Acts 15:23

KJV

And they wrote [letters] by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren [send] greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

KJV (with Strong's)

And they wrote {G1125} letters by {G1223} them {G5495}{G846} after this manner {G3592}; The apostles {G652} and {G2532} elders {G4245} and {G2532} brethren {G80} send greeting {G5463} unto the brethren {G80} which {G3588} are of {G1537} the Gentiles {G1484} in {G2596} Antioch {G490} and {G2532} Syria {G4947} and {G2532} Cilicia {G2791}:

Complete Jewish Bible

with the following letter:

From: The emissaries and the elders, your brothers

To: The brothers from among the Gentiles throughout Antioch, Syria and Cilicia

Greetings!

Berean Standard Bible

and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

American Standard Version

and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 15:23 initiates the formal communication from the Jerusalem Council, a pivotal letter dispatched to Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. This verse establishes the authoritative source of the letter—the apostles, elders, and brethren in Jerusalem—and identifies its intended recipients, setting the stage for the resolution of the critical theological dispute concerning the necessity of circumcision and adherence to Mosaic Law for Gentile converts. It underscores the early church's commitment to unity, pastoral care, and the widespread dissemination of its Spirit-guided decisions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 15:23 immediately follows the conclusion of the Jerusalem Council's deliberations, as detailed in [Acts 15:6-21](/acts/15-6-21 "Acts 15:6-21 - The Jerusalem Council's Deliberations"). The verse marks the transition from the internal debate and decision-making process within the leadership to the official communication of that decision to the broader church. Specifically, [Acts 15:22](/acts/15-22 "Acts 15:22 - The Decision to Send a Letter") describes the unanimous agreement to send Judas Barsabas and Silas, along with Paul and Barnabas, to Antioch with a letter. Verse 23 then begins the actual content of this crucial letter, setting the tone and identifying the senders and recipients before the detailed decree is presented in subsequent verses. This placement highlights the importance of authoritative, written communication in resolving significant theological and practical matters in the early Christian community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jerusalem Council, convened around 49-50 AD, addressed the most pressing theological crisis of the early church: whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law to be saved. This issue arose from the teaching of certain Jewish believers who insisted on these requirements ([Acts 15:1](/acts/15-1 "Acts 15:1 - The Circumcision Debate Begins")). The decision to send a formal letter was culturally significant, as written decrees from authoritative bodies were common in the Roman world for disseminating official rulings. The specific regions mentioned—Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia—were key areas where Paul and Barnabas had been ministering to significant Gentile populations, and where the controversy was particularly acute. Antioch, in particular, was a major hub for Gentile Christianity and the launching point for missionary journeys ([Acts 13:1-3](/acts/13-1-3 "Acts 13:1-3 - Paul and Barnabas Sent Out")). The letter's formal greeting and clear articulation of the council's decision aimed to provide clarity, prevent further division, and ensure unity across diverse Christian communities.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Acts. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Apostolic Authority and Unity**, demonstrating how the collective leadership of the apostles and elders, guided by the Holy Spirit, functioned to maintain doctrinal purity and organizational coherence ([Acts 15:28](/acts/15-28 "Acts 15:28 - The Holy Spirit's Guidance in the Council's Decree")). Secondly, it highlights the **Inclusion of Gentiles** into the covenant community without requiring adherence to Jewish ceremonial law, a foundational step in the church's universal mission. This decision was a radical departure from traditional Jewish thought and paved the way for the Gospel to spread unhindered to all nations, fulfilling the Great Commission found in [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). Finally, the act of writing and sending this letter exemplifies **Pastoral Care and Conciliation**, showing the leaders' deep concern for the spiritual well-being and unity of distant congregations, actively addressing confusion and fostering peace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wrote (Greek, _gráphō_):** This primary verb signifies the act of "graving" or inscribing, specifically to write. In this context, it emphasizes the intentional, formal, and permanent nature of the communication. The decision of the Jerusalem Council was not merely spoken but put into a written document, lending it authority and ensuring its precise dissemination. This act of writing underscores the gravity and the binding nature of the council's decree.
* **greeting (Greek, _chaírō_):** While literally meaning "to be cheerful" or "to rejoice," in this context, _chaírō_ functions as a standard and polite salutation in ancient Greek letters, equivalent to "farewell" or "be well." Its use here sets a benevolent and respectful tone for the letter, indicating that despite the contentious nature of the issue being addressed, the communication comes from a place of goodwill and a desire for peace and unity among believers.
* **Gentiles (Greek, _éthnos_):** This term refers to a race or tribe, specifically a foreign (non-Jewish) one, often implying pagan. In the New Testament, _éthnos_ is crucial for distinguishing non-Jewish peoples from the Jewish people. Here, it explicitly identifies the primary recipients of the letter, highlighting the revolutionary nature of the council's decision to fully integrate non-Jewish believers into the Christian community without requiring them to adopt Jewish ethnic markers or ceremonial laws. This word underscores the expansive, inclusive nature of the burgeoning Christian faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they wrote [letters] by them after this manner;":** This clause introduces the formal communication from the Jerusalem Council. "They" refers to the apostles and elders who convened the council. The phrase "by them" indicates that the letter was carried and delivered by specific individuals—Judas Barsabas and Silas, along with Paul and Barnabas—who could also verbally confirm and explain its contents, adding an extra layer of authenticity and clarity. "After this manner" signals that the following text is the exact content of the letter. This opening emphasizes the official, deliberate, and authoritative nature of the message.
* **"The apostles and elders and brethren [send] greeting":** This identifies the authoritative senders of the letter. The inclusion of "apostles," "elders," and "brethren" signifies a broad consensus and collective authority, not just a decision by a few leaders. "Apostles" refers to those directly commissioned by Christ, "elders" to the local church leaders, and "brethren" to the wider community of believers in Jerusalem. The "greeting" (Greek _chaírō_) is a standard, polite salutation, conveying goodwill and peace, setting a conciliatory tone for the crucial information that follows.
* **"unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:":** This specifies the recipients of the letter. "The brethren which are of the Gentiles" clearly indicates that the letter is addressed to non-Jewish Christians, emphasizing their full inclusion in the Christian fellowship. The geographical locations—Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia—were key areas where the Gentile mission had flourished and where the controversy regarding circumcision was particularly acute. This precise addressing demonstrates the council's direct response to the specific needs and challenges faced by these communities, ensuring the message reached those most affected by the debate.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Epistolary Form**, as it introduces a letter, a common literary convention for conveying authoritative messages in the ancient world. This form lends immediate weight and official status to the communication. The specific mention of "The apostles and elders and brethren" functions as a form of **Collective Authorship**, emphasizing the unanimous and broad-based authority behind the decree, rather than a singular decision. This collective voice enhances the legitimacy and persuasive power of the message. Furthermore, the precise geographical listing of "Antioch and Syria and Cilicia" uses **Specificity**, grounding the message in the real-world context of the early church's expansion and the particular communities affected by the theological dispute, making the letter directly relevant and actionable for its intended audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 15:23 serves as a foundational text for understanding the early church's process of discerning truth and maintaining unity amidst diversity. Theologically, it affirms the universal scope of the Gospel, demonstrating that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, accessible to all humanity regardless of ethnic or ceremonial distinctions. It highlights the Spirit-guided authority of the apostolic church in resolving doctrinal disputes, setting a precedent for communal discernment and the importance of official communication to preserve peace and truth within the body of Christ. This verse is a testament to the church's commitment to both theological integrity and pastoral care, ensuring that the message of Christ's inclusive salvation reached and unified believers across cultural divides.

