Acts 15:18
What does Acts 15:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 15:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 15:18 means
James ends the quotation by affirming that the Lord has made these things known from of old. Gentile inclusion is not a late adjustment but part of God’s long-declared design. This gives the church confidence to act decisively: honoring Scripture is to welcome what God announced and is now accomplishing in Christ. The line also humbles human judgment; the council is not crafting policy from scratch but recognizing divine revelation playing out in history. With prophecy and experience aligned, James can render a pastoral decision that guards the gospel and promotes unity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Says the Lord, who has made these things clear from the earliest times.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Known from the ages to God are all His works;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752To the Lord was his own work known from the beginning of the world.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890known from eternity.
Context
The scriptural citation finishes, anchoring the council’s discernment in God’s eternal plan. On this foundation, James will now state his judgment—what should be done practically. The next verses propose not burdening Gentile converts with the law, while asking them to abstain from certain practices, especially tied to idolatry and table fellowship, to foster holiness and peace with Jewish believers.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?
- Ephesians 1:4
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:
- Acts 17:26
and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation;
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
- Ephesians 3:9
and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things;
- Isaiah 45:21
Declare ye, and bring it forth; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath showed this from ancient time? who hath declared it of old? have not I, Jehovah? and there is no God else besides me, a just God and a Saviour; there is none besides me.
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