CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 15:23 and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/15-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/44_Act_15_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 15:23 - The Letter to the Gentile Believers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/acts/15-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/acts/15-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/acts/">Acts</a> > <a href="/acts/15.htm">Chapter 15</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/15-22.htm" title="Acts 15:22">◄</a> Acts 15:23 <a href="/acts/15-24.htm" title="Acts 15:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/15.htm">New International Version</a> With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. <a href="/nlt/acts/15.htm">New Living Translation</a> This is the letter they took with them: “This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings! <a href="/esv/acts/15.htm">English Standard Version</a> with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. <a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. <a href="/blb/acts/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> having written by their hand: "The apostles and the elders, brothers, To those brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. <a href="/kjv/acts/15.htm">King James Bible</a> And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: <a href="/nkjv/acts/15.htm">New King James Version</a> They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. <a href="/nasb_/acts/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> and they sent this letter with them: “The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to the brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: Greetings. <a href="/nasb/acts/15.htm">NASB 1995</a> and they sent this letter by them, &#8220The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. <a href="/nasb77/acts/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and they sent this letter by them, “ <HL>The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. <a href="/lsb/acts/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and they sent this letter by them, “The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to the brothers in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. <a href="/amp/acts/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a> With them they sent the following letter: “The apostles and the brothers who are the elders, to the brothers and sisters who are from the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, Greetings. <a href="/csb/acts/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They wrote: “From the apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers and sisters among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. <a href="/hcsb/acts/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They wrote this letter to be delivered by them: From the apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. <a href="/asv/acts/15.htm">American Standard Version</a> and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: <a href="/cev/acts/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They wrote a letter that said: We apostles and leaders send friendly greetings to all of you Gentiles who are followers of the Lord in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. <a href="/erv/acts/15.htm">English Revised Version</a> and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elder brethren unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: <a href="/gwt/acts/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They wrote this letter for them to deliver: From the apostles and the spiritual leaders, your brothers. To their non-Jewish brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Dear brothers and sisters, <a href="/gnt/acts/15.htm">Good News Translation</a> and they sent the following letter by them: "We, the apostles and the elders, your brothers, send greetings to all our brothers of Gentile birth who live in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. <a href="/isv/acts/15.htm">International Standard Version</a> They wrote this letter for them to deliver: "From: The apostles and the elders, your brothers To: Their gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings. <a href="/msb/acts/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. <a href="/net/acts/15.htm">NET Bible</a> They sent this letter with them: From the apostles and elders, your brothers, to the Gentile brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, greetings! <a href="/nheb/acts/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They wrote these things by their hand: "The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the non-Jewish brothers who are in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings. <a href="/wbt/acts/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles, and elders, and brethren, send greeting to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia. <a href="/wey/acts/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and they took with them the following letter: "The Apostles and the elder brethren send greeting to the Gentile brethren throughout Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. <a href="/web/acts/15.htm">World English Bible</a> They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> having written through their hand thus: “The apostles, and the elders, and the brothers, to those in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, brothers, who [are] of the nations, greeting; <a href="/blb/acts/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> having written by their hand: "The apostles and the elders, brothers, To those brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. <a href="/ylt/acts/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> having written through their hand thus: 'The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to those in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, brethren, who are of the nations, greeting; <a href="/slt/acts/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Having written by their hand thus; The sent and elders and brethren to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia from the nations, health:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Writing by their hands: The apostles and ancients, brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles that are at Antioch, and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting. <a href="/cpdv/acts/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> what was written by their own hands: “The Apostles and elders, brothers, to those who are at Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, brothers from the Gentiles, greetings. <a href="/nabre/acts/15.htm">New American Bible</a> This is the letter delivered by them: “The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the believers of Gentile origin in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they wrote a letter and sent it by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren to the brethren of the Gentiles in An’ti-och and Sy’ria and Ci-li’ci-a, greetings. