Acts 15:9
And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐδέν
no
G3762
οὐδέν
no
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
2 of 14
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
διέκρινεν
difference
G1252
διέκρινεν
difference
Strong's:
G1252
Word #:
3 of 14
to separate thoroughly, i.e., (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication,
μεταξὺ
between
G3342
μεταξὺ
between
Strong's:
G3342
Word #:
4 of 14
betwixt (of place or person); (of time) as adjective, intervening, or (by implication) adjoining
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 14
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
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστει
by faith
G4102
πίστει
by faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
10 of 14
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Ephesians 3:6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:Acts 10:28And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.Acts 11:12And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:Colossians 3:11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.Romans 3:22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:1 Corinthians 1:2Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:Galatians 5:6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.Acts 10:34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.1 Peter 1:22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Historical Context
Peter's reference to God's gift to Gentiles recalled Cornelius's household (Acts 10). His testimony that God directly gave the Spirit to uncircumcised Gentiles proved divine acceptance apart from law-keeping.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'purifying hearts by faith' challenge religious systems that add requirements to simple trust in Christ?
- What does the 'no difference' principle mean for how you view yourself and other believers?
Analysis & Commentary
Peter's testimony that God 'put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith' articulated salvation's essential principle. The cleansing comes through faith alone, not through law-keeping or ritual observance. This 'no difference' between Jew and Gentile became foundational to Paul's theology (Romans 3:22-23) and remains Christianity's core claim.