Acts 15:25

being assembled with one accord The words may be so rendered and passage be compared with Acts 2:1; Acts 4:24; Acts 5:12. But in those passages there is only the substantive verb εἰμὶ, while here γίγνεσθαι has its proper sense of "becoming." It seems therefore better and more accordant with the sense of the passage to translate -having become of one accord" or -having come to one accord."

to send chosen men unto you The participle here is not passive and so should not be referred to Judas and Silas, but to those who sent them. Render literally "that having chosen out men we should send them, &c." i.e. "to choose out men and send them." So R. V.

with our beloved The intention of the whole letter is to shew the honour which the church in Jerusalem felt was due to these missionary labourers. Hence the adjective "beloved" which in N. T. is specially applied to those who are closely united in faith and love. St Peter applies it to St Paul (2 Peter 3:15).

Barnabas and Paul The name of Barnabas is put first here perhaps because he had been formerly (Acts 11:22) sent as a special messenger from the church in Jerusalem to Antioch.