Acts 15:24

On the similarity of this verse in phraseology to St. Luke's preface, Luke 1:1, Schwegler, Zeller, Weiss, Friedrich, Hilgenfeld, and others have commented. But, after all, in what does the likeness consist? Simply in the fact that here as there we have ἐπειδή introducing the antecedent clause, and ἔδοξεν the subsequent clause. Friedrich (p. 46) considers this as too striking to be a matter of chance, but strangely he writes each of the two passages as if they commenced with the same word, see below on Acts 15:28 ἐπειδήπερ. This word is a curious one, and is only found in Luke 1:1 (not in LXX), but there is no authority for reading it in the passage before us in Acts. Nösgen, Apostelgeschichte, p. 45, refers to instances of a similar formula and phraseology as in use in Jewish writings, cf. Jost, Jüd. Gesch., i., 284. τινὲς ἐξ ἡμῶν, cf. for the expression Galatians 2:12. ἐξελ., see critical notes. ἐτάραξαν ἡμᾶς cf. Galatians 1:7; Galatians 5:10. λόγοις may mean with words only, words without true doctrine. ἀνασκευάζοντες, “subverting,” A. and R.V.; not in LXX, and only here in N.T., in classical Greek, primarily colligere vasa, to pack up, and so to carry away: or to dismantle a place; to destroy, overthrow, and so trop. as in text of breaking treaties (Polyb.), of destroying an opponent's arguments (Arist.). Nösgen and Felten note it amongst the non-Lucan words in the decree, so βάρος, τὸ ἐπάναγκες, διὰ λόγον, ἀπαγγέλλειν, εὖ πράττειν, ἔῤῥωσθε, ἀγαπητός. οἷς οὐ διεστειλὰμεθα : “to whom we gave no commandment,” R.V., omitting “such,” not in text, and weakens; in Tyndale, Cramner, and Genevan Version; cf. Galatians 2:12, and Acts 21:20; only used once in passive in N.T., Hebrews 12:20, often in LXX in middle voice, meaning to warn, cf. also its meaning in Jdt 11:12 with Mark 5:43, etc.