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.

Then {G5119} Paul {G3972} took {G3880} the men {G435}, and the next {G2192} day {G2250} purifying himself {G48} with {G4862} them {G846} entered {G1524} into {G1519} the temple {G2411}, to signify {G1229} the accomplishment {G1604} of the days {G2250} of purification {G49}, until {G2193} that {G3739} an offering {G4376} should be offered {G4374} for {G5228} every {G1538} one {G1520} of them {G846}.

The next day Sha’ul took the men, purified himself along with them and entered the Temple to give notice of when the period of purification would be finished and the offering would have to be made for each of them.

So the next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he entered the temple to give notice of the date when their purification would be complete and the offering would be made for each of them.

Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.

Context of Acts 21:26

This verse describes Paul's actions upon arriving in Jerusalem and meeting with James and the elders of the church. Having been informed of widespread rumors that he was teaching Jews to forsake the Law of Moses, Paul was advised to publicly demonstrate his respect for Jewish customs. Specifically, he was to join four Jewish Christians who had taken a Nazirite vow and pay for their purification rites and offerings. This act was intended to show that Paul himself "walkest orderly, and keepest the law" (Acts 21:24). Acts 21:26 details Paul’s immediate obedience to this counsel, entering the temple to signify the completion of the purification period for these men, which would culminate in a required sacrifice.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Cultural Sensitivity and Unity: Paul, who championed freedom from the Law for Gentile believers, willingly participates in a Jewish ceremonial ritual. This demonstrates his profound commitment to unity within the early church and his strategic approach to ministry. It reflects his principle of becoming "all things to all men" to win some (1 Corinthians 9:22), not compromising the Gospel but accommodating cultural practices where appropriate to avoid offense and foster understanding.
  • Dispelling False Accusations: Paul's public participation was a direct response to false accusations that he was anti-Law or anti-Jewish. By engaging in a temple ritual, he sought to refute these claims and maintain his credibility among Jewish believers, particularly those zealous for the Law.
  • The Enduring Role of the Temple: For Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, the Temple still held significant cultural and religious importance, even after Christ's atoning sacrifice. This verse illustrates the transitional period of the early church, where traditional Jewish practices coexisted with the new covenant understanding, especially for those born into Judaism.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "purifying himself" refers to the Jewish ritual cleansing required for those who had completed a Nazirite vow or had become ritually defiled. This purification involved specific ceremonies and abstentions for a set number of days. The "offering" mentioned refers to the sacrifices mandated by the Law at the conclusion of a Nazirite vow, typically including a lamb for a burnt offering, a ewe for a sin offering, and a ram for a peace offering, along with bread and drink offerings (Numbers 6:13-20). Paul's willingness to bear the expense for these men's offerings was a significant act of support and solidarity.

Practical Application

Acts 21:26 offers valuable lessons for believers today. It highlights the importance of wisdom and discernment in navigating cultural differences within the body of Christ. While our salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, Paul's example teaches us to be sensitive to the consciences and traditions of others, especially if it helps build bridges and remove unnecessary stumbling blocks to the Gospel. It encourages us to address misunderstandings and false accusations with humility and integrity, demonstrating our commitment to truth and unity without compromising core biblical principles. This act of Paul's underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing Christian liberty with love and respect for diverse backgrounds within the church.

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 24:18

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

  • Numbers 6:13

    And this [is] the law of the Nazarite, when the days of his separation are fulfilled: he shall be brought unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:

  • Numbers 6:20

    And the priest shall wave them [for] a wave offering before the LORD: this [is] holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.

  • 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.

  • 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;

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