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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> Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. <a href="/nlt/acts/15.htm">New Living Translation</a> Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood. <a href="/esv/acts/15.htm">English Standard Version</a> but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. <a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood. <a href="/blb/acts/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and sexual immorality, and that which is strangled, and from blood. <a href="/kjv/acts/15.htm">King James Bible</a> But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. <a href="/nkjv/acts/15.htm">New King James Version</a> but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. <a href="/nasb_/acts/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols, from acts of sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood. <a href="/nasb/acts/15.htm">NASB 1995</a> but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. <a href="/nasb77/acts/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a> but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. <a href="/lsb/acts/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from sexual immorality and from what is strangled and from blood. <a href="/amp/acts/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a> but that we write to them that they are to abstain from anything that has been contaminated by [being offered to] idols and from sexual impurity and from [eating the meat of] what has been strangled and from [the consumption of] blood. <a href="/csb/acts/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood. <a href="/hcsb/acts/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood. <a href="/asv/acts/15.htm">American Standard Version</a> but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. <a href="/cev/acts/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> We should simply write and tell them not to eat anything that has been offered to idols. They should be told not to eat the meat of any animal that has been strangled or that still has blood in it. They must also not commit any terrible sexual sins. <a href="/erv/acts/15.htm">English Revised Version</a> but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. <a href="/gwt/acts/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Instead, we should write a letter telling them to keep away from things polluted by false gods, from sexual sins, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from eating bloody meat. <a href="/gnt/acts/15.htm">Good News Translation</a> Instead, we should write a letter telling them not to eat any food that is ritually unclean because it has been offered to idols; to keep themselves from sexual immorality; and not to eat any animal that has been strangled, or any blood. <a href="/isv/acts/15.htm">International Standard Version</a> Instead, we should write to them to keep away from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from anything strangled, and from blood. 21 <a href="/msb/acts/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood. <a href="/net/acts/15.htm">NET Bible</a> but that we should write them a letter telling them to abstain from things defiled by idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood. <a href="/nheb/acts/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> but that we write to them that they abstain from things defiled by idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. <a href="/wbt/acts/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But that we write to them that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from lewdness, and from things strangled, and from blood. <a href="/wey/acts/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Yet let us send them written instructions to abstain from things polluted by connexion with idolatry, from fornication, from meat killed by strangling, and from blood. <a href="/web/acts/15.htm">World English Bible</a> but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> but to write to them to abstain from the defilements of the idols, and the whoredom, and the strangled thing, and the blood; <a href="/blb/acts/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and sexual immorality, and that which is strangled, and from blood. <a href="/ylt/acts/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols, and the whoredom, and the strangled thing; and the blood; <a href="/slt/acts/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> But to send to them, to keep off from pollutions of images, and harlotry, and strangulation, and blood.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But that we write unto them, that they refrain themselves from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. <a href="/cpdv/acts/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> but instead that we write to them, that they should keep themselves from the defilement of idols, and from fornication, and from whatever has been suffocated, and from blood. <a href="/nabre/acts/15.htm">New American Bible</a> but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But let us send word to them that they abstain from defilement by sacrifices to idols, and from fornication, and from animals strangled, and from blood. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “But let it be sent to them that they separate from the defilement of sacrifices and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> but that we write to them to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from lewdness, and from what is strangled, and from blood. <a href="/godbey/acts/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> but to command them to abstain from things offered to idols, and from fornication, and from strangulation, and from blood. <a href="/haweis/acts/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> but that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idol sacrifices, and from whoredom, and from what is strangled, and from blood. <a href="/mace/acts/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a> that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, from fornication, from animals that are strangled, and from their blood. <a href="/wey/acts/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Yet let us send them written instructions to abstain from things polluted by connexion with idolatry, from fornication, from meat killed by strangling, and from blood. <a href="/worrell/acts/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> but that we write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from anything strangled, and from blood; <a href="/worsley/acts/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. <a href="/parallel/acts/15-20.