Acts 16:4

KJV

And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} as {G5613} they went through {G1279} the cities {G4172}, they delivered {G3860} them {G846} the decrees {G1378} for to keep {G5442}, that were ordained {G2919} of {G5259} the apostles {G652} and {G2532} elders {G4245} which {G3588} were at {G1722} Jerusalem {G2419}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As they went on through the towns, they delivered to the people the decisions reached by the emissaries and the elders in Yerushalayim for them to observe.

Berean Standard Bible

As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.

American Standard Version

And as they went on their way through the cities, they delivered them the decrees to keep which had been ordained of the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 16:4 captures a crucial moment in Paul's second missionary journey, illustrating the early church's commitment to disseminating and upholding the authoritative decisions made by its leadership. As Paul, Silas, and Timothy traversed various cities, they faithfully delivered the decrees from the Jerusalem Council, ensuring that new and existing congregations understood the unified apostolic teaching regarding Gentile converts and the practical implications for their fellowship, thereby reinforcing doctrinal clarity and ecclesiastical unity across the burgeoning Christian community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of Paul's decision to take Timothy with him (Acts 16:1-3) and serves as a direct continuation of the narrative from [Acts 15](/acts/15 "Acts 15 - The Jerusalem Council"). The preceding chapter details the pivotal Jerusalem Council, where the apostles and elders convened to address the contentious issue of whether Gentile believers needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law for salvation. [Acts 15:22-29](/acts/15-22-29 "Acts 15:22-29 - The Council's Decision") records the council's decision, which affirmed salvation by grace through faith for Gentiles, while also establishing practical guidelines to foster unity and avoid offense between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Acts 16:4 demonstrates the practical implementation of this decision, showing Paul and his companions actively communicating these resolutions to the churches they visited, thereby solidifying the theological and practical framework for the expanding Gentile mission.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church was grappling with its identity as it expanded beyond its Jewish roots. The question of Gentile inclusion, particularly concerning circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law, was a significant point of contention, threatening to divide the nascent Christian movement. Jewish believers, steeped in centuries of covenantal law, struggled to accept Gentiles as full members of God's people without requiring these traditional markers. The Jerusalem Council (c. AD 49-50) was a landmark event that provided an authoritative resolution to this conflict. The decrees, outlined in [Acts 15:28-29](/acts/15-28-29 "Acts 15:28-29 - The Jerusalem Decrees"), were a compromise that affirmed the theological truth of salvation by grace while also addressing practical concerns for inter-community fellowship. Paul's mission to deliver these decrees highlights the importance of unified doctrine and practice in a geographically dispersed and culturally diverse church, aiming to prevent schism and ensure consistent understanding of the Gospel.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 16:4 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores **Apostolic Authority and Unity**, demonstrating how the early church's leadership, guided by the Holy Spirit, made binding decisions that were respected and disseminated throughout the Christian communities. This established a precedent for doctrinal consistency and ecclesiastical order. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Gospel Clarity and Inclusivity**, affirming that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, accessible to both Jews and Gentiles without the burden of the Mosaic Law, a truth central to Paul's theology as seen in [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith"). Thirdly, the verse subtly highlights **Practical Wisdom and Fellowship**, as the decrees, while affirming grace, also provided guidelines (e.g., abstaining from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled animals, and from sexual immorality) designed to facilitate harmonious relationships between Jewish and Gentile believers, prioritizing love and unity over legalistic adherence, as also emphasized in [Romans 14:13-23](/romans/14-13-23 "Romans 14:13-23 - Do Not Cause Others to Stumble").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **decrees (Greek, _dógma'_):** From G1378, this word refers to a law (civil, ceremonial, or ecclesiastical), an ordinance, or an authoritative decision. In this context, it specifically denotes the binding resolutions made by the Jerusalem Council, emphasizing their official and foundational nature for the early church's practice and theology. These were not mere suggestions but authoritative pronouncements intended to guide the conduct and doctrine of believers across various congregations.
* **delivered (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** From G3860, meaning "to surrender, i.e. yield up, intrust, transmit." This word highlights the active role of Paul and his companions in formally conveying these decisions. It implies a deliberate and responsible act of transmission, ensuring that the churches received the authoritative teaching directly from the apostles and elders, thereby establishing a chain of accountability and proper dissemination.
* **ordained (Greek, _krínō'_):** From G2919, meaning "to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish; to decree, determine." This term underscores the judicial and authoritative process by which the decrees were established. It signifies that the decisions were not arbitrary but were the result of careful deliberation and judgment by the apostles and elders, carrying the weight of divine guidance and collective wisdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And as they went through the cities":** This phrase sets the scene for Paul's ongoing missionary activity. It emphasizes the dynamic and itinerant nature of his ministry, indicating that the delivery of these decrees was an integral part of their evangelistic and church-planting efforts, not a separate, isolated task. It shows the widespread application intended for the council's decisions.
* **"they delivered them the decrees for to keep":** This clause specifies the action and its purpose. Paul and his team were not just preaching the Gospel but also ensuring the structural and doctrinal integrity of the nascent churches. The "decrees" (dógmata) were authoritative decisions, and the phrase "for to keep" (phylássō) indicates that these were meant to be observed and obeyed, signifying their binding nature for the Christian communities.
* **"that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem":** This final part establishes the source and authority of the decrees. It clearly attributes them to the collective wisdom and authority of the leading apostles and elders in Jerusalem, specifically those who had convened at the council. This legitimizes the decrees, grounding them in the recognized leadership of the early church and indicating a unified, Spirit-guided decision-making process.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 16:4 effectively uses **Narrative Progression** to advance the story of the early church's expansion, showing Paul's journey not just as one of evangelism but also of consolidation and organization. The verse employs **Authoritative Language** through terms like "decrees" (dógmata) and "ordained" (krínō), emphasizing the binding nature of the decisions from Jerusalem and the established hierarchy within the early Christian movement. This also serves as **Thematic Reinforcement**, reiterating the themes of unity and sound doctrine that were central to the Jerusalem Council's resolution. The concise nature of the verse, despite its significant implications, demonstrates **Economical Narration**, conveying a great deal of information about the practical outworking of theological decisions in a few words.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 16:4 profoundly illustrates the early church's commitment to both theological truth and practical unity. The decrees, while affirming salvation by grace for Gentiles, also provided guidelines to foster harmonious fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers, demonstrating a balance between doctrinal purity and relational wisdom. This reflects a foundational understanding that the Gospel not only transforms individuals but also creates a new community, the church, which must strive for unity in diversity, guided by Spirit-led leadership. The passage underscores the importance of authoritative teaching and its dissemination for the health and growth of the global body of Christ, ensuring that all believers operate from a common understanding of God's will and the implications of the New Covenant.

* [Acts 15:28-29](/acts/15-28-29 "Acts 15:28-29 - The Jerusalem Decrees")
* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God is a God of Order")
* [Ephesians 4:1-3](/ephesians/4-1-3 "Ephesians 4:1-3 - Unity in the Body of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 16:4 offers timeless principles for the church today. Just as the early church faced internal challenges regarding doctrine and practice, contemporary churches must continually strive for clarity in their theological understanding and unity in their expression of faith. The willingness of Paul and his companions to faithfully deliver the decrees, and the churches' willingness to receive them, highlights the importance of respecting spiritual authority and maintaining accountability within the broader body of Christ. This verse reminds us that true Christian fellowship is built not only on shared belief but also on practical wisdom that seeks to minimize unnecessary offense and maximize love among diverse believers. It calls us to discern what is essential for salvation and what constitutes a matter of conscience or cultural preference, always prioritizing the unity of the Spirit and the advancement of the Gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the example of the Jerusalem decrees inform our approach to doctrinal disagreements or practical differences within the church today?**
* **In what ways can we, as individual believers and as a church community, better uphold and disseminate sound doctrine while fostering unity among diverse members?**
* **What is the balance between individual conscience and submission to collective, Spirit-led authority in the life of a Christian community?**

### FAQ

**What was the purpose of these "decrees" and why were they so important for the early church?**

Answer: The "decrees" (Greek: _dógmata_) were the official, authoritative decisions made by the Jerusalem Council, detailed in [Acts 15](/acts/15 "Acts 15 - The Jerusalem Council"). Their primary purpose was twofold: first, to clarify the theological truth that Gentile converts did not need to be circumcised or observe the Mosaic Law to be saved, affirming salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (as seen in [Acts 15:11](/acts/15-11 "Acts 15:11 - Salvation by Grace")). This was crucial for maintaining the purity of the Gospel message and preventing legalism. Second, the decrees provided practical guidelines for Gentile believers to foster unity and harmonious fellowship with Jewish Christians. These guidelines, such as abstaining from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled animals, and from sexual immorality ([Acts 15:28-29](/acts/15-28-29 "Acts 15:28-29 - The Jerusalem Decrees")), were designed to avoid unnecessary offense and bridge cultural gaps, ensuring that the expanding church could grow in unity despite its diverse backgrounds. They were important because they established a unified doctrinal and practical foundation for the global church, preventing schism and enabling the unhindered spread of the Gospel to all nations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 16:4, by highlighting the dissemination of the Jerusalem decrees, points profoundly to Christ's central role in breaking down barriers and establishing a new covenant community. The very need for these decrees arose from the tension between the Old Covenant's ceremonial law and the New Covenant's radical inclusivity through Christ. The decision that Gentiles did not need to be circumcised for salvation directly reflects the finished work of Christ, who, through His death and resurrection, fulfilled the Law and inaugurated a new way of salvation by grace through faith ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ the End of the Law")). Christ Himself is our peace, having "broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility" between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")). The decrees, therefore, were a practical outworking of Christ's unifying power, ensuring that His body, the church, would truly be "one new humanity" ([Ephesians 2:15](/ephesians/2-15 "Ephesians 2:15 - One New Humanity")), where there is "neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - All One in Christ")). Thus, the apostles and elders, guided by the Holy Spirit, were simply articulating the implications of Christ's redemptive work, ensuring that the church lived out the glorious freedom and unity purchased by the Lamb of God.

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 15:28

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

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.

Acts 15:2

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Acts 15:6

¶ And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

Acts 11:30

Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.