Acts 15:24

KJV

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, [Ye must] be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no [such] commandment:

KJV (with Strong's)

Forasmuch as {G1894} we have heard {G191}, that {G3754} certain {G5100} which went out {G1831} from {G1537} us {G2257} have troubled {G5015} you {G5209} with words {G3056}, subverting {G384} your {G5216} souls {G5590}, saying {G3004}, Ye must be circumcised {G4059}, and {G2532} keep {G5083} the law {G3551}: to whom {G3739} we gave {G1291} no {G3756} such commandment {G1291}:

Complete Jewish Bible

We have heard that some people went out from among us without our authorization, and that they have upset you with their talk, unsettling your minds.

Berean Standard Bible

It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said.

American Standard Version

Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 15:24 captures the authoritative declaration of the Jerusalem Council, disavowing a group of unauthorized teachers who were spreading a disruptive and false gospel among Gentile believers. This pivotal verse highlights the council's firm stance against legalism, explicitly stating that these individuals, who insisted on circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation, acted entirely without apostolic commission, thereby "subverting" the spiritual well-being of new converts and threatening the unity of the nascent church.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct excerpt from the official letter dispatched by the apostles and elders gathered at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:6-21). The council was convened in response to a significant theological dispute that arose in Antioch, where certain Jewish believers from Judea began teaching Gentile converts that "unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved" ([Acts 15:1](/acts/15-1 "Acts 15:1 - The Dispute in Antioch")). This teaching caused "no small dissension and debate" ([Acts 15:2](/acts/15-2 "Acts 15:2 - Paul and Barnabas Go to Jerusalem")), prompting Paul and Barnabas to travel to Jerusalem for an authoritative resolution. After extensive debate and testimonies from Peter, Barnabas, Paul, and James, the council concluded that Gentile believers were not required to be circumcised or to keep the Mosaic Law for salvation. Acts 15:24-29 records the formal letter sent to the churches in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, conveying this crucial decision and clarifying the council's position on the unauthorized teachers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church faced immense pressure to define its relationship with Judaism, particularly concerning the inclusion of Gentiles. For centuries, circumcision had been the covenant sign for Jewish males, a fundamental marker of identity and belonging to God's chosen people ([Genesis 17:9-14](/genesis/17-9-14 "Genesis 17:9-14 - The Covenant of Circumcision")). Adherence to the Mosaic Law, including dietary restrictions and Sabbath observance, was central to Jewish life and piety. The "certain ones" mentioned in this verse were likely Jewish Christians, often called "Judaizers," who believed that Gentile converts needed to fully convert to Judaism—including circumcision and law-keeping—before they could be considered true followers of the Jewish Messiah. This perspective deeply threatened the core gospel message of salvation by grace through faith alone, as it imposed a heavy cultural and religious burden on Gentiles and undermined the universal nature of Christ's redemptive work. The council's decision was therefore a landmark moment, preventing a schism between Jewish and Gentile believers and affirming the gospel's accessibility to all nations without prerequisite adherence to Jewish ceremonial law.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 15:24 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Salvation by Grace Through Faith**, unequivocally rejecting any requirement of works (like circumcision or law-keeping) for justification, aligning with Paul's later theological treatises in [Galatians](/galatians/1 "The Book of Galatians") and [Romans](/romans/1 "The Book of Romans"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Authority of the Apostles and Elders** in preserving doctrinal purity and maintaining church unity. The council's collective decision, guided by the Holy Spirit, established a precedent for resolving theological disputes and distinguishing authentic teaching from false doctrine. Thirdly, it addresses the pervasive danger of **False Teaching and Legalism**, identifying those who add burdens to the gospel as "troubling" and "subverting" the souls of believers. This concern for the spiritual well-being of the flock and the integrity of the gospel message is a recurring motif throughout the New Testament, as seen in warnings against false teachers in [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1-3 "2 Peter 2:1-3 - Warnings Against False Teachers") and [Titus 1:10-11](/titus/1-10-11 "Titus 1:10-11 - Rebuking False Teachers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **troubled (Greek, _tarássō'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to stir or agitate," conveys a sense of disturbance, confusion, and distress. In the context of Acts 15:24, it indicates that the teachings of the Judaizers were not merely intellectual disagreements but caused significant emotional and spiritual turmoil among the Gentile converts, unsettling their peace and assurance in Christ.
* **subverting (Greek, _anaskeuázō'_):** This strong term, meaning "to pack up baggage," "to demolish," or "to dismantle," vividly illustrates the destructive nature of the false teaching. It implies that the Judaizers were not just confusing but actively overturning or dismantling the spiritual foundation and faith of the believers, leading to a complete upheaval of their understanding of salvation and their relationship with God. It suggests a stripping away of their spiritual security.
* **commandment (Greek, _diastéllomai'_):** This term, in its middle voice, means "to set oneself apart" or "to enjoin." In this context, it refers to an authoritative directive or instruction. The council's emphatic declaration that they "gave no such commandment" underscores the complete lack of legitimate apostolic authority behind the Judaizers' teachings, effectively labeling them as self-appointed and unauthorized agents.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us":** This opening clause establishes the council's awareness of the problem. The phrase "certain which went out from us" indicates that the false teachers had some prior association with the Jerusalem church, perhaps even claiming its endorsement, but the council immediately clarifies that their departure and subsequent actions were independent and unauthorized.
* **"have troubled you with words, subverting your souls":** This describes the negative impact of the false teaching. The "words" of the Judaizers were not innocuous; they were actively "troubling" (causing distress and agitation) and "subverting" (dismantling or overturning) the very "souls" (the innermost being, spiritual life, and faith) of the Gentile converts. This highlights the severe spiritual danger posed by such doctrines.
* **"saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law":** This specifies the content of the false teaching. The core of the Judaizers' message was the insistence that Gentile believers needed to undergo circumcision and adhere to the Mosaic Law as a prerequisite for salvation. This directly contradicted the gospel of grace proclaimed by Paul and Barnabas.
* **"to whom we gave no such commandment":** This is the crucial repudiation. The council unequivocally denies having authorized or commissioned these teachers to spread such a message. This statement serves as a definitive declaration of the false teachers' lack of legitimate authority and the invalidity of their doctrine, thereby protecting the integrity of the gospel and the spiritual well-being of the Gentile churches.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 15:24 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its urgent message. The use of **Contrast** is prominent, setting the unauthorized, troubling words of the Judaizers against the authoritative, unifying declaration of the council. The phrase "subverting your souls" functions as a potent **Metaphor**, portraying the false teachings not merely as errors but as destructive forces that dismantle the spiritual foundation of a person's faith, much like tearing down a building. The council's direct and emphatic denial, "to whom we gave no such commandment," serves as a forceful **Rhetorical Device** of repudiation, leaving no ambiguity about the illegitimate nature of the Judaizers' claims and underscoring the gravity of their deception. This directness adds weight and authority to the entire letter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 15:24 stands as a theological cornerstone, firmly establishing the early church's understanding of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, independent of works of the Mosaic Law. It represents a watershed moment where the nascent Christian movement decisively distinguished itself from its Jewish roots concerning the means of justification. The council's ruling affirmed that the new covenant in Christ superseded the Old Covenant's ceremonial requirements for Gentiles, ensuring that the gospel remained a message of freedom and not a new form of legalistic bondage. This decision not only preserved the purity of the gospel but also laid the groundwork for the universal expansion of Christianity, welcoming all people into God's family without cultural or ethnic barriers. It underscores the vital role of apostolic authority in safeguarding truth and maintaining the unity of the body of Christ against divisive doctrines.

