Acts 21:25

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

As {G1161} touching {G4012} the Gentiles {G1484} which believe {G4100}, we {G2249} have written {G1989} and concluded {G2919} that they {G846} observe {G5083} no {G3367} such thing {G5108}, save only {G1508} that they keep {G5442} themselves {G846} from {G5037} things offered to idols {G1494}, and {G2532} from blood {G129}, and {G2532} from strangled {G4156}, and {G2532} from fornication {G4202}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“However, in regard to the Goyim who have come to trust in Yeshua, we all joined in writing them a letter with our decision that they should abstain from what had been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled and from fornication.”

Berean Standard Bible

As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”

American Standard Version

But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 21:25 serves as a pivotal reminder of the Jerusalem Council's decree, affirming the freedom of Gentile believers from the ceremonial requirements of the Mosaic Law while simultaneously establishing essential ethical and relational guidelines for their conduct. This decision, communicated by James and the elders to Paul, aimed to foster unity and avoid offense between Jewish and Gentile Christians within the nascent church, emphasizing core moral purity over ritualistic adherence for the sake of fellowship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of Paul's final visit to Jerusalem, as recorded in the latter half of the book of Acts. Upon his arrival, Paul reports to James and the elders about his missionary successes among the Gentiles. However, they inform him of the widespread rumors among Jewish believers that Paul teaches Jews to abandon the Law of Moses. To alleviate these tensions and demonstrate his respect for Jewish customs, James advises Paul to participate in a purification ritual. In the midst of this discussion, James explicitly reiterates the earlier, foundational decision concerning Gentile converts, which was reached at the Jerusalem Council in [Acts 15](/acts/15 "Acts 15 - The Jerusalem Council"). This reiteration serves to confirm that while Jewish believers might still observe certain aspects of the Law, the church's position on Gentile freedom remained unchanged and authoritative.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian church was a diverse body comprising both Jewish and Gentile converts, creating significant cultural and theological challenges. Jewish believers, many of whom continued to observe aspects of the Mosaic Law, held deep-seated convictions regarding dietary laws, circumcision, and other purity regulations. Gentiles, on the other hand, came from pagan backgrounds where practices like eating food sacrificed to idols, consuming blood, and various forms of sexual immorality were common. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) was convened precisely to address the contentious question of whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law for salvation. The council's decree, reaffirmed in Acts 21:25, was a landmark decision that recognized salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, while also laying down practical guidelines to facilitate fellowship and avoid unnecessary offense between these two distinct cultural groups within the unified body of Christ.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 21:25 reinforces several crucial themes prevalent in the book of Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the **unity of the church** despite its diverse composition, demonstrating a commitment to finding common ground for fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers. The specific prohibitions were not salvific but practical measures to bridge cultural divides and promote harmony, reflecting the pursuit of peace and mutual edification as later articulated in [Romans 14:19](/romans/14-19 "Romans 14:19 - Pursue Peace"). Secondly, the verse highlights **Gentile freedom in Christ**, affirming that salvation is by grace through faith, not by adherence to the Mosaic Law. This foundational truth, established by the apostles, meant that Gentiles did not need to become Jewish proselytes to follow Christ, as seen in the council's decision in [Acts 15:11](/acts/15-11 "Acts 15:11 - Salvation by Grace"). Lastly, it emphasizes **core ethical standards** that transcend cultural or ceremonial law. Despite freedom from ritualistic requirements, the decree maintained universal moral principles against idolatry and sexual immorality, which were pervasive in the pagan world and fundamentally incompatible with Christian life. The prohibition against consuming blood also respected deep-seated Jewish sensibilities rooted in Old Testament commands, such as those found in [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Sanctity of Blood").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gentiles (Greek, _éthnos'_):** This term refers to a race or tribe, specifically a foreign (non-Jewish) one, often implying pagan origin. In the context of the early church, "Gentiles" designated those who were not ethnically Jewish and thus not under the Mosaic covenant. The inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian community without requiring full adherence to Jewish law was a revolutionary development, central to the apostolic mission and theological understanding.
* **concluded (Greek, _krínō'_):** Properly meaning "to distinguish" or "to decide," this word here signifies a definitive judgment or decree made by a governing body. It underscores the authoritative nature of the Jerusalem Council's decision, indicating that the apostles and elders had carefully deliberated and reached a binding resolution regarding the status and requirements for Gentile believers.
* **offered to idols (Greek, _eidōlóthyton'_):** This compound word literally means "image-sacrifice" or "part of an idolatrous offering." It refers to meat that had been sacrificed to pagan deities before being sold in the market or consumed in feasts. For Jewish believers, consuming such food was an abomination, associating them with idolatry. The prohibition aimed to prevent stumbling blocks and maintain clear boundaries against pagan practices, as further explored by Paul in [1 Corinthians 8](/1_corinthians/8 "1 Corinthians 8 - Food Offered to Idols").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As touching the Gentiles which believe":** This phrase clearly identifies the subject of the decree: those non-Jewish individuals who have embraced faith in Jesus Christ. It sets the scope of the council's decision, distinguishing them from Jewish believers who might still observe certain aspects of the Law.
* **"we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing":** This refers to the authoritative decision of the Jerusalem Council, documented in [Acts 15:28-29](/acts/15-28-29 "Acts 15:28-29 - The Jerusalem Council's Decree"). The "we" indicates James and the elders speaking on behalf of the apostolic leadership. "No such thing" refers to the ceremonial aspects of the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision and the full range of dietary laws, which the Jewish zealots insisted were necessary for salvation.
* **"save only that they keep themselves from [things] offered to idols":** This is the first of four specific prohibitions. It addresses the practice of consuming meat that had been part of pagan sacrifices. This was a critical point of contention and a potential source of defilement or stumbling for Jewish believers, as well as a compromise with idolatry for Gentiles.
* **"and from blood":** This prohibition refers to the consumption of animal blood, which was strictly forbidden in the Old Testament (e.g., [Leviticus 17:10-14](/leviticus/17-10-14 "Leviticus 17:10-14 - Prohibition Against Consuming Blood")) due to its sacred representation of life. This command was foundational for Jewish purity and reverence for life.
* **"and from strangled":** This refers to animals that were killed by strangulation, meaning their blood was not properly drained. This prohibition is directly related to the command against consuming blood, as an animal that was strangled would retain its blood, making its consumption a violation of the same principle.
* **"and from fornication":** This final prohibition addresses sexual immorality, a broad term encompassing various illicit sexual acts. Unlike the other three, which were primarily concerned with Jewish dietary and purity laws for the sake of fellowship, this prohibition is a universal moral command, reflecting God's consistent standard of holiness for all people, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its message effectively. **Legal Language** or **Decree** is prominent, reflecting the authoritative decision-making process of the early church council. Phrases like "we have written and concluded" underscore the formal and binding nature of their resolution. The structure of the prohibitions themselves utilizes **Anaphora** and **Parallelism** through the repeated "and from," creating a clear, emphatic list of the required abstentions. This repetitive structure makes the specific commands memorable and highlights their distinct yet related nature. Furthermore, the passage demonstrates **Conciseness** in its summary of a complex theological and practical issue, distilling the council's extensive discussions into a clear, actionable set of guidelines for Gentile believers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 21:25 powerfully reiterates the New Testament's emphasis on salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, distinct from adherence to the Mosaic Law, particularly for Gentiles. This theological freedom, however, is balanced by a profound call to Christian unity and practical holiness. The prohibitions, while not salvific, were crucial for fostering harmonious fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers, demonstrating a Christ-like sensitivity to the consciences of others and a commitment to avoid causing spiritual stumbling. They also underscore the enduring moral commands of God, which transcend cultural and ceremonial distinctions, particularly regarding idolatry and sexual purity. The early church's wisdom in navigating these tensions provides a timeless model for discerning essential doctrines from cultural preferences, prioritizing love and unity within the diverse body of Christ.

