And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, _and said_, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. Ver. 1. _And certain men, &c._] Cerinthus, the heretic, with his complices, saith Epiphanius. These are said to "subvert the gospel," Galatians 1:7. A... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 2. _No small dissension_] We must earnestly contend for the faith o... [ Continue Reading ]
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. Ver. 3. _By the Church_] That is, by the community of God's people, who therefore (as it may seem) sided with Paul and Ba... [ Continue Reading ]
And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and _of_ the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. Ver. 4. _They were received of the Church_] _i.e._ By the body of the people; for the apostles and elders have a peculiar place assigne... [ Continue Reading ]
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command _them_ to keep the law of Moses. Ver. 5. _But there rose up_] These are not Luke's words, but the apostles continuing their speech: they declared all things that God... [ Continue Reading ]
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. Ver. 6. _And the apostles and elders, &c._] This was the first Christian council. The four following general councils, _a_ Gregory the Great held of equal authority almost with the four Gospels. _In posterioribus conciliis_ ... [ Continue Reading ]
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men _and_ brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. Ver. 7. _And when there had been much disputing_] Each part striv... [ Continue Reading ]
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as _he did_ unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Ver. 9. _Purifying their hearts by faith_] Faith (as a neat housewife) sweeps clean, and suffers never a slut's... [ Continue Reading ]
Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? Ver. 10. _Now, therefore, why tempt ye God_] Or (as Jerome in a certain epistle to Augustine reads this text, and so it runs more smoothly), "Why attempt ye to put a yok... [ Continue Reading ]
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Ver. 11. _That through the grace_] We sail to heaven all upon one bottom; we climb up all by one ladder. If any conceit another way, he must erect a ladder and go up alone: he shall (as Aristotle somewhe... [ Continue Reading ]
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. Ver. 12. _Then all the multitude kept silence_] See here the picture of a lawful council, guided by the word and Spirit of God. It was not a C... [ Continue Reading ]
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men _and_ brethren, hearken unto me: Ver. 13. _James answered_] Who seemed to be a pillar, Galatians 2:9, and was so, both of the college of apostles and of the Church at Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Ver. 14. _Simeon hath declared, &c._] _q.d._ He hath done it very well, only he hath not alleged any text of Scripture for confirmation; which therefore I will add. In Popish councils the Ho... [ Continue Reading ]
And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, Ver. 15. _And to this agree, &c._] The Scriptures must overrule; as Cyril saith in a synod at Ephesus, upon a high throne in the temple there lay _sanctum Evangelium, _ the holy gospel.... [ Continue Reading ]
After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: Ver. 16. _Which is fallen down_] Christ came when all seemed to be lost and laid on heaps. He still reserveth his holy hand for a dead lift,... [ Continue Reading ]
That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Ver. 17. _May seek the Lord_] All saints are seekers in this sense, Psalms 24:6. They seek not his omnipresence, but his gracious presence, Psalms 105:4... [ Continue Reading ]
Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Ver. 18. _Known unto God, &c._] And consequently the calling of the Gentiles is foreknown and foreappointed by him, as a thing to be done in due time, though they be never circumcised.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: Ver. 19. _That we trouble not_] Gr. παρενοχλειν. Trouble them more than needs; they will meet with trouble enough otherwise in the way to heaven. "I would they were even cut off" that thus trouble t... [ Continue Reading ]
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and _from_ fornication, and _from_ things strangled, and _from_ blood. Ver. 20. _And from fornication_] Which is here reckoned among things indifferent, κατα δοξαν, ου κατα θεσιν, because the Gentiles esteemed it (falsely) a t... [ Continue Reading ]
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. Ver. 21. _For Moses of old time, &c._] This is alleged as a reason why they should as yet abstain from those indifferents, because the Jews, having been accustomed to Moses's writings, cou... [ Continue Reading ]