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=4997" 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 Council at Jerusalem</a> …19It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20<a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">Instead,</a> <a href="/greek/1989.htm" title="1989: episteilai (V-ANA) -- To write, send by letter to. From epi and stello; to enjoin, i.e. to communicate by letter.">we should write</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">and tell them</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/568.htm" title="568: apechesthai (V-PNM) -- To have in full, be far, it is enough. From apo and echo; to have out, i.e. Receive in full; to keep away, i.e. Be distant.">to abstain from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">food</a> <a href="/greek/234.htm" title="234: alisgēmatōn (N-GNP) -- Pollution, perhaps a polluted thing (especially of food). From alisgeo; defilement.">polluted</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1497.htm" title="1497: eidōlōn (N-GNP) -- An idol, false god. From eidos; an image; by implication, a heathen god, or the worship of such.">by idols,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4202.htm" title="4202: porneias (N-GFS) -- Fornication, whoredom; met: idolatry. From porneuo; harlotry; figuratively, idolatry.">sexual immorality,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- 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/4156.htm" title="4156: pniktou (Adj-GNS) -- Strangled (i.e. killed without letting out the blood). From pnigo; throttled, i.e. an animal choked to death.">meat of strangled animals,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">from</a> <a href="/greek/129.htm" title="129: haimatos (N-GNS) -- Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.">blood.</a> 21For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”…<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="/leviticus/17-10.htm">Leviticus 17:10-14</a> If anyone from the house of Israel or a foreigner living among them eats any blood, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from among his people. / For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. / Therefore I say to the Israelites, ‘None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner living among you eat blood.’ ... <a href="/leviticus/18-6.htm">Leviticus 18:6-30</a> None of you are to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD. / You must not expose the nakedness of your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; you must not have sexual relations with her. / You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father. ... <a href="/leviticus/19-26.htm">Leviticus 19:26</a> You must not eat anything with blood still in it. You must not practice divination or sorcery. <a href="/leviticus/20-1.htm">Leviticus 20:1-27</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Tell the Israelites, ‘Any Israelite or foreigner living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death. The people of the land are to stone him. / And I will set My face against that man and cut him off from his people, because by giving his offspring to Molech, he has defiled My sanctuary and profaned My holy name. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">Deuteronomy 12:16</a> but you must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-23.htm">Deuteronomy 12:23-25</a> Only be sure not to eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. / You must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water. / Do not eat it, so that it may go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is right in the eyes of the LORD. <a href="/deuteronomy/14-3.htm">Deuteronomy 14:3-21</a> You must not eat any detestable thing. / These are the animals that you may eat: The ox, the sheep, the goat, / the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/18-9.htm">Deuteronomy 18:9-14</a> When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. / Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. ... <a href="/ezekiel/18-6.htm">Ezekiel 18:6</a> He does not eat at the mountain or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman during her period. <a href="/ezekiel/22-9.htm">Ezekiel 22:9-11</a> Among you are slanderous men bent on bloodshed; within you are those who eat on the mountain shrines and commit acts of indecency. / In you they have uncovered the nakedness of their fathers; in you they violate women during their menstrual impurity. / One man commits an abomination with his neighbor’s wife; another wickedly defiles his daughter-in-law; and yet another violates his sister, his own father’s daughter. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-11</a> Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. / And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. <a href="/1_corinthians/8-1.htm">1 Corinthians 8:1-13</a> Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. / The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. / But the one who loves God is known by God. ... <a href="/1_corinthians/10-19.htm">1 Corinthians 10:19-28</a> Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too. ... <a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14-18</a> Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ... <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a> The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.from pollutions.