Acts 15 31

Acts 15:31 kjv

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

Acts 15:31 nkjv

When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.

Acts 15:31 niv

The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.

Acts 15:31 esv

And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.

Acts 15:31 nlt

And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.

Acts 15 verses

Acts 15 31 Meaning

Upon receiving and hearing the letter from the Jerusalem Council, the Gentile believers in Antioch were filled with great joy. This joy stemmed from the "consolation" or "encouragement" that the letter provided, confirming that they were truly accepted into the Christian faith by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, without the necessity of adhering to the full Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision. The message lifted a significant spiritual and theological burden from them.

Acts 15 31 Context

This verse is positioned immediately after the delivery of a crucial letter from the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:22-29) to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. The council, convened to resolve the significant theological controversy regarding whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law to be saved, had issued a decisive ruling. This ruling affirmed that Gentiles did not need to be circumcised or fully Judaize, but should only abstain from specific practices to facilitate fellowship with Jewish believers (Acts 15:28-29).

Historically and culturally, the debate had created considerable tension within the nascent Christian movement. Jewish believers, long accustomed to their heritage and the Law, struggled with the inclusion of Gentiles without demanding conformity to their traditions. This contention threatened the unity and universality of the burgeoning church. The letter was a formal, apostolic resolution, clarifying the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith for both Jew and Gentile, and thereby countering the "Judaizers" who taught a gospel dependent on legalistic works (Acts 15:1, 5). The joyful reception in Antioch signals the profound relief and confirmation felt by the Gentile community, whose understanding of salvation was now firmly validated by the apostolic leadership.

Acts 15 31 Word analysis

• Which (Ἣν, Hēn): A demonstrative pronoun, referring directly and exclusively to the "letter" (ἐπιστολὴν, epistolēn) mentioned in the preceding verse (Acts 15:30). This highlights that the specific message and authority contained within this particular letter were the direct cause of their reaction.

• when they had read (ἀναγνόντες, anagnontes): This is an aorist participle, meaning "having read." The term implies more than a private glance; "anaginoskō" often refers to public reading or recitation for a listening audience, suggesting that the letter's contents were made known communally. The public declaration of the decision underscored its official and unifying nature, allowing the entire gathered body to receive and grasp the significance of its message.

• rejoiced (ἐχάρησαν, echarēsan): From the verb χαίρω (chairō), meaning "to be full of joy," "to be delighted," or "to celebrate." This is a strong and active expression of gladness. It signifies a profound emotional and spiritual response to the news, indicative of true relief and spiritual affirmation. This joy was not fleeting but deep-seated, reflecting a liberation from confusion and potentially crippling religious burdens. It parallels the joy of receiving the good news of the Gospel elsewhere in Acts (Acts 8:8).

• for the consolation (ἐπὶ τῇ παρακλήσει, epi tē paraklēsei):

  • for (ἐπὶ, epi): A preposition here indicating the basis, ground, or cause for their rejoicing. Their joy was "upon the basis of" or "because of" this specific element.
  • consolation (παρακλήσει, paraklēsei): From παράκλησις (paraklēsis). This is a richly meaningful term with a broad semantic range, central to the understanding of the verse:
    • Comfort/Consolation: The letter brought immense solace, easing the anxieties and burdens placed upon them by those advocating legalism. It assured them of their full acceptance by God without having to undergo alien religious customs.
    • Encouragement/Exhortation: It served as an empowering affirmation of their status in Christ, strengthening their faith and urging them forward in their walk, free from doubt concerning their salvation or inclusion in the new covenant.
    • Divine Quality: The term "paraklēsis" is intimately connected to "Paraclete" (παράκλητος, paraklētos), the title for the Holy Spirit as the "Comforter" or "Advocate" (John 14:16, 26). While not directly stating the Holy Spirit, the comfort and encouragement conveyed through the letter and the council's decision were understood as ultimately divinely inspired and a work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:28). It was, in essence, God's comforting assurance delivered through His chosen instruments.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "rejoiced for the consolation": This phrase eloquently captures the immediate and profound effect of the council's resolution. The joy was not arbitrary; it was directly caused by the profound "consolation" (comfort and encouragement) offered by the clarity of the Gospel message. This indicates a deeply spiritual reaction, affirming their identity in Christ and removing any remaining doubts stirred by legalistic demands. It speaks to the freeing and life-giving power of truth.

Acts 15 31 Bonus section

• The communal reading and collective rejoicing demonstrate the early church's participatory nature and the leaders' commitment to transparency and communication. The decision of the apostles and elders was not imposed but was presented for the community's understanding and acceptance.
• The event in Antioch served as a critical precedent for how the early church would navigate theological disagreements, prioritizing unity in essential doctrines while extending grace on non-essentials. The process involved prayer, discussion, Scriptural consultation, and reliance on the Holy Spirit's guidance (Acts 15:28).
• The removal of external legalistic burdens allowed the Gentile believers to grow in genuine faith and love, demonstrating the fulfillment of Jeremiah's new covenant prophecy (Jer 31:33) where the law is written on hearts rather than demanding outward conformity alone.
• The immediate, tangible joy of the believers validates the wisdom and divine leading behind the Jerusalem Council's decision, signifying that it truly was "good to the Holy Ghost, and to us" (Acts 15:28).

Acts 15 31 Commentary

Acts 15:31 vividly captures the moment of profound relief and jubilation among the Gentile believers in Antioch as they received the authoritative word from the Jerusalem Council. The core issue of whether Gentile converts needed to conform to Jewish Law, specifically circumcision, had created considerable disquiet. The letter's declaration that salvation comes through grace by faith, for Gentiles no less than for Jews, removed an immense burden. The term "consolation" (paraklēsis) perfectly describes the effect: it brought comfort to their anxious hearts, assurance concerning their standing before God, and powerful encouragement to persevere in their new faith without the yoke of unnecessary religious regulations. This response underscores the vital importance of doctrinal clarity and the liberating power of the gospel of grace. The unity fostered by this apostolic decree further reinforced the church's peace and paved the way for more unhindered evangelism among the Gentiles, highlighting that true joy often follows the revelation of God's liberating truth.

• Examples:
  • The peace experienced by someone who realizes salvation is by grace, not exhausting self-effort.
  • The joy of a community finding unity and renewed purpose after a period of divisive theological debate.
  • The encouragement received from clear biblical teaching that dispels spiritual confusion or false burdens.