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And they wrote an epistle by their hands thus: “The Apostles and Elders and the brethren, to those who are in Antiakia and in Syria and in Qiliqia, brethren who are of the Gentiles, peace.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> and they wrote by their hands as follows:<CM>The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: <a href="/godbey/acts/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> having written through their hand; The apostles and elders, brethren to the brethren who are from the Gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia greeting. <a href="/haweis/acts/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> writing a letter by their hand, in these words:<CM>The apostles and presbyters and the brethren, to the brethren from among the Gentiles which are at Antioch, and in Syria, and Cilicia, greeting: <a href="/mace/acts/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a> whom they charg'd with this letter. The apostles, the presbyters, and the brethren, to the Gentile brethren at Antioch, in Syria, and Cilicia, send greeting. <a href="/wey/acts/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and they took with them the following letter: "The Apostles and the elder brethren send greeting to the Gentile brethren throughout Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. <a href="/worrell/acts/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> having written through their hand thus: "The apostles, and the elders, brethren, to the brethren from the gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: <a href="/worsley/acts/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and they wrote by their hand, as follows, The apostles and elders and brethren here to the Gentile brethren which are in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, send greeting. <a href="/parallel/acts/15-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=5034" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm">The Letter to the Gentile Believers</a> 22Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among the brothers, 23<a href="/greek/1125.htm" title="1125: grapsantes (V-APA-NMP) -- A primary verb; to grave, especially to write; figuratively, to describe.">and sent them with</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/5495.htm" title="5495: cheiros (N-GFS) -- A hand. ">this letter:</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">The</a> <a href="/greek/652.htm" title="652: apostoloi (N-NMP) -- From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.">apostles</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4245.htm" title="4245: presbyteroi (Adj-NMP-C) -- Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian presbyter.">elders,</a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphoi (N-NMP) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">your brothers,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Tois (Art-DMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">To the</a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphois (N-DMP) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brothers</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ex (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">among</a> <a href="/greek/1484.htm" title="1484: ethnōn (N-GNP) -- Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.">the Gentiles</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/490.htm" title="490: Antiocheian (N-AFS) -- From Antiochus; Antiochia, a place in Syria.">Antioch,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/4947.htm" title="4947: Syrian (N-AFS) -- Syria, a great Roman imperial province, united with Cilicia. Probably of Hebrew origin; Syria, a region of Asia.">Syria,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2791.htm" title="2791: Kilikian (N-AFS) -- Probably of foreign origin; Cilicia, a region of Asia Minor.">Cilicia:</a> <a href="/greek/5463.htm" title="5463: Chairein (V-PNA) -- A primary verb; to be cheer ful, i.e. Calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation, be well.">Greetings.</a> 24It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Acts 15:1-2</a> Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” / And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. <a href="/acts/11-1.htm">Acts 11:1-18</a> The apostles and brothers throughout Judea soon heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. / So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him / and said, “You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them.” ... <a href="/acts/21-25.htm">Acts 21:25</a> As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.” <a href="/galatians/2-1.htm">Galatians 2:1-10</a> Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also. / I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain. / Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. ... <a href="/acts/10-34.htm">Acts 10:34-48</a> Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, / but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. / He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. ... <a href="/acts/13-1.htm">Acts 13:1-3</a> Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. / While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. <a href="/acts/14-27.htm">Acts 14:27-28</a> When they arrived, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. / And they spent a long time there with the disciples. <a href="/acts/16-4.htm">Acts 16:4-5</a> As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. / So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. <a href="/acts/9-15.htm">Acts 9:15</a> “Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel. <a href="/acts/22-21.htm">Acts 22:21</a> Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” <a href="/acts/26-17.htm">Acts 26:17-18</a> I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them / to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’ <a href="/romans/15-18.htm">Romans 15:18-19</a> I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, / by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-19.htm">1 Corinthians 9:19-23</a> Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. / To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law. / To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law. ... <a href="/ephesians/3-6.htm">Ephesians 3:6-8</a> This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus. / I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power. / Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, <a href="/isaiah/49-6.htm">Isaiah 49:6</a> He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brothers send greeting to the brothers which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.The apostles.