<a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Acts 15:29</a> That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.<a href="/genesis/35-2.htm">Genesis 35:2</a> Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-5,23</a> Thou shalt have no other gods before me… fornication.<a href="/1_corinthians/5-11.htm">1 Corinthians 5:11</a> But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.<a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9,13,18</a> Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, … <a href="/1_corinthians/7-2.htm">1 Corinthians 7:2</a> Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.things.<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.<a href="/genesis/9-4.htm">Genesis 9:4</a> But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.<a href="/leviticus/3-17.htm">Leviticus 3:17</a> It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/zechariah/7-3.htm">Abstain</a> <a href="/acts/11-6.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/acts/5-28.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/acts/13-36.htm">Body</a> <a href="/acts/14-26.htm">Connexion</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-40.htm">Contaminated</a> <a href="/acts/13-28.htm">Death</a> <a href="/john/8-44.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/acts/14-2.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/acts/13-10.htm">False.</a> <a href="/acts/12-23.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/acts/14-23.htm">Food</a> <a href="/john/8-41.htm">Fornication</a> <a href="/acts/14-11.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-9.htm">Idolatry</a> <a href="/acts/7-43.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/john/8-41.htm">Immorality</a> <a href="/acts/7-39.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/luke/22-8.htm">Instructions</a> <a href="/acts/13-28.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/mark/7-22.htm">Lewdness</a> <a href="/acts/9-19.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/acts/13-38.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/acts/10-48.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/malachi/1-12.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-10.htm">Pollution</a> <a href="/ezra/6-21.htm">Pollutions</a> <a href="/john/8-41.htm">Sexual</a> <a href="/nahum/2-12.htm">Strangled</a> <a href="/matthew/18-28.htm">Strangling</a> <a href="/acts/15-12.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/matthew/19-9.htm">Unchastity</a> <a href="/acts/14-16.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/john/19-21.htm">Write</a> <a href="/acts/15-15.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Abstain</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Body</a> <a href="/acts/19-40.htm">Connexion</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-47.htm">Contaminated</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Death</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/romans/1-25.htm">False.</a> <a href="/romans/1-3.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Food</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Fornication</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/acts/17-16.htm">Idolatry</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Immorality</a> <a href="/acts/25-19.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/acts/19-33.htm">Instructions</a> <a href="/acts/16-27.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Lewdness</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Offered</a> <a href="/acts/16-18.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/acts/21-28.htm">Polluted</a> <a href="/job/27-5.htm">Pollution</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-20.htm">Pollutions</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Sexual</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Strangled</a> <a href="/job/7-15.htm">Strangling</a> <a href="/acts/15-27.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Unchastity</a> <a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/acts/25-26.htm">Write</a> <a href="/acts/15-23.htm">Written</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>Instead, we should write and tell them The early church faced a significant challenge in integrating Gentile believers with Jewish Christians. The Jerusalem Council, led by apostles and elders, decided to send a letter to Gentile believers to address this issue. This phrase indicates a decision to communicate clearly and authoritatively, emphasizing the importance of unity and guidance from church leadership.to abstain from food polluted by idols In the Greco-Roman world, idol worship was prevalent, and food offered to idols was a common practice. Abstaining from such food was crucial to avoid participating in idolatry, which was strictly forbidden in Jewish law (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-5</a>). This directive aimed to prevent Gentile Christians from being associated with pagan rituals and to maintain a clear distinction from idolatrous practices.from sexual immorality Sexual immorality was rampant in the pagan cultures surrounding the early church. The Greek word used here, "porneia," encompasses various forms of illicit sexual behavior. This command aligns with the moral teachings found throughout Scripture, such as in <a href="/leviticus/18.htm">Leviticus 18</a> and <a href="/1_corinthians/6-18.htm">1 Corinthians 6:18-20</a>, emphasizing the call to holiness and purity for believers.from the meat of strangled animals Jewish dietary laws, as outlined in <a href="/leviticus/17-13.htm">Leviticus 17:13-14</a>, prohibited consuming blood, which included meat from strangled animals since the blood was not properly drained. This instruction was given to respect Jewish sensibilities and promote fellowship between Jewish and Gentile Christians, ensuring that Gentile believers did not offend their Jewish brethren.and from blood The prohibition against consuming blood dates back to <a href="/genesis/9-4.htm">Genesis 9:4</a>, where God commanded Noah not to eat flesh with its lifeblood still in it. This command was reiterated in the Mosaic Law and was significant for maintaining ritual purity. For the early church, this directive served to uphold a standard that would facilitate unity and respect between Jewish and Gentile believers, reflecting the continuity of God's moral law.