Acts 15:17

That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

That {G3704}{G302} the residue {G2645} of men {G444} might seek after {G1567} the Lord {G2962}, and {G2532} all {G3956} the Gentiles {G1484}, upon {G1909} whom {G3739} my {G3450} name {G3686} is called {G1941}{G1909}{G846}, saith {G3004} the Lord {G2962}, who {G3588} doeth {G4160} all {G3956} these things {G5023}.

so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
that is, all the Goyim who have been called by my name,”

so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does these things

That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,

Commentary

Acts 15:17 KJV is a pivotal verse from the Apostle James's speech at the Jerusalem Council. This council convened to address a critical question for the early Christian church: whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law to be saved. James quotes the Old Testament prophet Amos to support the divine inclusion of the Gentiles.

Context

The early church faced significant tension between Jewish believers, who often maintained their adherence to the Law, and new Gentile converts. Some Jewish Christians (often called Judaizers) insisted that Gentiles must become Jewish proselytes, including circumcision, before they could truly be followers of Christ (Acts 15:1). Paul and Barnabas vigorously opposed this, asserting salvation by grace through faith alone. James, as a respected leader in Jerusalem, concludes the debate by citing scripture, specifically Amos 9:11-12, to demonstrate that God's plan always included the nations.

Key Themes

  • Divine Inclusion of Gentiles: This verse underscores God's long-standing purpose to bring all peoples, not just Israel, into relationship with Him. The phrase "all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called" highlights their new identity and belonging to God's family.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: James uses an Old Testament prophecy to show that the inclusion of Gentiles was not a new, unexpected development, but a preordained part of God's redemptive plan, now being fulfilled through Christ and the expanding church. This legitimizes the Gentile mission.
  • God's Sovereignty and Action: The concluding phrase, "saith the Lord, who doeth all these things," powerfully affirms that this universal outreach is God's initiative and work, not merely human effort. It emphasizes His active role in bringing about His purposes.
  • Universal Invitation: The "residue of men" (or "rest of mankind") seeking the Lord signifies a broad, open invitation to salvation for all who respond to God's call, breaking down previous ethnic barriers (Romans 10:12-13).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "that the residue of men might seek after the Lord" translates from the Greek which aligns closely with the Septuagint (LXX) version of Amos 9:12. The Hebrew Masoretic Text of Amos 9:12 reads slightly differently, focusing on Israel possessing the remnant of Edom and other nations. James's use of the Septuagint, which was common among Greek-speaking Jews and Gentiles, emphasizes the broader scope of "all mankind" (or "the rest of men") seeking God, rather than Israel possessing nations. This subtle difference was crucial for his argument regarding Gentile salvation.

Practical Application

Acts 15:17 continues to have profound implications for believers today:

  • Embracing Diversity: It reminds us that the church is inherently global and diverse, a testament to God's desire for all peoples to know Him. We should actively welcome and integrate people from every background.
  • Missionary Imperative: The verse reinforces the biblical basis for global missions, showing that reaching "all the Gentiles" is central to God's plan.
  • Unity in Christ: It teaches that our unity in Christ transcends ethnic, cultural, or social distinctions. Salvation is by grace through faith for all who believe, regardless of their background or previous religious practices (Ephesians 2:14-16 speaks of Christ breaking down the wall of division).
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

  • Zechariah 2:11

    And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

  • Zechariah 8:20

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts; [It shall] yet [come to pass], that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities:

  • Zechariah 8:23

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days [it shall come to pass], that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard [that] God [is] with you.

  • Isaiah 65:1

    ¶ I am sought of [them that] asked not [for me]; I am found of [them that] sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation [that] was not called by my name.

  • Hosea 2:23

    And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to [them which were] not my people, Thou [art] my people; and they shall say, [Thou art] my God.

  • Isaiah 66:18

    For I [know] their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

  • Isaiah 66:21

    And I will also take of them for priests [and] for Levites, saith the LORD.