Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Acts 15:28 - 15:28
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
To the Holy Spirit and to us (tōi pneumati tōi hagiōi kai hēmin). Dative case after edoxen (third example, verses, 22, 25, 28). Definite claim that the church in this action had the guidance of the Holy Spirit. That fact was plain to the church from what had taken place in Caesarea and in this campaign of Paul and Barnabas (Act 15:8). Jesus had promised that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth (Joh 16:13). Even so the church deliberated carefully before deciding. What a blessing it would be if this were always true! But even so the Judaizers are only silenced for the present, not convinced and only waiting for a better day to start over again.
No greater burden (mēden pleon baros). The restrictions named did constitute some burden (cf. Mat 20:12), for the old word baros means weight or heaviness. Morality itself is a restraint upon one’s impulses as is all law a prohibition against license.
Than these necessary things (plēn toutōn tōn epanagkes). This old adverb (from epi and anagkē) means on compulsion, of necessity. Here only in the N.T. For discussion of these items see note on Act 15:20, note on Act 15:21. In comparison with the freedom won this “burden” is light and not to be regarded as a compromise in spite of the arguments of Lightfoot and Ramsay. It was such a concession as any converted Gentile would be glad to make even if “things strangled” be included. This “necessity” was not a matter of salvation but only for fellowship between Jews and Gentiles. The Judaizers made the law of Moses essential to salvation (Act 15:16).