Acts 15:1
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Original Language Analysis
Καί
And
G2532
Καί
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κατελθόντες
which came down
G2718
κατελθόντες
which came down
Strong's:
G2718
Word #:
3 of 19
to come (or go) down (literally or figuratively)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
4 of 19
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰουδαίας
Judaea
G2449
Ἰουδαίας
Judaea
Strong's:
G2449
Word #:
6 of 19
the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφοὺς
the brethren
G80
ἀδελφοὺς
the brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
9 of 19
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ὅτι
and said
G3754
ὅτι
and said
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
10 of 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Ἐὰν
G1437
Ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
11 of 19
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
12 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
περιτέμνησθε
ye be circumcised
G4059
περιτέμνησθε
ye be circumcised
Strong's:
G4059
Word #:
13 of 19
to cut around, i.e., (specially) to circumcise
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Μωϋσέως
of Moses
G3475
Μωϋσέως
of Moses
Strong's:
G3475
Word #:
16 of 19
moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver
Cross References
Galatians 5:6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.Acts 15:5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.Leviticus 12:3And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.Colossians 2:8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.Acts 15:24Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:John 7:22Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.Acts 6:14For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.Acts 15:3And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.Galatians 2:1Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
Historical Context
Written circa AD 49, this controversy threatened to split the nascent church. Jewish Christians from Jerusalem struggled to reconcile Gentile inclusion with their understanding of covenant identity. The issue was whether Gentile believers needed to become Jewish proselytes before becoming Christians.
Questions for Reflection
- What subtle forms of legalism do you see creeping into modern Christianity?
- How does the doctrine of justification by faith alone protect the purity of the gospel?
- In what ways might you be adding human requirements to God's free grace?
Analysis & Commentary
The Jerusalem Council crisis reveals the perpetual tension between grace and legalism. These Judaizers from Judaea insisted that Gentile converts must be circumcised 'after the manner of Moses' to be saved, adding works to faith. This directly contradicted the gospel of grace that Paul and Barnabas preached. The Greek 'sōthēnai' (be saved) is passive, emphasizing that salvation is received, not achieved through human effort.