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a> The leader of the Jerusalem church who proposed the decision to write to the Gentile believers, advising them on certain practices. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem_council.htm">Jerusalem Council</a> A significant meeting of early church leaders in Jerusalem to discuss the requirements for Gentile converts. 3. <a href="/topical/g/gentile_believers.htm">Gentile Believers</a> Non-Jewish converts to Christianity who were the recipients of the letter from the Jerusalem Council. 4. <a href="/topical/a/antioch.htm">Antioch</a> The city where the letter was sent, a major center of early Christianity and a diverse church community. 5. <a href="/topical/p/paul_and_barnabas.htm">Paul and Barnabas</a> Apostles who were present at the council and played a key role in advocating for the Gentile believers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/cultural_sensitivity_and_unity.htm">Cultural Sensitivity and Unity</a> The decision of the Jerusalem Council highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity and unity within the church. While the Gentiles were not bound by the full Mosaic Law, they were asked to respect certain practices to maintain fellowship with Jewish believers. <a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_purity.htm">Holiness and Purity</a> The prohibitions against sexual immorality and consuming blood or strangled animals emphasize the call to holiness and purity in the Christian life. These practices were associated with pagan rituals and idolatry, which believers were to avoid. <a href="/topical/f/freedom_and_responsibility.htm">Freedom and Responsibility</a> While Christians have freedom in Christ, this freedom comes with the responsibility to act in love and consideration for others, avoiding actions that might cause others to stumble in their faith. <a href="/topical/c/continuity_and_change.htm">Continuity and Change</a> The early church navigated the tension between continuity with Jewish traditions and the newness of the gospel message. This passage illustrates how the church discerned which aspects of the law were essential for all believers.<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/what_does_the_bible_say_on_idol_food.htm">What does the Bible say about food offered to idols?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_blood_transfusions.htm">What is the Bible's stance on blood transfusions?</a> <a href="/q/purpose_of_the_jerusalem_council.htm">What was the purpose of the Jerusalem Council?</a> <a href="/q/does_leviticus_3_17_conflict_with_science.htm">Does the strict prohibition against consuming blood (Leviticus 3:17) conflict with scientific findings and modern dietary practices?</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>(20) But that we write unto them.--The grounds on which the measure thus defined was proposed are not far to seek. (1) It was of the nature of a compromise. The Gentiles could not complain that the burden imposed on them was anything very grievous. The Pharisee section of the Church could not refuse admission to those who fulfilled these conditions, when they had admitted the proselytes of the gate on like conditions to their synagogues, and had so treated them as no longer unclean. (2) The rules on which stress was now laid found a place among the seven precepts traditionally ascribed to Noah, and based upon the commands recorded in <a href="/genesis/9-5.htm" title="And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.">Genesis 9:5</a>. These were held to be binding upon all mankind; while the Law, as such, was binding on Israel only. These, therefore, had been thought sufficient for the proselytes of the gate before, and were urged now as sufficient for the Gentile converts by the teacher who represented the most rigid type of Judaism. (See, once more, the history of Ananias and Izates in the Note on <a href="/acts/9-10.htm" title="And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.">Acts 9:10</a>.) Special reasons attached, as will be seen, to each precept.From pollutions of idols.--The Greek of the first noun is found only in the LXX. and the New Testament; and perhaps its primary idea is that of "wallowing" in blood and mire, and so incurring pollution. As distinguished from the acts that follow, it indicates any participation, publicly or privately, in idolatrous rites. One who acted on the rule would have to refrain from entering a temple, and to dislodge busts or statues of the gods from his house and gardens. The presence of such things, when they presented themselves on entering a house, was a great stumbling-block to devout Jews, and the Gentile convert who, left to himself, might have been disposed to keep them, though no longer as objects of worship, but as works of art, was required to renounce them. The statues of Zeus and Artemis and Hermes were to be to him henceforth as abominations. In the decree itself, however, we find "things sacrificed to idols" instead of the more general term, and we may accordingly deal here with that question also. So interpreted, the rule brings before us a new phase of the life of the early Christian converts. Under the religion of Greece and Rome, sacrifices were so common that it might fairly be taken for granted that the flesh at any festive meal had been so offered. But a small portion of the flesh was burnt upon the altar, and the rest was cooked for the household meal, or sent to the market for sale. Such meat was, in the eyes of the strict Jews, polluted, and the history of Daniel and his companions (<a href="/daniel/1-8.htm" title="But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.">Daniel 1:8</a>) was regarded as a precedent to avoiding it. Partly on this ground, partly on that referred to in the next Note but one, the Jew never bought meat in the market, nor of other than a Jewish butcher. He travelled with his cophinus, or basket, on his back, and carried his provisions with him. So Juvenal (Sat. iii. 14) speaks of--"Judaeis, quorum cophinus f?numque supellex."