Acts 15:7
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Original Language Analysis
πολλῆς
much
G4183
πολλῆς
much
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
1 of 35
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
γενομένης
when there had been
G1096
γενομένης
when there had been
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
4 of 35
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἀναστὰς
rose up
G450
ἀναστὰς
rose up
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
5 of 35
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
6 of 35
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
8 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,
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 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
ἀδελφοί
and brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
and brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
11 of 35
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ἐπίστασθε
know
G1987
ἐπίστασθε
know
Strong's:
G1987
Word #:
13 of 35
to put the mind upon, i.e., comprehend, or be acquainted with
ὅτι
how that
G3754
ὅτι
how that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
14 of 35
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἀφ'
ago
G575
ἀφ'
ago
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
15 of 35
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἡμερῶν
while
G2250
ἡμερῶν
while
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
16 of 35
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
19 of 35
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
23 of 35
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στόματός
mouth
G4750
στόματός
mouth
Strong's:
G4750
Word #:
25 of 35
the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or e
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔθνη
that the Gentiles
G1484
ἔθνη
that the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
29 of 35
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
30 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
the word
G3056
λόγον
the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
31 of 35
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
32 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 15:2When 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.Acts 10:20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
Historical Context
This council (c. AD 49) addressed Christianity's most crucial theological crisis: whether Gentiles must become Jews to be saved. The debate's outcome determined whether Christianity would remain a Jewish sect or become a universal faith.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance conviction about truth with patience in allowing full discussion of controversial issues?
- What does this teach about the importance of thoroughly addressing theological controversies rather than ignoring them?
Analysis & Commentary
The 'great disputing' at the Jerusalem Council reveals how seriously the early church took theological questions. The debate over Gentile circumcision touched fundamental issues about salvation's basis and the law's role. That the church allowed extensive discussion before resolution shows wisdom in thoroughly addressing controversies rather than quick, superficial decisions.