* [Galatians 5:1-4](/galatians/5-1-4 "Galatians 5:1-4 - Freedom in Christ")
* [Romans 3:28](/romans/3-28 "Romans 3:28 - Justification by Faith")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 15:24 serves as a timeless warning and a powerful reminder for believers today. It calls us to exercise vigilant discernment, recognizing that false teachings can emerge even from within the broader Christian community, often cloaked in spiritual language or traditional practices. The "subverting" nature of these doctrines highlights their potential to undermine the very foundation of our faith and assurance in Christ. We are reminded that true salvation is a free gift, received by grace through faith, and any attempt to add human works, rituals, or legalistic requirements as conditions for God's favor or acceptance fundamentally distorts the gospel. This verse encourages us to stand firm in the freedom Christ has purchased for us, to guard the purity of the gospel message, and to uphold the unity of the church by rejecting divisive doctrines that place unnecessary burdens on believers or diminish the sufficiency of Christ's finished work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can I discern between genuine biblical teaching and doctrines that might "subvert" my soul or others'?**
* **In what subtle ways might legalism or "keeping the law" creep into my understanding of salvation or spiritual growth today?**
* **How does the Jerusalem Council's response to false teaching inform my responsibility to protect the gospel and promote unity in my own church community?**

### FAQ

**Who were "certain which went out from us" and why did the council disavow them?**

Answer: The phrase "certain which went out from us" refers to Jewish believers who originated from Jerusalem or Judea but were teaching Gentile converts that they "must be circumcised, and keep the law" to be saved. The Jerusalem Council explicitly disavowed them because these teachers were spreading a doctrine (salvation through circumcision and Mosaic Law observance) that contradicted the apostolic understanding of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. The council stated that they "gave no such commandment," meaning these individuals acted without any legitimate authority or commission from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. Their teaching was seen as a dangerous distortion of the gospel and a threat to the unity of the church, as it placed an unnecessary and unbiblical burden on Gentile believers, as discussed throughout [Acts 15](/acts/15 "Acts 15 - The Jerusalem Council").

**What does "subverting your souls" mean in this context?**

Answer: The Greek word translated "subverting" (anaskeuázō) is a strong term meaning to "dismantle," "demolish," or "overturn." In this context, it means that the false teachers were actively undermining or destroying the spiritual foundation and faith of the Gentile believers. Their teaching that salvation required circumcision and law-keeping was not just confusing; it was spiritually damaging, leading to doubt, distress, and a distorted understanding of God's grace. It implied a complete upheaval of their newfound peace and assurance in Christ, replacing it with a burdensome system of works, as Paul later warns against in [Galatians 1:6-9](/galatians/1-6-9 "Galatians 1:6-9 - Another Gospel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 15:24, with its emphatic rejection of legalism, profoundly points to Christ as the sole and sufficient means of salvation. The insistence by the Judaizers on circumcision and law-keeping represented an attempt to add human effort to God's divine provision, effectively diminishing the completeness of Christ's atoning work. However, the Jerusalem Council's decree, rooted in the understanding that salvation is by grace through faith, highlights that Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the Law, rendering its ceremonial requirements no longer necessary for justification ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the End of the Law")). He is the ultimate Lamb of God, whose single sacrifice takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), establishing a new covenant in His blood that offers full forgiveness and new life to all who believe, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). The "subverting" of souls by false teaching is overcome by the liberating truth of Christ's finished work, which grants true freedom and peace, uniting Jew and Gentile into one body through His Spirit, without the need for burdensome external regulations ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Thus, Acts 15:24 ultimately celebrates the expansive, inclusive, and grace-filled nature of the gospel, all centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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

Galatians 5:12

I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

Titus 1:10

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

Titus 1:11

Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Acts 15:1

¶ And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Galatians 5:10

I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

Galatians 1:7

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

1 John 2:19

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.