Acts · Byzantine Textform (Robinson-Pierpont 2018)

Acts 15 Byzantine Textform (Robinson-Pierpont 2018)

About RP2018

Scholarly edition
NT: Byzantine text
New Testament only
Original language
2018
Public domain

Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings

Notes on this text (1)

Romans 16:25–27 stands after 14:23 (as 14:24–26), as in most Byzantine manuscripts.

RP2018 Byzantine Textform (Robinson-Pierpont 2018)

WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)

1 και τινεσ κατελθοντεσ απο τησ ιουδαιασ εδιδασκον τουσ αδελφουσ οτι εαν μη περιτεμνησθε τω εθει μωυσεωσ ου δυνασθε σωθηναι

1 Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.”

2 γενομενησ ουν στασεωσ και ζητησεωσ ουκ ολιγησ τω παυλω και τω βαρναβα προσ αυτουσ εταξαν αναβαινειν παυλον και βαρναβαν και τινασ αλλουσ εξ αυτων προσ τουσ αποστολουσ και πρεσβυτερουσ εισ ιερουσαλημ περι του ζητηματοσ τουτου

2 Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul, Barnabas, and some others of them to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

3 οι μεν ουν προπεμφθεντεσ υπο τησ εκκλησιασ διηρχοντο την φοινικην και σαμαρειαν εκδιηγουμενοι την επιστροφην των εθνων και εποιουν χαραν μεγαλην πασιν τοισ αδελφοισ

3 They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.

4 παραγενομενοι δε εισ ιερουσαλημ απεδεχθησαν υπο τησ εκκλησιασ και των αποστολων και των πρεσβυτερων ανηγγειλαν τε οσα ο θεοσ εποιησεν μετ αυτων

4 When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done with them.

5 εξανεστησαν δε τινεσ των απο τησ αιρεσεωσ των φαρισαιων πεπιστευκοτεσ λεγοντεσ οτι δει περιτεμνειν αυτουσ παραγγελλειν τε τηρειν τον νομον μωυσεωσ

5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

6 συνηχθησαν δε οι αποστολοι και οι πρεσβυτεροι ιδειν περι του λογου τουτου

6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.

7 πολλησ δε συζητησεωσ γενομενησ αναστασ πετροσ ειπεν προσ αυτουσ ανδρεσ αδελφοι υμεισ επιστασθε οτι αφ ημερων αρχαιων ο θεοσ εν ημιν εξελεξατο δια του στοματοσ μου ακουσαι τα εθνη τον λογον του ευαγγελιου και πιστευσαι

7 When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News and believe.

8 και ο καρδιογνωστησ θεοσ εμαρτυρησεν αυτοισ δουσ αυτοισ το πνευμα το αγιον καθωσ και ημιν

8 God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.

9 και ουδεν διεκρινεν μεταξυ ημων τε και αυτων τη πιστει καθαρισασ τασ καρδιασ αυτων

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

10 νυν ουν τι πειραζετε τον θεον επιθειναι ζυγον επι τον τραχηλον των μαθητων ον ουτε οι πατερεσ ημων ουτε ημεισ ισχυσαμεν βαστασαι

10 Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 αλλα δια τησ χαριτοσ του κυριου ιησου πιστευομεν σωθηναι καθ ον τροπον κακεινοι

11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”

12 εσιγησεν δε παν το πληθοσ και ηκουον βαρναβα και παυλου εξηγουμενων οσα εποιησεν ο θεοσ σημεια και τερατα εν τοισ εθνεσιν δι αυτων

12 All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.

13 μετα δε το σιγησαι αυτουσ απεκριθη ιακωβοσ λεγων ανδρεσ αδελφοι ακουσατε μου

13 After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me.

14 συμεων εξηγησατο καθωσ πρωτον ο θεοσ επεσκεψατο λαβειν εξ εθνων λαον επι τω ονοματι αυτου

14 Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name.

15 και τουτω συμφωνουσιν οι λογοι των προφητων καθωσ γεγραπται

15 This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

16 ◆ μετα ταυτα αναστρεψω και ανοικοδομησω την σκηνην δαυιδ την πεπτωκυιαν και τα κατεσκαμμενα αυτησ ανοικοδομησω και ανορθωσω αυτην

16 ‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up

17 ◆ οπωσ αν εκζητησωσιν οι καταλοιποι των ανθρωπων τον κυριον και παντα τα εθνη εφ ουσ επικεκληται το ονομα μου επ αυτουσ λεγει κυριοσ ο ποιων ταυτα παντα

17 that the rest of men may seek after the Lord: all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.’

18 γνωστα απ αιωνοσ εστιν τω θεω παντα τα εργα αυτου

18 “All of God’s works are known to him from eternity.

