Acts 21:25
As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
Original Language Analysis
περὶ
touching
G4012
περὶ
touching
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
1 of 26
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πεπιστευκότων
which believe
G4100
πεπιστευκότων
which believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
4 of 26
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
ἐθνῶν
the Gentiles
G1484
ἐθνῶν
the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
5 of 26
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
ἐπεστείλαμεν
have written
G1989
ἐπεστείλαμεν
have written
Strong's:
G1989
Word #:
7 of 26
to enjoin (by writing), i.e., (genitive case) to communicate by letter (for any purpose)
τοιοῦτον
such thing
G5108
τοιοῦτον
such thing
Strong's:
G5108
Word #:
10 of 26
truly this, i.e., of this sort (to denote character or individuality)
τηρεῖν
observe
G5083
τηρεῖν
observe
Strong's:
G5083
Word #:
11 of 26
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
αὐτοὺς,
that they
G846
αὐτοὺς,
that they
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 26
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
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
14 of 26
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
φυλάσσεσθαι
that they keep
G5442
φυλάσσεσθαι
that they keep
Strong's:
G5442
Word #:
15 of 26
to watch, i.e., be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid
αὐτοὺς,
that they
G846
αὐτοὺς,
that they
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 26
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
τό
G3588
τό
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰδωλόθυτον
things offered to idols
G1494
εἰδωλόθυτον
things offered to idols
Strong's:
G1494
Word #:
19 of 26
an image-sacrifice, i.e., part of an idolatrous offering
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τό,
G3588
τό,
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἷμα
from blood
G129
αἷμα
from blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
22 of 26
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πνικτὸν
from strangled
G4156
πνικτὸν
from strangled
Strong's:
G4156
Word #:
24 of 26
throttled, i.e., (neuter concretely) an animal choked to death (not bled)
Historical Context
The Jerusalem Council (c. AD 49) had settled the circumcision controversy eight years earlier. These four prohibitions balanced Gentile freedom with Jewish sensitivities, enabling table fellowship that would otherwise be impossible. The elders' reminder showed these principles remained in force.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between essential gospel requirements and culturally-sensitive practices that facilitate fellowship?
- What does this passage teach about maintaining doctrinal decisions across time while applying them to new situations?
Analysis & Commentary
As touching the Gentiles which believe—The elders clarify that their proposed Jewish vow (v. 23-24) doesn't contradict the Jerusalem Council's decree (Acts 15:20, 29). The four prohibitions—things offered to idols... blood... strangled... fornication—addressed practices particularly offensive to Jewish sensibility, facilitating Jewish-Gentile fellowship without requiring circumcision or full law-observance. The phrase 'we have written and concluded' (ἐπεστείλαμεν κρίναντες, epestéilamen krínantes) emphasizes the settled, authoritative nature of this decision. This verse demonstrates how biblical Christianity maintains core gospel truth while allowing cultural flexibility in non-essential matters.