Devine Scripture

Acts 15:29

What does Acts 15:29 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 15:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 15:29 means

The decree lists the necessary abstentions: avoid food sacrificed to idols, blood, things strangled, and sexual immorality. These instructions distance Gentile believers from pagan worship and uphold moral purity, while also easing table fellowship with Jewish believers. The promise, “if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you,” offers pastoral assurance: walking in these ways promotes spiritual health and church unity. The closing “Fare ye well” sends them off in peace. None of this undermines grace; rather, it guides life in the grace already received through Jesus, keeping the church distinct from idolatry and united across cultural lines.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

To keep from things offered to false gods, and from blood, and from things put to death in ways which are against the law, and from the evil desires of the body; if you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. May you be happy.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

to abstain from things offered to idols, and blood, and a strangled thing, and whoredom; from which keeping yourselves, ye shall do well; be strong!'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication: from which things keeping yourselves, you shall do well. Fare ye well.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication; keeping yourselves from which ye will do well. Farewell.

Context

With the decision spelled out, the letter concludes. The narrative now turns to its delivery in Antioch and the church’s response. The next verses show the decree received with joy and further strengthened by the ministry of Judas and Silas. The council’s action thus not only resolves a crisis but also builds up the churches.

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

v.29This passage

v.30So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:9

    and when I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on any man; for the brethren, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my want; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

  • Acts 18:21

    but taking his leave of them, and saying, I will return again unto you if God will, he set sail from Ephesus.

  • Romans 14:14

    I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

  • Jude 1:24

    Now unto him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy,

  • Acts 15:20

    but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.

  • 1 Timothy 5:22

    Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

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