* [Galatians 2:7-9](/galatians/2-7-9 "Galatians 2:7-9 - Paul's Ministry to Gentiles Affirmed")
* [Ephesians 2:11-16](/ephesians/2-11-16 "Ephesians 2:11-16 - Gentiles and Jews Reconciled in Christ")
* [Romans 15:7](/romans/15-7 "Romans 15:7 - Welcome One Another")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 15:23 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and the church today. It reminds us of the critical importance of clear, compassionate, and authoritative communication from spiritual leadership, especially when addressing divisive issues. Just as the Jerusalem Council sought to prevent schism by providing definitive guidance, modern church leaders are called to articulate biblical truth with both conviction and grace, fostering unity rather than division. This verse also powerfully underscores the principle of radical inclusion in the body of Christ. The early church, despite its Jewish roots, made a deliberate and Spirit-led decision to welcome Gentiles fully, without imposing unnecessary cultural or legalistic burdens. This challenges us to examine our own communities and ensure that our fellowship is genuinely welcoming to all, transcending cultural, ethnic, or socio-economic barriers, and focusing on the core truths of the Gospel that unite us in Christ. Finally, the collaborative decision-making process involving apostles, elders, and brethren models a healthy approach to church governance, emphasizing prayerful discernment, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to God's will for the church.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Jerusalem Council's method of resolving conflict, as introduced in this verse, inform our approach to disagreements within the church today?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or as a church, inadvertently place unnecessary cultural or traditional burdens on new believers or those from different backgrounds?**
* **What steps can we take to ensure that our church community embodies the radical inclusivity demonstrated by the early church towards Gentile believers?**

### FAQ
**Why was it necessary for the Jerusalem Council to send a written letter, rather than just verbal instructions?**

Answer: Sending a written letter, as indicated in [Acts 15:23](/acts/15-23 "Acts 15:23 - The Letter from Jerusalem"), was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it provided a formal, authoritative, and enduring record of the council's decision, preventing misinterpretation or distortion of the message as it traveled. Verbal instructions could easily be misunderstood or altered. Secondly, a written decree carried significant weight and legitimacy in the ancient world, similar to official government pronouncements. Thirdly, the letter could be read publicly in various congregations, ensuring that all believers, not just leaders, received the exact message. Finally, it demonstrated the unity and collective authority of the apostles, elders, and the entire Jerusalem church in addressing a contentious issue that threatened to divide the nascent Christian movement, particularly between Jewish and Gentile believers, as seen in [Acts 15:24](/acts/15-24 "Acts 15:24 - The Deceitful Teachers").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 15:23, while detailing an administrative act of the early church, profoundly points to Christ's fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for all humanity. The letter's purpose—to affirm the full inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant community without the need for circumcision or adherence to the Mosaic Law—is a direct consequence of Christ's atoning work. Through His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus broke down the "dividing wall of hostility" between Jew and Gentile, creating "one new humanity in himself" ([Ephesians 2:14-15](/ephesians/2-14-15 "Ephesians 2:14-15 - Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall")). The council's decision, guided by the Holy Spirit, was a practical outworking of the theological reality that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, not by works of the law ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). The "greeting" sent to the Gentile brethren foreshadows the ultimate peace and reconciliation found in Christ, who is "our peace" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). Thus, this administrative act of sending a letter is a powerful testament to the universal scope of Christ's redemption, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies of the nations coming to worship the true God through the Messiah ([Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Gentiles")) and demonstrating the unifying power of the Gospel as it transcends all human-made barriers.

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

Acts 23:26

Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix [sendeth] greeting.

James 1:1

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

Galatians 1:21

Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

Acts 15:22

¶ Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; [namely], Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Romans 16:3

Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

Romans 16:16

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

3 John 1:14

But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace [be] to thee. [Our] friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.