Acts 15:23
What does Acts 15:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 15:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 15:23 means
The letter begins by identifying its senders—the apostles and elders—addressing the Gentile brethren in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, and offering a warm greeting. This establishes the letter’s authority and its pastoral tone. By calling Gentiles “brethren,” the leaders affirm full family status in Christ. The geographic scope shows concern for a broader region where the controversy had spread. The greeting prepares the recipients to hear not a rebuke, but encouragement and guidance from those entrusted with the church’s care, seeking to heal the confusion caused by unauthorized teachers.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they sent a letter by them, saying, The Apostles and the older brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, may joy be with you:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862having written through their hand thus: `The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to those in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, brethren, who <FI>are<Fi> of the nations, greeting;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Writing by their hands: The apostles and ancients, brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles that are at Antioch and in Syria and Cilicia, greeting.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890having by their hand written [thus]: The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren who are from among [the] nations at Antioch, and [in] Syria and Cilicia, greeting:
Context
The formal communication now starts. Address and greeting set a fraternal and authoritative framework before the content of the decision. Next, the letter will acknowledge the trouble caused by certain men and disavow their claim to speak for Jerusalem, clearing the ground for the Spirit-guided ruling that follows.
v.22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
v.23This passage
v.24Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 16:3
Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus,
- Galatians 1:21
Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
- Acts 23:26
Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix, greeting.
- 3 John 1:14
but I hope shortly to see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be unto thee. The friends salute thee. Salute the friends by name.
- Acts 11:18
And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life.
- Acts 15:4
And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.
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