Acts 15:33

15:22-35 Being warranted to declare themselves directed by the immediate influence of the Holy Ghost, the apostles and disciples were assured that it seemed good unto God the Holy Spirit, as well as to them, to lay upon the converts no other burden than the things before mentioned, which were necessary, either on their own account, or from present circumstances. It was a comfort to hear that carnal ordinances were no longer imposed on them, which perplexed the conscience, but could not purify or pacify it; and that those who troubled their minds were silenced, so that the peace of the church was restored, and that which threatened division was removed. All this was consolation for which they blessed God. Many others were at Antioch. Where many labour in the word and doctrine, yet there may be opportunity for us: the zeal and usefulness of others should stir us up, not lay us asleep.

A space; a competent time; some make this space to be a year. They were let go in peace; they were dismissed with earnest prayers for them; for by peace is meant all kind of good, which they desired for them, as Matthew 10:13 . Unto the apostles; such of them as were at Jerusalem, who also had sent them.

33 . they were let go in peace ] This is the translation of a Hebrew expression, and does not signify ‘they were allowed to go quietly away,’ but “in peace” means “with a blessing or prayer for peace, as a parting word.” unto the apostles ] The oldest MSS. read “ unto those that had sent them forth .” So R. V.

Acts 15:33-35 . Ποιεῖν χρόνον to spend a time , Dem. 392. 18. See Wetstein and Jacobs, ad Anthol. II. 3, p. 44; also Schaefer, ad Bos. Ell. p. 413. μετʼ εἰρήνης ] i.e. so that welfare ( שָׁלוֹם ) was bidden to accompany them, amidst good wishes. A reference to the formula of parting: πορεύου or ὕπαγε εἰς εἰρήνην , or ἐν εἰρήνῃ ( Acts 16:36 ; Mark 5:34 ; Luke 7:50 ; Luke 8:48 ; Jam 2:16 ). The καί between διδάσκ . and εὐαγγ .[44] is epexegetical. τὸν λόγ . τοῦ Κυρ .] see on Acts 8:25 . At this period, Acts 15:35 , occurs the encounter of Paul with Peter ( Galatians 2:11 ff.). The quite summary statement, Acts 15:35 , makes the non-mention of this particular incident intelligible enough, and therefore there is no reason for the fiction that Luke desired, by the narrative of the strife between Paul and Barnabas ( Acts 15:37 ff.), merely to mask the far more important difference between him and Peter (Schrader, Schneckenburger, Baur). This passing and temporary offence had its importance in the special interest of the Epistle to the Galatians , but not in the general historical interest of Luke, which was concerned, on the other hand, with the separation of Paul and Barnabas and of their working. The objections of Wieseler to the assumed coincidence of time (on Galatians 2:11 ) have little weight. In particular, the indefinite statements of time, Acts 15:33 ; Acts 15:35-36 , allow space enough.

A space - For some time. They were let go in peace - An expression implying that they departed with the affectionate regard of the Christians to whom they had ministered, and with their highest wishes for their prosperity, 1 Corinthians 16:11; 2 John 1:10. Unto the apostles - At Jerusalem. Many mss., however, instead of "unto the apostles," read "unto those who had sent them." The sense is not materially different.

Acts 15:33 . ποιήσαντες δὲ χρόνον , cf. Acts 18:23 , and Acts 20:3 , only in Acts in N.T., cf. 2 Corinthians 11:25 , Jam 4:13 . For the phrase both in LXX and classical Greek (so in Latin), see Wetstein, Blass, Grimm. In LXX cf. Proverbs 13:23 , Ecclesiastes 6:12 ( Tob 10:7 ), so Hebrew עָשַׂה .— μετʼ εἰρήνης : exact phrase only Hebrews 11:31 in N.T.; in LXX several times; in Apocryha, in 1 and 3 Macc.— πρὸς τοὺς ἀποσ .: but if as in R.V., “unto those that had sent them” (see critical notes and Hort, Ecclesia , p. 73), i.e. , the whole synod at Jerusalem, not only the Apostles.