Acts 16 4

Acts 16:4 kjv

And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

Acts 16:4 nkjv

And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.

Acts 16:4 niv

As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.

Acts 16:4 esv

As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.

Acts 16:4 nlt

Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.

Acts 16 verses

Acts 16 4 Meaning

As Paul and Silas continued their missionary journey through various towns, they diligently shared with the churches the definitive decisions established by the apostles and elders during the council in Jerusalem. These decisions were given for the believers to observe and adhere to, providing clarity and authoritative guidance on critical matters for Gentile converts within the early church.

Acts 16 4 Context

Acts chapter 16 begins with Paul and Silas, joined by Timothy, embarking on a leg of Paul's second missionary journey. Following a significant disagreement with Barnabas (Acts 15:36-41), Paul takes Silas and begins to visit the churches they had previously established. The verse in focus (Acts 16:4) comes immediately after Paul’s recruitment of Timothy and establishes a key practice of this journey. The broader context of this verse is the aftermath of the Jerusalem Council in Acts chapter 15. This council was convened to address a critical theological and practical dispute: whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law to be saved. The council, guided by the Holy Spirit, the apostles (Peter, James), and the elders, rendered a unanimous decision (Acts 15:28-29) that Gentile believers were saved by grace through faith in Christ alone, without the need for circumcision. However, for the sake of unity and avoiding unnecessary offense to Jewish believers, the Gentiles were instructed to abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. Acts 16:4 shows Paul and his companions actively disseminating these vital, Spirit-led decrees to the scattered Gentile churches, reinforcing doctrinal clarity and practical fellowship throughout the burgeoning Christian communities.

Acts 16 4 Word analysis

• As they went through (Greek: ὡς διεπορεύοντο, hōs dieporeuonto): Denotes continuous action, signifying Paul and his team's methodical journeying and engagement with multiple communities. It was a deliberate, systematic tour.
• the towns (Greek: τὰς πόλεις, tas poleis): Refers to the various urban centers and populated areas where Christian communities had already formed or where they were establishing new ones. These were strategic locations for evangelism and church planting.
• they delivered (Greek: παρεδίδουν, paredidoun): This verb is in the imperfect tense, suggesting an ongoing or repeated action. It means "to hand over," "to transmit," or "to pass on." This highlights the diligence and systematic nature of Paul's dissemination of the decrees, ensuring they reached every community. It carries a sense of formal and authoritative transmission, similar to how a teaching or tradition is handed down.
• to them: Refers to the Christian believers and congregations in those towns. The decrees were specifically for their understanding and adherence.
• for observance (Greek: τοῦ φυλάσσειν, tou phylassein): Implies "to keep," "to guard," "to observe," or "to obey." This phrase underscores the binding nature of the decrees; they were not mere suggestions but authoritative instructions to be followed for the well-being and unity of the church.
• the decisions (Greek: τὰ δόγματα, ta dogmata): This term translates to "decrees," "ordinances," or "resolutions." In this context, it specifically refers to the rulings made by the Jerusalem Council. It signifies an authoritative declaration, carrying weight and expectation for obedience within the early Christian communities. It's a foundational set of principles for inter-community fellowship.
• that had been reached (Greek: τὰ κεκριμένα, ta kekrimena): This perfect passive participle emphasizes that these decisions were already made, a settled matter resulting from careful deliberation and divine guidance. It denotes the established and conclusive nature of the council's verdict.
• by the apostles (Greek: τῶν ἀποστόλων, tōn apostolōn): Refers to the original chosen emissaries of Christ (e.g., Peter, James, John, Paul himself in his broader apostleship to the Gentiles). Their authority derived directly from Christ's commission, making their pronouncements weighty for the entire church.
• and elders (Greek: καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, kai tōn presbyterōn): Refers to the recognized spiritual leaders of the church in Jerusalem. This inclusion shows a broader leadership consensus and participation in the decision-making process, combining both the foundational authority of the apostles and the local administrative and pastoral wisdom of the elders.
• in Jerusalem: The location of the foundational church and the headquarters for the apostles, making it the central hub for authoritative decisions impacting the global Christian movement. It signifies the source of unified direction for the widespread Gentile churches.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "As they went through the towns, they delivered to them for observance": This phrase depicts Paul's team acting as official messengers. Their journey was not merely evangelistic, but also for ecclesiastical communication and consolidation. The "delivery for observance" emphasizes that these were not optional guidelines but authoritative principles for church conduct.
• "the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem": This segment highlights the origin and authority of the decrees. They weren't Paul's personal ideas but divinely guided, corporate rulings from the central authority of the early church. This demonstrates the early church's recognition of a collective spiritual authority in establishing practices and doctrines for the global body of Christ. The emphasis on both "apostles" (foundational, commissioned figures) and "elders" (established local leadership) points to a collaborative, Spirit-led governing body.

Acts 16 4 Bonus section

The careful transmission of the Jerusalem Decrees by Paul and Silas highlights the foundational principle of church governance and ecclesiastical order. It wasn't sufficient for the council to make decisions; those decisions had to be formally communicated and adhered to by the diverse and geographically spread congregations. This act establishes a pattern for the church in all ages: authoritative teachings and disciplinary actions for the church's good require deliberate and intentional propagation to be effective. It underlines the understanding that spiritual health in communities often flows from clear doctrine and unified practice. Furthermore, the explicit mention of "apostles and elders" points to the proto-development of church polity where recognized spiritual authorities (apostles with universal oversight and elders with local responsibility) jointly governed. This collaborative model demonstrates both charismatic and ordered authority at play in guiding the early Christian movement.

Acts 16 4 Commentary

Acts 16:4 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating the methodical and authoritative extension of the Jerusalem Council's decisions into the nascent Gentile churches. Its significance lies in several key aspects:

Firstly, it underscores the importance of apostolic authority and church leadership in the early Christian movement. The decisions were "delivered" as authoritative "decrees" from the "apostles and elders" in Jerusalem, signifying a unified front guided by the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:28). This was not merely Paul's opinion but the corporate judgment of the early church's central leadership, designed to provide structure and doctrinal purity. The act of "delivering" implies an ongoing transmission, establishing a chain of teaching and governance from Jerusalem to the periphery churches.

Secondly, the verse highlights the purpose and practical impact of these decrees: fostering unity and holiness within the diverse church. The rules against food sacrificed to idols, blood, strangled animals, and sexual immorality were not salvific requirements but ethical guidelines primarily aimed at promoting fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers (Acts 15:20, 29). By observing these, Gentile converts could avoid causing unnecessary offense or stumbling for their Jewish brethren, thus paving the way for harmonious communion in the local assemblies. This reveals a critical balance: salvation is by grace through faith, but Christian living requires practical adjustments for mutual love and corporate integrity.

Finally, this systematic dissemination contributed directly to the growth and strengthening of the churches. Acts 16:5, immediately following, states that "So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily." This shows that clear, authoritative guidance, coupled with Spirit-led proclamation of the Gospel, provided stability and growth. The practical application of biblical truth, understood through communal decision-making and submission to recognized authority, was vital for the early church's vitality and expansion.

Examples:

• Practical usage for churches today: A denomination establishing guidelines for worship or ethical conduct that all its congregations are encouraged to observe, based on a collective theological discernment.
• A local church developing a policy on fellowship or mission, seeking wisdom from respected older leaders or broader church traditions.
• Individual believers submitting to the clear doctrinal and ethical teachings agreed upon by a council of Spirit-filled leaders, even if challenging personally, for the sake of unity and Christ-likeness.