Acts 15:2
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
Original Language Analysis
γενομένης
had
G1096
γενομένης
had
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
1 of 35
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
οὖν
When therefore
G3767
οὖν
When therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 35
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
στάσεως
dissension
G4714
στάσεως
dissension
Strong's:
G4714
Word #:
3 of 35
a standing (properly, the act), i.e., (by analogy) position (existence); by implication, a popular uprising; figuratively, controversy
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὀλίγης
small
G3641
ὀλίγης
small
Strong's:
G3641
Word #:
7 of 35
puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλον
Paul
G3972
Παῦλον
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
9 of 35
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Βαρναβᾶν
Barnabas
G921
Βαρναβᾶν
Barnabas
Strong's:
G921
Word #:
12 of 35
son of nabas (i.e., prophecy); barnabas, an israelite
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
13 of 35
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 35
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
ἔταξαν
they determined
G5021
ἔταξαν
they determined
Strong's:
G5021
Word #:
15 of 35
to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e., assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot)
Παῦλον
Paul
G3972
Παῦλον
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
17 of 35
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Βαρναβᾶν
Barnabas
G921
Βαρναβᾶν
Barnabas
Strong's:
G921
Word #:
19 of 35
son of nabas (i.e., prophecy); barnabas, an israelite
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐξ
of
G1537
ἐξ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
23 of 35
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 35
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
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
25 of 35
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποστόλους
the apostles
G652
ἀποστόλους
the apostles
Strong's:
G652
Word #:
27 of 35
a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the gospel; officially a commissioner of christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
28 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρεσβυτέρους
elders
G4245
πρεσβυτέρους
elders
Strong's:
G4245
Word #:
29 of 35
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
30 of 35
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
31 of 35
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
περὶ
about
G4012
περὶ
about
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
32 of 35
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
33 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
This delegation to Jerusalem (Paul's second visit per Galatians 2) occurred around AD 49. The journey from Syrian Antioch to Jerusalem was approximately 300 miles, showing the seriousness with which they treated this doctrinal matter.
Questions for Reflection
- When should Christians contend vigorously for doctrinal truth versus seek peace?
- How does church leadership properly adjudicate theological disputes today?
- What gospel truths are worth defending even at the cost of conflict?
Analysis & Commentary
Paul and Barnabas engage in 'no small dissension' (Greek 'stasis' - conflict, uprising) because the gospel itself was at stake. They refused to compromise on justification by faith alone. The decision to appeal to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem demonstrates biblical church government and the importance of doctrinal unity. This establishes precedent for resolving theological disputes through godly counsel.