Acts 15:5
But 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.
Original Language Analysis
ἐξανέστησαν
there rose up
G1817
ἐξανέστησαν
there rose up
Strong's:
G1817
Word #:
1 of 21
objectively, to produce, i.e., (figuratively) beget; subjectively, to arise, i.e., (figuratively) object
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
5 of 21
"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 #:
6 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἱρέσεως
the sect
G139
αἱρέσεως
the sect
Strong's:
G139
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, a choice, i.e., (specially) a party or (abstractly) disunion
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Φαρισαίων
of the Pharisees
G5330
Φαρισαίων
of the Pharisees
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
9 of 21
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
πεπιστευκότες
which believed
G4100
πεπιστευκότες
which believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
10 of 21
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
That
G3754
ὅτι
That
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
12 of 21
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
δεῖ
it was needful
G1163
δεῖ
it was needful
Strong's:
G1163
Word #:
13 of 21
also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)
περιτέμνειν
to circumcise
G4059
περιτέμνειν
to circumcise
Strong's:
G4059
Word #:
14 of 21
to cut around, i.e., (specially) to circumcise
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 21
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
παραγγέλλειν
to command
G3853
παραγγέλλειν
to command
Strong's:
G3853
Word #:
16 of 21
to transmit a message, i.e., (by implication) to enjoin
τηρεῖν
them to keep
G5083
τηρεῖν
them to keep
Strong's:
G5083
Word #:
18 of 21
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
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
These 'Pharisees which believed' had converted from the strictest Jewish sect. Their theological background made it difficult to accept that God would save uncircumcised Gentiles apart from Jewish law-keeping.
Questions for Reflection
- How can believers hold to Christ yet still import legalistic thinking into their faith?
- What does this teach about the difference between justification and sanctification?
- In what ways might we unconsciously impose our cultural preferences as spiritual requirements?
Analysis & Commentary
The Pharisee believers represent a significant faction within the early church who hadn't fully grasped grace. Though they believed in Christ, they maintained that Gentiles must keep 'the law of Moses' and be circumcised. This shows that theological error can persist even among genuine believers. The issue wasn't salvation by works per se, but adding requirements to Christ's finished work.