Acts 15:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 15:20

That we write unto them - Expressing our judgment, or our views of the case.That they abstain - That they refrain from these things, or wholly avoid them.Pollutions of idols - The word rendered “pollutions” means any kind of “defilement.” But here it is evidently used to denote the flesh of those animals that were offered in sacrifice to idols. See Acts 15:29. That flesh, after being offered in sacrifice, was often exposed for sale in the markets, or was served up at feasts, 1 Corinthians... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 15:19-21

Acts 15:19-21. Wherefore my sentence My judgment in this matter; is, that we trouble not With such observances as those now in question; them which from among the Gentiles The ignorant and idolatrous Gentiles; are turned unto God Are converted by divine grace to the knowledge and worship of the true God, and to obedience to his gospel. But that we write unto them, that they abstain from all things grossly scandalous, and particularly from pollutions of idols From every species of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 15:2-21

To Jerusalem to discuss the problem (15:2-21)The trouble created by the Judaisers had now spread to the farthermost parts of the church, so the matter needed to be settled quickly and decisively. Because the teaching came from Jerusalem, that was the place to discuss the matter. The church at Antioch therefore appointed Paul, Barnabas and other leaders to go to Jerusalem as its representatives. Along the way and after their arrival in Jerusalem, they reported on the widespread turning to God... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 15:20

write . Greek. epistello. Only here, Acts 21:25 .Hebrews 13:22 . abstain . Greek. mid. of apecho. This form occurs here, Act 15:29 . 1 Thessalonians 4:3 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:22 . 1 Timothy 4:3 . 1 Peter 2:11 . pollutions . Greek. alisgema. Only here. Pollution would be caused by eating unclean (forbidden) food. Compare Acts 15:29 . 1 Corinthians 8:0 . The verb alisgeo occurs in the Septuagint of Daniel 1:8 and Malachi 1:7 , Malachi 1:12 . fornication . In many cases the rites of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 15:19-21

Acts 15:19-21. Wherefore my sentence is, &c.— This passage, on which the critics have so much differed in sentiment, and written so much, may, I think, be thus paraphrased: "Wherefore I cannot but determine in my ownmind, and I doubt not but you will readily concur with me, that we ought not to disquiet those who from among the Gentiles are converted by divine grace to the knowledge and worship of the true God, and to obedience to the gospel, with such observances as those now in question;... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 15:20

20. But . . . that they abstain from pollutions of idols—that is, things polluted by having been offered in sacrifice to idols. The heathen were accustomed to give away or sell portions of such animals. From such food James would enjoin the Gentile converts to abstain, lest it should seem to the Jews that they were not entirely weaned from idolatry. and from fornication—The characteristic sin of heathendom, unblushingly practiced by all ranks and classes, and the indulgence of which on the part... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 15:1-35

5. The Jerusalem Council 15:1-35The increasing number of Gentiles who were becoming Christians raised a problem within the church. What was the relationship of the church to Judaism? Some Christians, especially the more conservative Jewish believers, argued that Christianity was a party within Judaism, the party of true believers. They assumed that Gentile Christians, therefore, needed to become Jewish proselytes, which involved being circumcised and obeying the Mosaic Law."In truth, there was... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 15:13-21

James’ testimony 15:13-21 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 15:20

To help Gentile converts not put a stumbling block in the path of Jews, James recommended that Christian teachers encourage their disciples to avoid four things. By the way, Acts presents the apostles as more effective at conflict resolution than the Sanhedrin, and James as a better problem solver than Gamaliel. Filling (control) by the Holy Spirit accounts for these differences. These four things were, first, the things (food, etc.) associated with idolatry (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:14-22), and,... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Acts 15:20

15:20 blood. (f-22) Or 'and of fornication, and of what is strangled, and of blood.' read more

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