Acts 21:24

Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave [their] heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but [that] thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

Them {G5128} take {G3880}, and purify thyself {G48} with {G4862} them {G846}, and {G2532} be at charges {G1159} with {G1909} them {G846}, that {G2443} they may shave {G3587} their heads {G2776}: and {G2532} all {G3956} may know {G1097} that those things {G3754}, whereof {G3739} they were informed {G2727} concerning {G4012} thee {G4675}, are {G2076} nothing {G3762}; but {G235} that thou thyself {G846} also {G2532} walkest orderly {G4748}, and keepest {G5442} the law {G3551}.

Take them with you, be purified with them, and pay the expenses connected with having their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is nothing to these rumors which they have heard about you; but that, on the contrary, you yourself stay in line and keep the Torah.

Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law.

these take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law.

Acts 21:24 records James and the elders of the Jerusalem church advising the Apostle Paul on how to dispel widespread rumors among Jewish believers concerning his teaching and practice.

Context

Upon Paul's arrival in Jerusalem after his third missionary journey, he met with James and the elders, who glorified God for his ministry among the Gentiles. However, they also informed him of a significant problem: thousands of Jewish believers were zealous for the Law, and they had heard false reports that Paul was teaching Jews among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, not to circumcise their children, and not to walk according to the customs (Acts 21:21). To counter these accusations and demonstrate his respect for Jewish customs (where they did not contradict the gospel of grace), they proposed a plan.

Key Themes

  • Dispelling False Accusations: The primary goal of this action was to publicly refute the misinformation circulating about Paul. The elders wanted "all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing." This highlights the importance of addressing slander and misrepresentation, especially in ministry.
  • Cultural Sensitivity and Unity: Paul, known for his emphasis on freedom from the Law for salvation, was willing to participate in a Jewish purification ritual. This demonstrates his principle of becoming "all things to all men" to remove stumbling blocks and promote unity within the body of Christ, particularly between Jewish and Gentile believers.
  • Respect for Lawful Customs: The elders explicitly state that Paul "walkest orderly, and keepest the law." This does not imply Paul believed salvation came through law-keeping, but that he lived a disciplined life and adhered to Jewish customs when appropriate, especially among Jews, acknowledging their heritage and traditions. The Nazirite vow (see Numbers 6:2) was a voluntary separation unto God, often involving abstinence and not cutting hair, concluded with an offering and shaving of the head.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "be at charges with them" means to pay the expenses for the sacrifices and offerings required to complete the Nazirite vow. This was a significant financial gesture, further demonstrating Paul's solidarity and respect for the men and the tradition.
  • "Walkest orderly" (Greek: stoicheis) implies living in conformity, walking in line with, or adhering to. Here, it signifies that Paul's life and conduct were consistent with the principles of a devout Jew, within the bounds of his Christian faith, dispelling the notion that he was an anarchist concerning Jewish customs.

Practical Application

This passage offers several lessons for believers today:

  • Address Misunderstandings: It is often necessary to actively clear up false reports or misunderstandings, especially when they hinder the gospel or create division.
  • Prioritize Unity: Paul's willingness to participate in a culturally significant (though not salvific) ritual for the sake of unity underscores the importance of seeking harmony within the church, even if it requires personal inconvenience or compromise on non-essential matters.
  • Live Consistently: Our lives should reflect the truth of our faith, demonstrating that we "walk orderly" and do not bring disrepute to the name of Christ through careless living or unnecessary offense. While we are free in Christ, that freedom is not a license to disregard all cultural or traditional sensitivities that do not contradict God's Word (1 Corinthians 8:9).
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 21:26

    Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

  • Acts 24:18

    Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

  • Acts 18:18

    ¶ And Paul [after this] tarried [there] yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn [his] head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

  • Exodus 19:14

    And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:20

    And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

  • 2 Chronicles 30:18

    For a multitude of the people, [even] many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one

  • 2 Chronicles 30:19

    [That] prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though [he be] not [cleansed] according to the purification of the sanctuary.

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