<a href="/acts/15-4.htm">Acts 15:4,22</a> And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them… greeting.<a href="/acts/23-26.htm">Acts 23:26</a> Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.<a href="/romans/16-3.htm">Romans 16:3</a> Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:<a href="/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.brethren.<a href="/acts/11-18.htm">Acts 11:18</a> When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.<a href="/acts/14-27.htm">Acts 14:27</a> And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.<a href="/acts/21-25.htm">Acts 21:25</a> As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.Syria.<a href="/acts/15-41.htm">Acts 15:41</a> And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.<a href="/acts/18-18.htm">Acts 18:18</a> And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.<a href="/acts/21-3.htm">Acts 21:3</a> Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/15-22.htm">Antioch</a> <a href="/acts/15-22.htm">Apostles</a> <a href="/acts/6-9.htm">Cilicia</a> <a href="/galatians/1-21.htm">Cili'cia</a> <a href="/luke/15-25.htm">Elder</a> <a href="/acts/15-22.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/acts/13-42.htm">Following</a> <a href="/acts/15-5.htm">Gentile</a> <a href="/acts/15-19.htm">Gentiles</a> <a href="/luke/1-44.htm">Greeting</a> <a href="/john/14-27.htm">Greetings</a> <a href="/acts/13-16.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/acts/15-3.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/acts/9-2.htm">Letters</a> <a href="/acts/15-11.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/acts/15-19.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/john/8-9.htm">Older</a> <a href="/luke/2-2.htm">Syria</a> <a href="/acts/14-24.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/acts/15-20.htm">Written</a> <a href="/acts/1-1.htm">Wrote</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/15-30.htm">Antioch</a> <a href="/acts/15-33.htm">Apostles</a> <a href="/acts/15-41.htm">Cilicia</a> <a href="/acts/15-41.htm">Cili'cia</a> <a href="/romans/9-12.htm">Elder</a> <a href="/acts/16-4.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/acts/15-28.htm">Following</a> <a href="/acts/21-25.htm">Gentile</a> <a href="/acts/17-17.htm">Gentiles</a> <a href="/acts/21-7.htm">Greeting</a> <a href="/acts/15-33.htm">Greetings</a> <a href="/acts/19-33.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/acts/16-34.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/acts/18-27.htm">Letters</a> <a href="/acts/17-2.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/acts/17-26.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/romans/9-12.htm">Older</a> <a href="/acts/15-41.htm">Syria</a> <a href="/acts/16-6.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/acts/21-25.htm">Written</a> <a href="/acts/18-27.htm">Wrote</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 15</div>1. <a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Great dissensions arise regarding circumcision.</a> 5. <a href="/acts/15-5.htm">The apostles consult about it,</a> 22. <a href="/acts/15-22.htm">and send their determination by letters to the churches.</a> 36. <a href="/acts/15-36.htm">Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brothers together, </a> 39. <a href="/acts/15-39.htm">disagree, and travel different ways.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>and sent them with this letter: The early church often communicated through letters, a common practice in the ancient world for conveying important messages. This letter was a formal declaration from the Jerusalem Council, addressing a significant theological issue. The sending of a letter highlights the importance of written communication in maintaining doctrinal unity and providing guidance to distant congregations.The apostles and the elders, your brothers, The apostles and elders were the recognized leaders of the early church, responsible for teaching and maintaining doctrinal purity. Their designation as "brothers" emphasizes the familial relationship within the Christian community, underscoring equality and unity among believers. This reflects the early church's structure, where leadership was based on spiritual authority rather than hierarchical power.To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Antioch was a major center of early Christianity and the location of the first Gentile church. It was in Antioch that believers were first called Christians. Syria and Cilicia were regions with significant Gentile populations, indicating the spread of the Gospel beyond Jewish communities. This phrase highlights the church's mission to include Gentiles, fulfilling the Great Commission and reflecting the inclusive nature of the Gospel.Greetings. The use of "greetings" is a typical opening in ancient letters, reflecting a common cultural practice. It conveys goodwill and establishes a tone of fellowship and peace. This salutation sets the stage for the letter's content, which aims to resolve conflict and promote unity within the diverse body of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/apostles_and_elders.htm">Apostles and Elders</a> The leaders of the early Christian church in Jerusalem, responsible for guiding the church and making doctrinal decisions. 2. <a href="/topical/g/gentile_believers.htm">Gentile Believers</a> Non-Jewish converts to Christianity, who were the recipients of the letter. Their inclusion in the church was a significant issue at the time. 3. <a href="/topical/a/antioch.htm">Antioch</a> A major city in ancient Syria, known for being a center of early Christianity and the location where believers were first called Christians. 4. <a href="/topical/s/syria_and_cilicia.htm">Syria and Cilicia</a> Regions where many Gentile believers lived. The letter was addressed to these areas to clarify the church's stance on Gentile inclusion. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem_council.htm">Jerusalem Council</a> The meeting of church leaders in Jerusalem to discuss and resolve the issue of whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish law, particularly circumcision.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a> The early church's decision to include Gentiles without requiring them to follow Jewish law demonstrates the importance of unity in diversity within the body of Christ. <a href="/topical/a/authority_and_submission.htm">Authority and Submission</a> The apostles and elders exercised their authority to guide the church, and the believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia were called to submit to their leadership. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_sensitivity.htm">Cultural Sensitivity</a> The letter reflects a sensitivity to cultural differences, acknowledging the unique backgrounds of Gentile believers while maintaining core Christian doctrine. <a href="/topical/c/conflict_resolution.htm">Conflict Resolution</a> The Jerusalem Council serves as a model for resolving doctrinal disputes through discussion, prayer, and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. <a href="/topical/m/mission_and_evangelism.htm">Mission and Evangelism</a> The inclusion of Gentiles highlights the church's mission to reach all nations with the gospel, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 15</a> <a href="/q/purpose_of_the_jerusalem_council.htm">What was the purpose of the Jerusalem Council?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_witness_for_christ_effectively.htm">How can I effectively witness for Christ?</a> <a href="/q/how_are_syria_and_aram_linked_biblically.htm">What is the biblical connection between Syria and Aram?</a> <a href="/q/why_are_some_ot_laws_still_needed.htm">Acts 15:7–9 – If God supposedly made no distinction between Jews and Gentiles, why do some Old Testament laws still appear necessary in the letter? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) And they wrote letters by them.--Literally, wrote letters by their hands. What follows, unless we assume a deliberate fraud, is clearly the transcript of a document--the first in the long list of decrees and canons and encyclical letters which mark the Church's history.The apostles and elders and brethren.--The MSS. present a singular variation of readings, some of the earliest omitting the conjunction and article before the last noun, and giving "the Apostles and elders, brethren." Such a mode of speech, however, is foreign to the usage of the New Testament, and it is probable that this reading originated in a desire to bring the text into harmony with the later practice of the Church, which excluded the laity from all participation in its synods. (See Note on <a href="/acts/15-22.htm" title="Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brothers:">Acts 15:22</a>.)Send greeting.--Literally, wish joy. The formula was common in Greek epistles, but is not used in the New Testament, except here and in <a href="/james/1-1.htm" title="James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.">James 1:1</a>. As it is reasonable to suppose that this letter was written or dictated by him, its occurrence is prima facie evidence of the authorship of the Epistle that bears his name, and which, on the view taken in these Notes, had been already written to the Church of the Circumcision.Unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles.--The letter was therefore addressed to them exclusively (see Note on <a href="/acts/15-20.htm" title="But that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.">Acts 15:20</a>), as the Epistle of St. James had probably been previously addressed to the Jews of the "dispersion," and not to the Gentiles.In Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.--The mention of the latter country is important as showing the extent of St. Paul's work there prior to his joining Barnabas at Antioch (<a href="/acts/11-25.htm" title="Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:">Acts 11:25</a>). There also he had founded churches in which Gentile converts were admitted as such to full communion. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - Wrote thus by them for wrote letters by them after this manner, A.V.; the elder brethren for elders and brethren, A.V.; unto... greeting for send greeting unto, etc., A.V., as <a href="/acts/23-26.htm">Acts 23:26</a>. The elder brethren, etc. The grammar of the sentence is irregular, as there is nothing for γράψαντες to agree with. But "the elder brethren" is a phrase unknown to the Scriptures, and it is much more in accordance with the feeling of the times that "the brethren," i.e. the whole Church, should be included in the salutation. Greeting. It is remarkable that the only other place in the New Testament where this Greek salutation occurs is <a href="/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1</a>. <a href="/commentaries/acts/15-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[and sent them with] γράψαντες (grapsantes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1125.htm">Strong's 1125: </a> A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe. this letter: χειρὸς (cheiros) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5495.htm">Strong's 5495: </a> A hand. “The Οἱ (Hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. apostles ἀπόστολοι (apostoloi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_652.htm">Strong's 652: </a> From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. elders, πρεσβύτεροι (presbyteroi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural - Comparative <a href="/greek/strongs_4245.htm">Strong's 4245: </a> Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian 'presbyter'. [your] brothers, ἀδελφοὶ (adelphoi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. To the Τοῖς (Tois) Article - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. brothers ἀδελφοῖς (adelphois) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. among ἐξ (ex) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. [the] Gentiles ἐθνῶν (ethnōn) Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1484.htm">Strong's 1484: </a> Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one. in κατὰ (kata) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). Antioch, Ἀντιόχειαν (Antiocheian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_490.htm">Strong's 490: </a> From Antiochus; Antiochia, a place in Syria. Syria, Συρίαν (Syrian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4947.htm">Strong's 4947: </a> Syria, a great Roman imperial province, united with Cilicia. Probably of Hebrew origin; Syria, a region of Asia. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. Cilicia: Κιλικίαν (Kilikian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2791.htm">Strong's 2791: </a> Probably of foreign origin; Cilicia, a region of Asia Minor. Greetings. Χαίρειν (Chairein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_5463.htm">Strong's 5463: </a> A primary verb; to be 'cheer'ful, i.e. Calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation, be well. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/15-23.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 15:23 They wrote these things by their hand: (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/15-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 15:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 15:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/15-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 15:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 15:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>