* [Acts 15:28-29](/acts/15-28-29 "Acts 15:28-29 - The Jerusalem Council's Decree") - The original decree from the Jerusalem Council.
* [1 Corinthians 8:10](/1_corinthians/8-10 "1 Corinthians 8:10 - Conscience and Food Offered to Idols") - Paul's discussion on the ethical implications of eating food offered to idols.
* [Romans 14:13](/romans/14-13 "Romans 14:13 - Do Not Cause a Brother to Stumble") - Paul's teaching on not putting a stumbling block in a brother's way.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 21:25 offers profound lessons for believers today, particularly in navigating cultural differences and maintaining unity within the church. It challenges us to discern between the foundational truths of the gospel, which are non-negotiable, and cultural practices or traditions that, while perhaps meaningful to some, are not universally binding for salvation or fellowship. Just as the early church prioritized unity by asking Gentiles to abstain from practices offensive to Jewish believers, we are called to exercise sensitivity and love towards those with different backgrounds or convictions. This means being willing to limit our freedoms for the sake of a weaker brother or sister, ensuring our actions promote peace and mutual edification rather than division or offense. Furthermore, the enduring moral prohibitions against idolatry and sexual immorality serve as a timeless reminder of God's consistent call to holiness for all believers, underscoring that while ceremonial laws may change, God's character and His ethical standards remain immutable. Our freedom in Christ is not a license for immorality but an empowerment for living a life that honors Him and builds up His body.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we discern between essential doctrines of faith and cultural practices in our own Christian communities today?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, demonstrate sensitivity and love towards others whose consciences or backgrounds differ from our own, without compromising biblical truth?**
* **What are contemporary "things offered to idols," "blood," "strangled," or "fornication" that Christians must guard against to maintain holiness and unity?**

### FAQ
**What was the purpose of the Jerusalem Council's decree regarding Gentiles?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the Jerusalem Council's decree, reiterated in [Acts 21:25](/acts/21-25 "Acts 21:25 - The Jerusalem Council's Decree Reaffirmed"), was to clarify that Gentile converts to Christianity did not need to undergo circumcision or adhere to the full Mosaic Law to be saved. This affirmed salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Additionally, the decree included four specific prohibitions (from things offered to idols, blood, strangled animals, and fornication) which were pragmatic measures aimed at fostering unity and harmonious fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers. These prohibitions addressed practices that were deeply offensive to Jewish sensibilities or fundamentally incompatible with Christian ethics, thereby removing stumbling blocks to shared life and worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 21:25, in its reaffirmation of the Jerusalem Council's decree, beautifully illustrates the Christ-centered fulfillment of the Law and the radical inclusivity of the new covenant. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ abolished the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Broke Down the Wall")), fulfilling the Law's demands and inaugurating a new way of salvation by grace through faith. The freedom granted to Gentiles from ceremonial law is a direct consequence of Christ's work, which rendered such rituals no longer necessary for righteousness. He is the ultimate Lamb, whose blood cleanses from all sin, making the Old Testament prohibitions concerning animal blood and strangled meat obsolete in terms of their salvific power, though the principle of respecting life remains. Furthermore, the enduring prohibitions against idolatry and fornication underscore that while Christ liberates us from the Law's curse, He calls us to a higher standard of holiness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This new life in Christ is characterized by love for God and neighbor, fostering a unity where believers, both Jew and Gentile, are brought near by the blood of Christ ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Brought Near by Christ's Blood")) and built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit ([Ephesians 2:22](/ephesians/2-22 "Ephesians 2:22 - A Dwelling Place for 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 15:29

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 15:19

Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

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.