Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Acts
Book: Acts
Chapter: 15
Overview:
The dispute raised
By Judaizing teachers.
(1-6) The
Council at
Jerusalem.
(7-21) The
Letter from the
Council.
(22-35) Paul and
Barnabas separate.
(36-41)
1-6 Some from
Judea taught the Gentile converts at
Antioch,
that they could not be saved, unless they observed the whole
ceremonial
Law as given
By Moses; and thus they sought to
destroy
Christian liberty. There is a strange proneness in us to
think that all do wrong who do not just as we do. Their doctrine
was very discouraging.
Wise and good men desire to avoid
contests and disputes as far as they can; yet when false
teachers oppose the main truths of the
Gospel, or bring in
hurtful doctrines, we must not decline to oppose them.
7-21 We see from the words "purifying their hearts
By Faith,"
and the address of St.
Peter, that
Justification By Faith, and
Sanctification By the
Holy Ghost, cannot be separated; and that
both are the
Gift of
God. We have great cause to
Bless God that
we have heard the
Gospel. May we have that
Faith which the great
Searcher of hearts approves, and attests
By the
Seal of the Holy
Spirit. Then our hearts and consciences will be purified from
the guilt of
Sin, and we shall be freed from the burdens some
try to lay upon the disciples of
Christ.
Paul and
Barnabas
showed
By Plain matters of fact, that
God owned the preaching of
the pure
Gospel to the
Gentiles without the
Law of
Moses;
therefore to press that
Law upon them, was to undo what
God had
done. The opinion of
James was, that the Gentile converts ought
not to be troubled about Jewish rites, but that they should
abstain from meats offered to idols,
So that they might show
their
Hatred of
Idolatry. Also, that they should be cautioned
against
Fornication, which was not abhorred
By the
Gentiles as
it should be, and even formed a part of some of their rites.
They were counselled to abstain from things strangled, and from
Eating Blood; this was forbidden
By the
Law of
Moses, and also
here, from reverence to the
Blood of the sacrifices, which being
then still offered, it would needlessly grieve the Jewish
converts, and further prejudice the unconverted Jews. But as the
reason has long ceased, we are left free in this, as in the like
matters. Let converts be warned to avoid all appearances of the
evils which they formerly practised, or are likely to be tempted
to; and caution them to use
Christian liberty with moderation
and prudence.
22-35 Being warranted to declare themselves directed
By the
immediate influence of the
Holy Ghost, the apostles and
disciples were assured that it seemed good unto
God the Holy
Spirit, as
Well as to them, to lay upon the converts
No other
Burden than the things before mentioned, which were necessary,
either
On their own account, or from present circumstances. It
was a comfort to hear that
Carnal ordinances were
No longer
imposed
On them, which perplexed the
Conscience, but could not
purify or pacify it; and that those who troubled their minds
were silenced,
So that the peace of the
Church was restored, and
that which threatened division was removed. All this was
consolation for which they blessed
God. Many others were at
Antioch. Where many labour in the
Word and doctrine, yet there
may be opportunity for us: the zeal and usefulness of others
should stir us up, not lay us asleep.
36-41 Here we have a private quarrel between two ministers,
No
less than
Paul and
Barnabas, yet made to
End Well.
Barnabas
wished his nephew
John Mark to go with them. We should suspect
ourselves of being partial, and
Guard against this in putting
our relations forward.
Paul did not think him worthy of the
honour, nor fit for the service, who had departed from them
without their knowledge, or without their consent: see ch.
13:13. Neither would yield, therefore there was
No remedy but
they must part. We see that the best of men are but men, subject
to like passions as we are. Perhaps there were faults
On both
sides, as usual in such contentions.
Christ's
Example alone, is
a copy without a
Blot. Yet we are not to think it strange, if
there are differences among
Wise and good men. It will be
So
while we are in this imperfect state; we shall never be all of
one mind till we come to
Heaven. But what mischief the
remainders of pride and
Passion which are found even in good
men, do in the world, and do in the
Church! Many who dwelt at
Antioch, who had heard but little of the devotedness and
Piety
of
Paul and
Barnabas, heard of their dispute and separation; and
thus it will be with ourselves, if we give way to contention.
Believers must be constant in
Prayer, that they may never be led
By the allowance of unholy tempers, to hurt the cause they
really desire to serve.
Paul speaks with esteem and
Affection
both of
Barnabas and
Mark, in his
Epistles, written after this
event. May all who profess thy name, O loving
Saviour, be
thoroughly reconciled
By that
Love derived from thee which is
not easily provoked, and which soon forgets and buries injuries.