Acts 15:13

And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men [and] brethren, hearken unto me:

And {G1161} after {G3326} they had held {G4601} their {G846} peace {G4601}, James {G2385} answered {G611}, saying {G3004}, Men {G435} and brethren {G80}, hearken {G191} unto me {G3450}:

Ya‘akov broke the silence to reply. “Brothers,” he said, “hear what I have to say.

When they had finished speaking, James declared, “Brothers, listen to me!

And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:

Commentary

Acts 15:13 (KJV) marks a pivotal moment in the early church's history, specifically during the Jerusalem Council. After a period of fervent debate and testimonies, James, a prominent leader, steps forward to offer his decisive judgment.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is situated at the climax of a critical theological dispute: whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law in order to be saved. This issue threatened to divide the nascent Christian movement. The council had heard Peter's powerful testimony about God giving the Holy Spirit to Gentiles without circumcision, and Paul and Barnabas had recounted God's work among the Gentiles on their missionary journeys. The phrase "after they had held their peace" indicates a respectful silence, a pause for reflection and anticipation, as the assembly awaited the final word from James, who was widely recognized as a pillar of the Jerusalem church and likely the brother of Jesus.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Authoritative Leadership: James's role as the final speaker highlights his significant authority and respect within the early Christian community. His address begins with a call to "hearken unto me," signifying that he is about to deliver a crucial summation and resolution.
  • Conflict Resolution and Unity: The council's purpose was to resolve a deep-seated theological conflict. James's intervention demonstrates the importance of wise, Spirit-led leadership in guiding discussions towards unity and preserving the church's peace.
  • Deliberation and Discernment: The period of silence before James spoke underscores the atmosphere of careful deliberation and seeking God's will collectively. It shows that important decisions in the church were not made hastily but with prayerful consideration and open discussion.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "held their peace" comes from the Greek word hesychia (ἡσυχία), which denotes quietness, silence, or rest. It implies that the assembly had settled down after the intense discussions, ready to receive a definitive statement. James's opening address, "Men and brethren" (andres adelphoi), is a common and respectful form of address used in the New Testament, emphasizing the familial and communal bond among believers, even amidst disagreement.

Practical Application

Acts 15:13 offers valuable lessons for believers and church leaders today:

  • The Value of Listening: Before James spoke, others had their say. Effective leadership often involves listening carefully to all perspectives before offering a solution.
  • Seeking Consensus: The Jerusalem Council serves as a model for how the church can address complex issues through prayer, discussion, and reliance on God's guidance to maintain unity.
  • Wise Leadership in Conflict: James's approach of summarizing the arguments and then proposing a scripturally-based resolution (which he does in subsequent verses, leading to his proposed resolution) is a timeless example of how to navigate disputes with wisdom and grace.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 12:17

    But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

  • Galatians 2:12

    For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

  • James 1:1

    ¶ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

  • Galatians 2:9

    And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we [should go] unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

  • Acts 7:2

    And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

  • Acts 22:1

    ¶ Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence [which I make] now unto you.

  • Acts 2:14

    ¶ But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all [ye] that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
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