Acts 15:17
That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
Original Language Analysis
ὅπως
That
G3704
ὅπως
That
Strong's:
G3704
Word #:
1 of 27
what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)
ἐκζητήσωσιν
might seek after
G1567
ἐκζητήσωσιν
might seek after
Strong's:
G1567
Word #:
3 of 27
to search out, i.e., (figuratively)investigate, crave, demand, (by hebraism) worship
ὁ
who
G3588
ὁ
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατάλοιποι
the residue
G2645
κατάλοιποι
the residue
Strong's:
G2645
Word #:
5 of 27
left down (behind), i.e remaining (plural the rest)
ὁ
who
G3588
ὁ
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
who
G3588
ὁ
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
9 of 27
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
who
G3588
ὁ
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔθνη
the Gentiles
G1484
ἔθνη
the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
13 of 27
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
ἐπ'
upon
G1909
ἐπ'
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
14 of 27
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
οὓς
whom
G3739
οὓς
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
15 of 27
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐπικέκληται
is called
G1941
ἐπικέκληται
is called
Strong's:
G1941
Word #:
16 of 27
to entitle; by implication, to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.)
ὁ
who
G3588
ὁ
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄνομά
name
G3686
ὄνομά
name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
18 of 27
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
ἐπ'
upon
G1909
ἐπ'
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
20 of 27
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτούς
G846
αὐτούς
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
22 of 27
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
23 of 27
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ὁ
who
G3588
ὁ
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Zechariah 2:11And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.Isaiah 65:1I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.Hosea 2:23And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.Jeremiah 16:19O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.Malachi 1:11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.Isaiah 43:7Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.Isaiah 11:10And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.Jeremiah 14:9Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.Genesis 22:18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.Genesis 49:10The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Historical Context
The Jerusalem Council (around 49-50 AD) addressed the explosive question of whether Gentile converts must observe Jewish law, particularly circumcision. This was the first major theological crisis in church history. James, the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church, presided over the council. His quotation from Amos (written around 760 BC) was strategic—he used the Hebrew prophets, authoritative to his Jewish Christian audience, to prove that Gentile inclusion was God's ancient plan, not a new innovation. The Septuagint (Greek translation) James quotes differs slightly from the Hebrew text, but both versions support his argument. This decision liberated the gospel from cultural boundaries and enabled Christianity to become a universal faith rather than a Jewish sect.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse demonstrate that God's plan for the Gentiles was prophesied long before the church age?
- What does it mean for God's name to be called upon the Gentiles, and what are the implications?
- How did James's use of Scripture resolve the theological crisis at the Jerusalem Council?
- In what ways does this verse challenge cultural and ethnic barriers in modern Christianity?
- What does the phrase 'the residue of men' suggest about God's purposes for humanity?
Analysis & Commentary
James quotes Amos 9:11-12 to demonstrate that Gentile inclusion was prophesied in Scripture. The phrase ὅπως ἂν ἐκζητήσωσιν (hopōs an ekzētēsōsin, 'so that they might seek') expresses divine purpose—God's plan always included the nations. The term οἱ κατάλοιποι τῶν ἀνθρώπων (hoi kataloipoi tōn anthrōpōn, 'the remnant of mankind') echoes prophetic language about a preserved, faithful group. The phrase πάντα τὰ ἔθνη (panta ta ethnē, 'all the Gentiles') is emphatic—not some nations, but ALL nations.
The clause ἐφ' οὓς ἐπικέκληται τὸ ὄνομά μου (eph' hous epikeklētai to onoma mou, 'upon whom my name is called') indicates covenant ownership—these Gentiles bear God's name, making them His people. This was revolutionary for Jewish believers who viewed Gentiles as unclean outsiders. The authority statement λέγει Κύριος ὁ ποιῶν ταῦτα (legei Kyrios ho poiōn tauta, 'says the Lord who does these things') emphasizes God as the active agent in this inclusion. The perfect tense of ἐπικέκληται (epikeklētai) indicates a completed action with ongoing results—God's name has been called upon the Gentiles and remains upon them, establishing permanent relationship and identity.