Acts 15:14

KJV

Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

KJV (with Strong's)

Simeon {G4826} hath declared {G1834} how {G2531} God {G2316} at the first {G4412} did visit {G1980} the Gentiles {G1484}, to take {G2983} out of {G1537} them a people {G2992} for {G1909} his {G846} name {G3686}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Shim‘on has told in detail what God did when he first began to show his concern for taking from among the Goyim a people to bear his name.

Berean Standard Bible

Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own.

American Standard Version

Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 15:14 captures Peter's (Simeon's) pivotal testimony at the Jerusalem Council, where he recounts God's sovereign initiative in extending salvation to the Gentiles. This verse underscores the divine purpose behind the Holy Spirit's outpouring on uncircumcised believers, revealing God's intention to call out from among all nations a distinct people who would bear His name and live for His glory, thereby validating the full inclusion of Gentiles into the nascent Christian community without requiring adherence to Mosaic ceremonial law.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 15:14 is embedded within Peter's address to the Jerusalem Council, a critical gathering convened to resolve the contentious issue of Gentile inclusion in the early church. The preceding verses (Acts 15:1-5) describe the arrival of certain Jewish believers from Judea who insisted that Gentile converts must be circumcised and observe the Law of Moses to be saved, creating significant theological and practical division. Peter's speech, beginning in [Acts 15:7](/acts/15-7 "Acts 15:7 - Peter's Address to the Jerusalem Council"), serves as a powerful eyewitness account, recalling God's prior work among the Gentiles, specifically referencing the events at [Cornelius's household in Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter and Cornelius"). His testimony, followed by Paul and Barnabas's report (Acts 15:12), sets the stage for James's concluding remarks and the council's decisive resolution (Acts 15:13-21).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church operated within a deeply ingrained Jewish cultural and religious framework, where covenant identity was inextricably linked to circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law. For centuries, the Jewish people had been God's chosen nation, set apart from the "Gentiles" (non-Jews). The idea that God would extend salvation directly to uncircumcised Gentiles, placing them on equal footing with Jewish believers, was revolutionary and deeply challenging to many Jewish Christians, particularly those from the Pharisaic tradition (Acts 15:5). The council's debate reflected the tension between preserving Jewish identity and embracing the universal scope of the gospel, necessitating a clear theological and practical ruling to ensure the unity and mission of the burgeoning Christian movement.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader New Testament. It highlights **God's sovereign initiative** in salvation, demonstrating that the inclusion of Gentiles was not a human strategy but a divine plan, initiated by God Himself. This aligns with the book's emphasis on the Holy Spirit's guidance in expanding the gospel beyond Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria to the "ends of the earth" as prophesied in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission"). Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **the formation of a new, inclusive people of God**, drawn from all nations, united by faith in Christ rather than by ethnic or ceremonial distinctions. This new community, "a people for his name," reflects the universal scope of God's redemptive purpose, a concept foreshadowed in Old Testament prophecies concerning the nations turning to the Lord, as seen in [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Gentiles").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **declared (Greek, _exēgéomai'_):** From the root meaning "to lead out" or "to unfold," this word signifies a thorough, detailed explanation or exposition. Peter is not merely stating a fact but is systematically recounting and interpreting God's actions, drawing out their theological implications for the council. It implies a comprehensive and authoritative testimony.
* **did visit (Greek, _episképtomai'_):** This term denotes a purposeful, attentive, and often benevolent visitation with the intent to care for, inspect, or intervene. It emphasizes God's deliberate and active engagement with the Gentiles, not a casual encounter, but a sovereign act of grace and intervention to bring them into relationship with Himself.
* **people (Greek, _laós'_):** This word refers to a people in general, often with the connotation of a distinct group or nation, particularly in a religious or covenantal sense. In this context, it signifies that God is calling out a specific group of individuals from among the Gentiles to become His own, a new "people" distinct from the traditional Jewish understanding of God's chosen nation, yet fulfilling His broader redemptive plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Simeon hath declared":** This identifies Peter by his Hebrew name, Simeon, lending weight to his testimony as one of the original apostles and a key figure in the early church's expansion. His declaration is not a casual remark but a formal, authoritative exposition of God's work.
* **"how God at the first did visit the Gentiles":** This clause highlights the divine initiative. It was God, not human evangelists, who first reached out to the Gentiles. The phrase "at the first" refers to the initial, groundbreaking events at Cornelius's house (Acts 10), which served as undeniable proof of God's acceptance of Gentiles without circumcision. "Did visit" underscores God's deliberate and purposeful engagement with them.
* **"to take out of them a people for his name":** This reveals God's ultimate purpose. The phrase "to take out of them" (Greek: _ek_) signifies a selection or calling *from* among the larger group of Gentiles. The goal is to form "a people for his name," meaning a community that belongs to Him, bears His character, represents His glory, and lives in a way that honors Him. This new people transcends ethnic boundaries, unified by their shared identity in God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Metonymy** when referring to "a people for his name." Here, "name" stands in for God's character, authority, reputation, and very being. To be "for his name" means to be dedicated to His honor and to reflect His nature in the world. This is not merely about uttering His name but embodying His attributes. Furthermore, the passage exhibits **Divine Initiative** as a recurring motif, emphasizing that God is the primary actor in the unfolding of salvation history, actively "visiting" and "taking out" a people for Himself. This highlights God's sovereign plan and active involvement in the expansion of the gospel beyond its initial Jewish confines.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 15:14 profoundly articulates the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating His intention to gather a people for Himself from all nations, not just from Israel. This divine initiative shatters the ethnic and ceremonial barriers that had historically separated Jew and Gentile, establishing that salvation is by grace through faith, accessible to all who believe, regardless of their background or adherence to the Mosaic Law. This truth was revolutionary for the early church, affirming the legitimacy of Gentile conversion and laying the groundwork for the global mission of Christianity. It underscores that the church is a new creation, a diverse community united under the banner of God's name, called to bear witness to His glory in the world.

