Acts 15:29

That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

That ye abstain {G567} from meats offered to idols {G1494}, and {G2532} from blood {G129}, and {G2532} from things strangled {G4156}, and {G2532} from fornication {G4202}: from {G1537} which {G3739} if ye keep {G1301} yourselves {G1438}, ye shall do {G4238} well {G2095}. Fare ye well {G4517}.

to abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these, you will be doing the right thing.

Shalom!

You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.

Context

Acts 15:29 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating part of the resolution from the Jerusalem Council, a critical meeting of the early church described in Acts chapter 15. The primary issue debated was whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and adhere to the full Mosaic Law to be saved. The apostles and elders, led by James, concluded that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the Law. However, to foster unity and prevent unnecessary offense between Jewish and Gentile believers, they issued a decree outlining a few essential abstentions. This verse lists those specific prohibitions.

Key Themes

  • Christian Unity and Fellowship: The prohibitions were not conditions for salvation but practical guidelines to facilitate harmonious fellowship between Jewish Christians, who were accustomed to strict dietary and moral codes, and Gentile converts. It demonstrated a willingness to accommodate for the sake of the body of Christ, echoing principles found in Romans 14:13 regarding not causing a brother to stumble.
  • Moral Purity: "Fornication" (porneias) stands out as a universal moral command, distinguishing it from the other three which had strong cultural and religious significance for Jewish people. This highlights the early church's consistent emphasis on sexual purity as a core aspect of Christian conduct, a theme frequently addressed in epistles like 1 Thessalonians 4:3.
  • Sensitivity to Conscience: The dietary restrictions (meat offered to idols, blood, things strangled) were deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and the Old Testament Law (Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 17:10-14). While Paul later expounds on the liberty concerning meat offered to idols in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10, the initial decree prioritized avoiding offense and maintaining peace within the nascent Christian community.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Meats offered to idols" (Greek: eidōlothyta): This refers to food that had been part of pagan sacrificial rituals. Consuming such meat, especially in temples or associated feasts, was seen as participating in idolatry or at least causing severe discomfort to Jewish believers.
  • "Blood" (Greek: haimatos): The prohibition against consuming blood was ancient and deeply ingrained, dating back to Noah (Genesis 9:4) and reiterated throughout the Mosaic Law. Blood represented life, and its consumption was considered sacred or forbidden for various reasons related to the atonement and sanctity of life.
  • "Things strangled" (Greek: pniktou): This refers to animals that were suffocated rather than properly bled out. The prohibition is closely linked to the command against consuming blood, ensuring the meat was prepared in a way that respected the sanctity of life as understood by Jewish law.
  • "Fornication" (Greek: porneias): This is a broad term encompassing all forms of illicit sexual immorality, a practice widespread in the pagan world but strictly condemned in Jewish and Christian ethics.

Practical Application

While the specific dietary restrictions in Acts 15:29 may not apply to all Christians today in the same way (as clarified by Paul in his epistles, focusing on conscience and liberty), the underlying principles remain profoundly relevant:

  • Prioritizing Unity and Love: Believers are called to walk in love and to consider the conscience of others, especially those weaker in faith. Our Christian liberty should not become a stumbling block for others (Romans 14:21).
  • Maintaining Moral Purity: The command against fornication is timeless and universal, reminding us of God's call to holiness in all aspects of our lives, particularly sexual conduct (1 Corinthians 6:18).
  • Discernment in Cultural Contexts: The early church's decision demonstrates wisdom in navigating cultural differences for the sake of the Gospel and community. Today, this might involve being sensitive to local customs or the convictions of fellow believers, even when not explicitly commanded by scripture.
  • Focusing on Essentials: The council distinguished between ceremonial laws and core moral truths, emphasizing that salvation is by grace, while practical guidelines support holy living and harmonious relationships.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 15:20

    But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and [from] fornication, and [from] things strangled, and [from] blood.

  • Acts 21:25

    As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written [and] concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from [things] offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

  • Revelation 2:20

    Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

  • Revelation 2:14

    But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:18

    Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

  • 1 Corinthians 10:20

    But [I say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

  • Leviticus 17:14

    For [it is] the life of all flesh; the blood of it [is] for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh [is] the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.

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