19 διο εγω κρινω μη παρενοχλειν τοισ απο των εθνων επιστρεφουσιν επι τον θεον

19 Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,

20 αλλα επιστειλαι αυτοισ του απεχεσθαι απο των αλισγηματων των ειδωλων και τησ πορνειασ και του πνικτου και του αιματοσ

20 but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

21 μωυσησ γαρ εκ γενεων αρχαιων κατα πολιν τουσ κηρυσσοντασ αυτον εχει εν ταισ συναγωγαισ κατα παν σαββατον αναγινωσκομενοσ

21 For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

22 τοτε εδοξεν τοισ αποστολοισ και τοισ πρεσβυτεροισ συν ολη τη εκκλησια εκλεξαμενουσ ανδρασ εξ αυτων πεμψαι εισ αντιοχειαν συν παυλω και βαρναβα ιουδαν τον επικαλουμενον βαρσαββαν και σιλαν ανδρασ ηγουμενουσ εν τοισ αδελφοισ

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.

23 γραψαντεσ δια χειροσ αυτων ταδε οι αποστολοι και οι πρεσβυτεροι και οι αδελφοι τοισ κατα την αντιοχειαν και συριαν και κιλικιαν αδελφοισ τοισ εξ εθνων χαιρειν

23 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.

24 επειδη ηκουσαμεν οτι τινεσ εξ ημων εξελθοντεσ εταραξαν υμασ λογοισ ανασκευαζοντεσ τασ ψυχασ υμων λεγοντεσ περιτεμνεσθαι και τηρειν τον νομον οισ ου διεστειλαμεθα

24 Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment;

25 εδοξεν ημιν γενομενοισ ομοθυμαδον εκλεξαμενουσ ανδρασ πεμψαι προσ υμασ συν τοισ αγαπητοισ ημων βαρναβα και παυλω

25 it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26 ανθρωποισ παραδεδωκοσιν τασ ψυχασ αυτων υπερ του ονοματοσ του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου

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

27 απεσταλκαμεν ουν ιουδαν και σιλαν και αυτουσ δια λογου απαγγελλοντασ τα αυτα

27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.

28 εδοξεν γαρ τω αγιω πνευματι και ημιν μηδεν πλεον επιτιθεσθαι υμιν βαροσ πλην των επαναγκεσ τουτων

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:

29 απεχεσθαι ειδωλοθυτων και αιματοσ και πνικτου και πορνειασ εξ ων διατηρουντεσ εαυτουσ ευ πραξετε ερρωσθε

29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”

30 οι μεν ουν απολυθεντεσ ηλθον εισ αντιοχειαν και συναγαγοντεσ το πληθοσ επεδωκαν την επιστολην

30 So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

31 αναγνοντεσ δε εχαρησαν επι τη παρακλησει

31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.

32 ιουδασ τε και σιλασ και αυτοι προφηται οντεσ δια λογου πολλου παρεκαλεσαν τουσ αδελφουσ και επεστηριξαν

32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them.

33 ποιησαντεσ δε χρονον απελυθησαν μετ ειρηνησ απο των αδελφων προσ τουσ αποστολουσ

33 After they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brothers to the apostles.

34 Not in this translation

35 παυλοσ δε και βαρναβασ διετριβον εν αντιοχεια διδασκοντεσ και ευαγγελιζομενοι μετα και ετερων πολλων τον λογον του κυριου

35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36 μετα δε τινασ ημερασ ειπεν παυλοσ προσ βαρναβαν επιστρεψαντεσ δη επισκεψωμεθα τουσ αδελφουσ ημων κατα πασαν πολιν εν αισ κατηγγειλαμεν τον λογον του κυριου πωσ εχουσιν

36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”

37 βαρναβασ δε εβουλευσατο συμπαραλαβειν τον ιωαννην τον καλουμενον μαρκον

37 Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.

38 παυλοσ δε ηξιου τον αποσταντα απ αυτων απο παμφυλιασ και μη συνελθοντα αυτοισ εισ το εργον μη συμπαραλαβειν τουτον

38 But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work.

39 εγενετο ουν παροξυσμοσ ωστε αποχωρισθηναι αυτουσ απ αλληλων τον τε βαρναβαν παραλαβοντα τον μαρκον εκπλευσαι εισ κυπρον

39 Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,

40 παυλοσ δε επιλεξαμενοσ σιλαν εξηλθεν παραδοθεισ τη χαριτι του θεου υπο των αδελφων

40 but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.

41 διηρχετο δε την συριαν και κιλικιαν επιστηριζων τασ εκκλησιασ

41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.

People & places in this chapter

From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.

People

James
Jerusalem church leader
The Gospels name him first among Jesus' brothers (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3), and Paul calls him 'James, the Lord's brother' (Galatians 1:19); he led the church in Jerusalem and is…
Cited in the guide: Matthew 13:55; Acts 15; James 1:1
See in the family tree
John Mark
Companion of Paul and Barnabas
Son of Mary of Jerusalem, taken to Antioch by Paul and Barnabas; he left them early on the first journey, then went with Barnabas to Cyprus, and was later counted by Paul as…
Cited in the guide: Acts 12:12; Acts 12:25; Acts 15:37
See in the family tree
Judas Barsabbas
Jerusalem church leader
A leading man among the brothers sent with Paul, Barnabas and Silas to Antioch with the Jerusalem council's letter; he was also a prophet.
Cited in the guide: Acts 15:22; Acts 15:27; Acts 15:32
See in the family tree
Silas
Companion of Paul
A leading man among the brothers in Jerusalem and a prophet, chosen to accompany Paul on his second journey; he was imprisoned with Paul at Philippi and is elsewhere called…
Cited in the guide: Acts 15:22; Acts 15:40; Acts 16:25
See in the family tree

Places

Antioch (Syrian)
Today: Antakya, southern Turkey · On First Journey · On Second Journey · On Third Journey
The empire's third-largest city and the first major Gentile church — the launching base for Paul's journeys. (Distinct from Pisidian Antioch.)
Cited in the guide: Acts 11:26; Acts 13:1-3; Galatians 2:11
Bible map game · View on OpenStreetMap
Athens
Today: Greece · On Second Journey
The philosophical center of the Greco-Roman world. Paul engaged Stoic and Epicurean thinkers on Mars Hill (the Areopagus), reasoning toward the resurrection.
Cited in the guide: Acts 17:16; Acts 17:22
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Corinth
Today: Southern Greece (the isthmus) · On Second Journey · On Third Journey
Corinth straddled the isthmus linking mainland Greece to the Peloponnese — a hub of commerce and immorality. Paul founded the church here; a Roman bema traditionally linked to his hearing before…
Cited in the guide: Acts 18:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1
Bible map game · View on OpenStreetMap
Ephesus
Today: Western Turkey (Aegean coast) · On Second Journey · On Third Journey
The chief city of Roman Asia, famed for the temple of Artemis. Paul's long ministry sparked the silversmiths' riot; the city is also the first addressed in Revelation.
Cited in the guide: Acts 19:1; Acts 19:28; Revelation 2:1
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Philippi
Today: Northern Greece (Macedonia) · On Second Journey · On Third Journey
A Roman colony on the Via Egnatia and the site of Paul's first European converts — a beloved church to which he later wrote from prison.
Cited in the guide: Acts 16:12; Acts 16:25; Philippians 1:1
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Thessalonica
Today: Northern Greece (Macedonia) · On Second Journey
Capital of the Roman province of Macedonia and a key stop on the Via Egnatia. Paul's brief ministry produced a strong church and two of his earliest letters.
Cited in the guide: Acts 17:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Acts 17:6
Bible map game · View on OpenStreetMap
Berea
On Second Journey
Paul's journeys · View on OpenStreetMap
Troas
On Second Journey
Paul's journeys · View on OpenStreetMap

Cross references (40)

Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.

Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences

Why does my Bible say something different?

Amos 9:12 and Acts 15:17: “the remnant of Edom” or “the rest of mankind”?
In the Hebrew text of Amos 9:12, restored Israel will “possess the remnant of Edom.” In the Septuagint, “the remnant of men” will “seek” the Lord. At the Council of Jerusalem St James quotes the Greek form to show that God intended Gentiles to belong to his people (Acts 15:16–17). The two readings differ by letters that look and sound alike in Hebrew.

What the Fathers said

Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).

How these were chosen

“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).

Commentary 15:1 John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles (Homily XXXII)
Mark how at every step of the right progress in respect of the Gentiles, the beginning is brought in as matter of necessity.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 11 (1889)
Quotes verse 15:15–17 Augustine of Hippo, The City of God (Book XVIII, Chapters 26–29)
… thereof: and I will raise up his ruins, and will build them up again as in the days of old: that the residue of men may inquire for me, and all the nations upon whom my name is invoked, saith the Lord that doeth this." Chapter 29 — What Things are Predicted by Isaiah Concerning Christ and the Church The …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
Quotes verse 15:20 Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures (Lecture IV)
… Apostles also, and James the bishop of this Church, have had earnest care: and the Apostles and Elders write a Catholic epistle to all the Gentiles, that they should abstain first from things offered to idols, and then from blood also and from things strangled.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
Quotes verse 15:9 Augustine of Hippo, Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament (Sermon III)
The Divine record has expressly mentioned this when it says, "purifying their hearts by faith." The faith of God then purifies the heart, the pure heart sees God.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)
Quotes verse 15:28 Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures (Lecture XVII)
… writing, and acknowledge this: For it hath seemed good unto the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; shewing evidently by what they wrote, that though the writing was by the hands …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)