Acts 15:24
Forasmuch 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:
Original Language Analysis
Ἐπειδὴ
Forasmuch as
G1894
Ἐπειδὴ
Forasmuch as
Strong's:
G1894
Word #:
1 of 23
since now, i.e., (of time) when, or (of cause) whereas
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
3 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐξ
from
G1537
ἐξ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
5 of 23
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
λόγοις
with words
G3056
λόγοις
with words
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
10 of 23
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
ἀνασκευάζοντες
subverting
G384
ἀνασκευάζοντες
subverting
Strong's:
G384
Word #:
11 of 23
properly, to pack up (baggage), i.e., (by implication, and figuratively) to upset
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὰς
souls
G5590
ψυχὰς
souls
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
13 of 23
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
περιτέμνεσθαι
Ye must be circumcised
G4059
περιτέμνεσθαι
Ye must be circumcised
Strong's:
G4059
Word #:
16 of 23
to cut around, i.e., (specially) to circumcise
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τηρεῖν
keep
G5083
τηρεῖν
keep
Strong's:
G5083
Word #:
18 of 23
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
τον
G3588
τον
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμον,
the law
G3551
νόμον,
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
20 of 23
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
οἷς
to whom
G3739
οἷς
to whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
21 of 23
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Acts 15:1And 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.Galatians 5:12I would they were even cut off which trouble you.Galatians 5:10I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.Galatians 1:7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.1 John 2:19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.2 Timothy 2:14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
Historical Context
False teachers often claimed apostolic authority they didn't possess. This official repudiation protected Gentile churches from ongoing Judaizing pressure and established that the Jerusalem church supported Gentile freedom.
Questions for Reflection
- How does false teaching 'subvert' souls and undermine faith?
- What responsibility do church leaders have to refute error in their name?
- How can you discern between authorized teaching and unauthorized imposters?
Analysis & Commentary
The council acknowledges that 'certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls.' The Greek 'anaskeuazō' (subvert, unsettle) shows the destructive nature of false teaching. Importantly, these troublers went out 'to whom we gave no such commandment,' disclaiming any official authorization for their legalism.