Act 15:1-5 | NETfull | STEP | Now some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Acts 15:1-5

1 Now some men came down from Judea ^{▼▼ That is, they came down from Judea to Antioch in Syria.} and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised ^{▼▼ Codex Bezae (D) and a few other witnesses have “and walk” here (i.e., instead of τῷ ἔθει τῷ Μωϋσέως [tō ethei tō Mōüseōs] they read καὶ τῷ ἔθει τῷ Μωϋσέως περιπατῆτε [kai tō ethei tō Mōüseōs peripathte]). This is a decidedly stronger focus on obedience to the Law. As well, D expands vv. 1–5 in various places with the overall effect of being “more sympathetic to the local tradition of the church at Jerusalem” while the Alexandrian witnesses are more sympathetic to Paul (TCGNT 377). Codex D is well known for having a significantly longer text in Acts, but modern scholarship is generally of the opinion that the text of D expands on the original wording of Acts, with a theological viewpoint that especially puts Peter in a more authoritarian light. The expansion in these five verses is in keeping with that motif even though Peter is not explicitly in view.} ^{▼▼ Unless you are circumcised. These teachers from Judea were teaching that Gentiles could not be saved unless they kept the law of Moses in regard to circumcision. Thus according to them a Gentile had first to become a proselyte to Judaism, including circumcision, before one could become a Christian. This party is sometimes known (collectively) as Judaizers. They did not question that Gentiles could come into the community, but disagreed with Paul and Barnabas on what basis they could do so.} according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 When Paul and Barnabas had a major argument and debate ^{▼▼ Grk “no little argument and debate” (an idiom).} with them, the church ^{▼▼ Grk “they”; the referent (the church, or the rest of the believers at Antioch) has been specified to avoid confusion with the Judaizers mentioned in the preceding clause.} appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to meet with ^{▼▼ Grk “go up to,” but in this context a meeting is implied.} the apostles and elders in Jerusalem ^{▼▼ For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; Journey of Paul map 1-F4; Journey of Paul map 2-F4; Journey of Paul map 3-F4; Journey of Paul map 4-F4.} about this point of disagreement. ^{▼▼ Or “point of controversy.” It is unclear whether this event parallels Gal 2:1–10 or that Gal 2 fits with Acts 11:30. More than likely Gal 2:1–10 is to be related to Acts 11:30.} 3 So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia ^{▼▼ Phoenicia was an area along the Mediterranean coast north of Palestine in ancient Syria.} and Samaria, they were relating at length ^{▼▼ L&N 33.201 indicates that ἐκδιηγέομαι (ekdiēgeomai) means to provide detailed information in a systematic manner, “to inform, to relate, to tell fully.” “Relating at length” conveys this effectively in the present context.} the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy ^{▼▼ For ἐποίουν (epoioun) in this verse BDAG 839 s.v. ποιέω 2.c has “they brought joy to the members.”} to all the brothers. 4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received ^{▼▼ BDAG 761 s.v. παραδέχομαι 2 has “receive, accept” for the meaning here.} by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported ^{▼▼ Or “announced.”} all the things God had done with them. ^{▼▼ “They reported all the things God had done with them” - an identical phrase occurs in Acts 14:27. God is always the agent.} 5 But some from the religious party of the Pharisees ^{▼▼ See the note on Pharisee in 5:34.} who had believed stood up and said, “It is necessary ^{▼▼ The Greek word used here (δεῖ, dei) is a strong term that expresses divine necessity. The claim is that God commanded the circumcision of Gentiles.} to circumcise the Gentiles ^{▼▼ Grk “them”; the referent (the Gentiles) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} and to order them to observe ^{▼▼ Or “keep.”} the law of Moses.”