the previous decision. It signifies the commencement of the delegated mission.
  • ἀπολυθέντες (apolythentes): Aorist passive participle of ἀπολύω (apolyo), meaning "to send away, dismiss, release, set free." In this passive form, it signifies "having been sent off" or "formally dispatched." This highlights that their journey was not arbitrary but an official commission from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem (Acts 15:27), signifying apostolic authority and corporate decision-making.

• they went down (ἦλθον - elthon):

  • ἦλθον (elthon): Aorist indicative of ἔρχομαι (erchomai), meaning "to come, go." "Went down" is a common geographical and idiomatic expression, as Jerusalem is at a higher elevation than Antioch. This phrase emphasizes the physical journey undertaken by the messengers.

• to Antioch (εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν - eis Antiocheian):

  • Ἀντιόχειαν (Antiocheian): Accusative case of Antioch, referring to Antioch of Syria (Antioch on the Orontes), a crucial center for early Christianity and where the controversy over Gentile inclusion originated. Its significance lies in being the "home base" for Paul and Barnabas's first missionary journey and a primary location for Gentile converts.

• and having gathered (καὶ συναγαγόντες - kai synagagontes):

  • καὶ (kai - "and"): A simple conjunction connecting the previous action with the next.
  • συναγαγόντες (synagagontes): Aorist active participle of συνάγω (synago), meaning "to bring together, assemble, gather." This denotes a deliberate and active assembly. It wasn't a casual meeting but a formal convening of the church members. This action underscores transparency and inclusivity in conveying the crucial decision.

• the congregation (τὸ πλῆθος - to plēthos):

  • τὸ πλῆθος (to plēthos): Means "the multitude, the assembly, the mass, the majority." In this context, it specifically refers to the full assembly of the local Christian believers, the entire church body in Antioch. This indicates that the message was for the entire community, not just its leaders, demonstrating the early church's participatory nature in significant matters.

• they delivered (ἐπέδωκαν - epedōkan):

  • ἐπέδωκαν (epedōkan): Aorist indicative of ἐπιδίδωμι (epididomi), meaning "to give into the hand, deliver, hand over, present." This is a strong verb suggesting the formal and authoritative presentation of the document. It highlights the official nature of their mission and the importance of the communication.

• the letter (τὴν ἐπιστολήν - tēn epistolēn):

  • τὴν ἐπιστολήν (tēn epistolēn): Accusative case of ἐπιστολή (epistolē), meaning "letter, epistle." This refers to the official written decree from the Jerusalem Council, meticulously drafted and affirmed by the apostles and elders (Acts 15:23-29). It served as the binding theological and practical resolution to the Gentile question.

• Words-Group analysis:

  • "So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch": This phrase emphasizes the orderly and official nature of the mission. The delegation did not go on their own accord but were specifically authorized and dispatched by the highest church authority at that time in Jerusalem, reflecting structured leadership in the early church. The direction "went down" is a standard topographical description, contrasting Jerusalem's higher elevation.
  • "and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter": This highlights the intentional and communal aspect of the delivery. The message was not whispered or delivered piecemeal, but formally presented to the assembled body of believers. This ensured full transparency and direct communication of the council's binding decisions, vital for unity and avoiding further confusion within the Gentile churches.

Acts 15 30 Bonus section

The careful composition of the delegation (Paul and Barnabas, leaders of the Gentile mission, accompanied by Judas Barsabbas and Silas, "leading men among the brothers" from Jerusalem - Acts 15:22) ensured both representation and credibility. Judas and Silas, being members of the Jerusalem church, provided irrefutable testimony to the legitimacy of the letter's contents, dispelling any doubts that the decision might be misinterpreted or dismissed as merely Paul and Barnabas's own ideas. This strategic choice underscored the corporate conviction of the Jerusalem church behind the decree. The phrase "went down" from Jerusalem to Antioch (around 300 miles) highlights the arduous journey taken for the sake of the Gospel and the church's unity. This episode is a powerful example of how early church leadership responded to conflict with deliberation, divine guidance, and effective communication, leading to joy and encouragement for the wider body of believers. The act of "delivering the letter" was an act of peace-making, bringing clarity and promoting healthy fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers.

Acts 15 30 Commentary

Acts 15:30 marks the successful conclusion of the Jerusalem Council's mission to address the divisive issue of Gentile inclusion. The carefully chosen delegates, embodying the combined authority of the apostles, elders, and the whole church in Jerusalem, fulfilled their crucial role by traveling from Jerusalem's theological heart to Antioch, where the controversy first erupted. Their act of "gathering the congregation together" signifies the early church's commitment to transparency and the corporate reception of essential doctrines. The public "delivery of the letter" was more than a mere administrative task; it was the formal, authoritative communication of the Spirit-guided decision, aiming to resolve profound theological and relational tensions. This verse underpins the unity of the Spirit across diverse church contexts, demonstrates practical application of apostolic teaching, and sets a precedent for orderly communication of significant ecclesiastical decisions. It reveals a church striving for truth, peace, and mutual understanding amongst believers from different cultural and religious backgrounds.