["Basket, and wisp of straw to serve as pillow,--That's the Jew's luggage."]Here, therefore, was a new stumbling-block, and the Gentile was required to avoid this also. It involved many sacrifices, and what would seem privations. The convert had to refuse invitations to birthday, and marriage, and funeral feasts; or, if present, to refuse to eat at them. A man with a sensitive conscience would refuse to partake of what was set before him in a private house or offered for sale in the market, unless he had satisfied himself that it had not so been offered. It was natural that this restriction, which did not rest directly on a moral ground, should give rise to some resistance, and the controversy connected with it assumed many different phases. At Corinth men claimed the right to eat what they chose, and St. Paul conceded the right in the abstract, but urged abstinence on the ground of charity (1 Corinthians 8-10.). At Pergamos and Thyatira, somewhat later in the apostolic age (<a href="/revelation/2-14.htm" title="But I have a few things against you, because you have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.">Revelation 2:14</a>; <a href="/revelation/2-20.htm" title="Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.">Revelation 2:20</a>), the lawfulness of eating things sacrificed to idols was openly maintained in contravention alike of the teaching of St. Paul and of the apostolic decree, and was joined with a like claim to be exempted from the law which forbade illicit sexual intercourse. At Corinth, it would seem from <a href="/1_corinthians/8-10.htm" title="For if any man see you which have knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;">1Corinthians 8:10</a>, the assertion of freedom had led men so far as not only to eat of the flesh that had been sacrificed, but actually to sit down to a feast in the idol's temple. (Comp. <a href="/romans/2-22.htm" title="You that say a man should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? you that abhor idols, do you commit sacrilege?">Romans 2:22</a>, as expressing the Jewish feeling.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - The pollutions for pollutions, A.V.; what is strangled for things strangled, A.V. The pollutions. In the decree itself (ver. 29) this is explained by εἰδωλοθύτων, things offered to idols, though some apply the "pollutions" to all the things here mentioned, not the idols only. Later St. Paul somewhat enlarged the liberty of Gentile converts in respect to meats offered to idols (see <a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4-13</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/10-25.htm">1 Corinthians 10:25-28</a>). What is strangled, etc. The things forbidden are all practices not looked upon as sins by Gentiles, but now enjoined upon them as portions of the Law of Moses which were to be binding upon them, at least for a time, with a view to their living in communion and fellowship with their Jewish brethren. The necessity for some of the prohibitions would cease when the condition of the Church as regards Jews and Gentiles was altered; others were of eternal obligation. <a href="/commentaries/acts/15-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Instead, ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. we should write ἐπιστεῖλαι (episteilai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1989.htm">Strong's 1989: </a> To write, send by letter to. From epi and stello; to enjoin, i.e. to communicate by letter. [ and tell] them αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. to abstain from ἀπέχεσθαι (apechesthai) Verb - Present Infinitive Middle <a href="/greek/strongs_568.htm">Strong's 568: </a> To have in full, be far, it is enough. From apo and echo; to have out, i.e. Receive in full; to keep away, i.e. Be distant. [ food ] τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Neuter 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. polluted ἀλισγημάτων (alisgēmatōn) Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_234.htm">Strong's 234: </a> Pollution, perhaps a polluted thing (especially of food). From alisgeo; defilement. by idols, εἰδώλων (eidōlōn) Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1497.htm">Strong's 1497: </a> An idol, false god. From eidos; an image; by implication, a heathen god, or the worship of such. [from] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. sexual immorality, πορνείας (porneias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4202.htm">Strong's 4202: </a> Fornication, whoredom; met: idolatry. From porneuo; harlotry; figuratively, idolatry. [from] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter Singular <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. meat of strangled animals, πνικτοῦ (pniktou) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4156.htm">Strong's 4156: </a> Strangled (i.e. killed without letting out the blood). From pnigo; throttled, i.e. an animal choked to death. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. from τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter Singular <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. blood. αἵματος (haimatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_129.htm">Strong's 129: </a> Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/15-20.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 15:20 But that we write to them that (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/15-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 15:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 15:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/15-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 15:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 15:21" /></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>