* [Exodus 19:5](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5 - Israel as God's Treasured Possession")
* [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Gentiles")
* [Romans 9:25-26](/romans/9-25-26 "Romans 9:25-26 - Hosea's Prophecy of the Gentiles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 15:14 serves as a powerful reminder of God's expansive heart for all humanity and the inclusive nature of His kingdom. For believers today, this verse challenges any tendency towards exclusivity or ethnocentricity within the church, compelling us to embrace and celebrate the rich diversity of God's people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. We are called "a people for his name," which means our identity is found in Him, and our lives are to be lived in a manner that brings honor, glory, and recognition to God. This calls for intentional discipleship that shapes our character to reflect His, and a passionate engagement in mission, recognizing that God is still "visiting" the Gentiles, drawing people from every corner of the globe into His family. Our purpose is to live as a distinct, holy people, set apart to make His name known and cherished in a world desperately needing His light.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's initiative in "visiting the Gentiles" challenge any preconceived notions you might have about who is included in God's plan of salvation?**
* **In what practical ways can your local church more fully embody the "people for his name" identity, embracing diversity and living out God's character?**
* **What does it mean for you personally to be "a people for his name," and how does that purpose shape your daily choices and priorities?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Peter's use of "Simeon" instead of "Peter" in this context?**

Answer: Peter's use of "Simeon," his Hebrew birth name, rather than the Greek "Peter" (Cephas), is significant in the context of the Jerusalem Council. It subtly emphasizes his Jewish identity and background, which would have resonated with the Jewish Christians present, particularly those from the Pharisee sect who were advocating for circumcision. By using his Hebrew name, Peter underscores that even he, a prominent Jewish apostle, understood and affirmed God's work among the Gentiles, lending greater weight and credibility to his testimony among his Jewish brethren. It highlights the continuity of God's plan from the Old Covenant to the New, even as that plan expanded to include all nations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 15:14, with its declaration of God taking "out of them a people for his name" from among the Gentiles, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "visitation" of God to the Gentiles is fully realized in the person and work of Christ, who broke down the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jew and Gentile (as described in [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ our Peace")). Jesus, the promised Messiah of Israel, became the "light for revelation to the Gentiles" (as prophesied in [Luke 2:32](/luke/2-32 "Luke 2:32 - Simeon's Prophecy about Jesus")), extending the covenant blessings beyond the confines of Abraham's physical descendants to all who believe in Him. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ gathered together "into one body" both Jews and Gentiles, creating a new humanity, the church (as taught in [Ephesians 2:16](/ephesians/2-16 "Ephesians 2:16 - Reconciliation through the Cross")). This "people for his name" is now identified not by ethnic lineage or adherence to the Law, but by their faith in Jesus, who is the very embodiment of God's name and character. Thus, the inclusion of the Gentiles, so powerfully affirmed by Simeon (Peter) at the council, is a direct result of Christ's finished work, demonstrating His universal Lordship and the boundless reach of His redemptive love.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Peter 1:1

¶ Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

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.

Acts 15:9

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Luke 2:31

Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

Luke 2:32

A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Isaiah 43:21

This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: