Acts 21:17-26

Compromise about the Law Acts 21:17-26: When Paul and his companions reached Jerusalem he went to visit James, the Lord's brother. He reported how that God had received many Gentiles into the kingdom. There was still a great deal of confusion among Christians as to their relationship to the Law of Moses. Paul taught that no one is justified by the Law. However, many thousands of Jews which believed were all zealous of the law.

Paul was accused of teaching the Jews that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk after the costumes of the Law. He was told that there would be a meeting to discuss this matter. James suggested that Paul help four Jewish brethren keep their vows to prove that he was a keeper of the Law. We must become all things to all men but still one cannot help but be amazed at James' suggestion and at the fact that Paul would go along with it. Surely both of these great and good men did what they believed to be right under the circumstances. But, at best this was a tragic compromise.