The Jerusalem Council

¹ And some men came down from Judea and¹ began teaching² the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.”

1. *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came down”) has been translated as a finite verb
2. *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began teaching”)

² And after¹ there was no little strife and debate by Paul and Barnabas against them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this issue.

1. *Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was”)

³ So they were sent on their way by the church, and¹ passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers.

1. *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“were sent on their way”) has been translated as a finite verb

⁴ And when they¹ arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and reported all that God had done with them.

1. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal

⁵ But some of those who had believed from the party of the Pharisees stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them¹ to observe the law of Moses!”

1. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation

⁶ Both the apostles and the elders assembled to deliberate concerning this matter.

⁷ And after¹ there was much debate, Peter stood up and² said to them, “Men and brothers, you know that in the early days³ God chose among you through my mouth that the Gentiles should hear the message of the gospel and believe.

1. *Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was”)
2. *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stood up”) has been translated as a finite verb
3. Or “from ancient days”

⁸ And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by¹ giving them² the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us.

1. *Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“giving”) which is understood as means
2. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation

⁹ And he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

¹⁰ So now why are you putting God to the test by¹ placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

1. *Here “by” is supplied as a component of the infinitive (“placing”) which is understood as means

¹¹ But we believe we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in ⌞the same⌟¹ way those also are.”

1. Literally “which”

¹² And the whole group became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

¹³ And after they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Men and brothers, listen to me!

¹⁴ Simeon has described how God first concerned himself to take from among the Gentiles a people for his name.

¹⁵ And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

¹⁶ ‘After these things I will return and build up again the tent of David that has fallen, and the parts of it that had been torn down I will build up again and will restore it,

¹⁷ so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles¹ ⌞who are called by my name⌟,² says the Lord,³ who makes these things

1. The same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context
2. Literally “on whom my name has been called on them”
3. A quotation from Amos 9:11–12

¹⁸ known from of old.’¹

1. The last phrase of v. 17 and all of v. 18 is an allusion to Isa 45:21

¹⁹ Therefore I conclude we should not cause difficulty for those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,

²⁰ but we should write a letter to them to abstain from the pollution of idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood.

²¹ For Moses has those who proclaim him in every city from ancient generations, because he¹ is read aloud in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

1. *Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“is read aloud”) which is understood as causal

The Letter from the Council

²² Then it seemed best to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to send men chosen from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas who was called Barsabbas and Silas, men who were leaders among the brothers—

²³ writing this letter¹ ⌞to be delivered by them⌟:² The apostles and the elders, brothers. To the brothers who are from among the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. <block> Greetings!

1. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
2. Literally “by their hand”

²⁴ Because we have heard that some have gone out from among us—to whom we gave no orders—and¹ have thrown you into confusion by words upsetting your ⌞minds⌟,²

1. *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“have gone out”) has been translated as a finite verb
2. Literally “souls”

²⁵ it seemed best to us, ⌞having reached a unanimous decision⌟,¹ and² having chosen men, to send them³ to you together with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,

1. Literally “having become of one mind”
2. *Here “and” is supplied in keeping with English style
3. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation

²⁶ men who have risked their lives on behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²⁷ Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, and they will report the same things by word of mouth.

²⁸ For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us to place on you no greater burden except these necessary things:

²⁹ that you abstain from food sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you¹ keep yourselves from ⌞these things⌟² you will do well. Farewell. </block>

1. *Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“keep”) which is understood as conditional
2. Literally “which things”

The Letter Is Delivered to Antioch

³⁰ So when¹ they were sent off, they came down to Antioch, and after² calling together the community, they delivered the letter.

1. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“were sent off”) which is understood as temporal
2. *Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“calling together”) which is understood as temporal

³¹ And when they¹ read it² aloud, they rejoiced at the encouragement.

1. *Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“read … aloud”) which is understood as temporal
2. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation

³² Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers by a long message.

³³ And after¹ spending some time, they were sent away in peace from the brothers to those who had sent them.²

1. *Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“spending”) which is understood as temporal
2. A few later manuscripts add v. 34, “But Silas decided to stay there.”

³⁵ But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord with many others also.

Paul and Barnabas Disagree and Part Company

³⁶ And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, “Come then,let us return and¹ visit the brothers in every town in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”

1. *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“return”) has been translated as a finite verb

³⁷ Now Barnabas wanted to take John who was called Mark along also,

³⁸ but Paul held the opinion they should not take this one along, who departed from them in Pamphylia and did not accompany them in the work.

³⁹ And a sharp disagreement took place, so that they separated from one another. And Barnabas took along Mark and¹ sailed away to Cyprus,

1. *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took along”) has been translated as a finite verb

⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas and¹ departed, after² being commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers.

1. *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“chose”) has been translated as a finite verb
2. *Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“being commended”) which is understood as temporal

⁴¹ And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.