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; _namely_, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: Ver. 22. _Chief men among the brethren_] For authority' sake; and that the false apo... [ Continue Reading ]
And they wrote _letters_ by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren _send_ greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Ver. 23. _And wrote letters by them_] For the better confirmation of the weak and confutation of the wilful, to be a... [ Continue Reading ]
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, _Ye must_ be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no _such_ commandment: Ver. 24. _Subverting your souls_] ανασκευαζοντες. Pulling down that which had been set up,... [ Continue Reading ]
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Ver. 25. _To send chosen men with our beloved_] _Delectos cum dilectis._ See Acts 15:22; Acts 15:27 .... [ Continue Reading ]
Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ver. 26. _Men that hazarded their lives, &c._] One ancient copy adds εις παντα πειρασμον, to all sorts of trials and tribulations. Love, as it is a passion, so it is tried rather by passions than actions.... [ Continue Reading ]
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell _you_ the same things by mouth. Ver. 27. _We have sent Judas and Silas_] Men skilful in comforting consciences and resolving cases, as Acts 15:32. Conscience is a diamond, and will be wrought on by nothing but dust of diamond, such as cont... [ Continue Reading ]
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; Ver. 28. _For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost_] That is only a lawful synod wherein the Holy Ghost is present and president. Nothing was resolved by the Trent fathers, but all in Rome; s... [ Continue Reading ]
That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. Ver. 29. _And from fornication_] Some Greek copies add, "and whatsoever ye would not should be done to you, that ye do not... [ Continue Reading ]
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: Ver. 30. _And when they had gathered the multitude_] This was fair dealing indeed. Among Papists, the people are held in gross ignorance; and taught to believe as the Ch... [ Continue Reading ]
_Which_ when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. Ver. 31. _They rejoiced for the consolation_] How should we rejoice in Christ our Saviour, who bare our sins, &c., and freed us from the burden and brunt of both crime and curse!... [ Continue Reading ]
And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed _them_. Ver. 32. _See Trapp on "_ Act 15:27 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And after they had tarried _there_ a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. Ver. 33. _They were let go in peace_] _i.e._ Judas was, but not Silas, upon second thoughts,Acts 15:34. After their office put upon them by the synod was faithfully discharged, they did not gi... [ Continue Reading ]
Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. Ver. 34. _To abide there still_] Upon second thoughts, after he had leave to depart, he stayed there a while longer. This Silas is thought to be the same with Sylvanus, as Joshua is the same with Jehoshua, Haggai 2:2; Zechariah 3:1 . _ Notwith... [ Continue Reading ]
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. Ver. 35. _Teaching and preaching_] _i.e._ Being instant and earnest, _non frigidi docent, sed instant et urgent, _ saith Calvin here; they lay their bones to the Lord's work, they set th... [ Continue Reading ]
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, _and see_ how they do. Ver. 36. _And see how they do_] Whether that wicked one (or troubler, ο πονηρος, Mat 13:39) hath not cast his club among them, or cor... [ Continue Reading ]
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. Ver. 37. _To take with them John_] Who was Barnabas's sister's son, Colossians 4:10. Hence Barnabas might be so desirous to promote him. Paul was also afterwards better conceited of him, as may be seenColossians 4:10 .... [ Continue Reading ]
But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. Ver. 38. _Who departed from them_] Providing for his own ease; for they were then to take a tedious and dangerous journey over the high hill Taurus. This John liked not, but l... [ Continue Reading ]
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; Ver. 39. _And the contention, &c._] The paroxysm (παροξυσμος) or fit of a fever, so great was the commotion, the perturbation. St Luke being a physician, s... [ Continue Reading ]
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. Ver. 40. _Being recommended by the brethren_] Whereby it appeareth that the Church took Paul's part, and God blessed his labours wherever he came; whereas Barnabas lies buried, as it were, and little more i... [ Continue Reading ]
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. Ver. 41. _And he went_] Being incessant and unsatisfiable in his master Christ's service.... [ Continue Reading ]