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Acts 15:20

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

But {G235} that we write {G1989} unto them {G846}, that they abstain {G567} from {G575} pollutions {G234} of idols {G1497}, and {G2532} from fornication {G4202}, and {G2532} from things strangled {G4156}, and {G2532} from blood {G129}.

Instead, we should write them a letter telling them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from fornication, from what is strangled and from blood.

Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.

but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.

Commentary

Acts 15:20 is a pivotal verse from the Jerusalem Council, outlining key concessions or guidelines for Gentile believers joining the early Christian church. This decision aimed to foster unity between Jewish and Gentile converts while upholding fundamental moral and spiritual principles.

Context

This verse comes from the momentous Jerusalem Council, a gathering of apostles and elders convened to address a critical theological and practical dispute: whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and observe the full Mosaic Law to be saved. Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James all spoke, affirming salvation by grace through faith, not by works of the Law. The decree, delivered by James, sought a balanced approach. While not imposing the entire Law, the Council, guided by the Holy Spirit (as stated in Acts 15:28), decided upon a few necessary prohibitions to ensure harmonious fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers and to avoid practices deeply offensive to Jewish sensibilities, rooted in Old Testament law and pagan associations.

Key Themes

  • Christian Unity and Fellowship: The primary goal was to remove unnecessary stumbling blocks that would hinder Jewish and Gentile believers from sharing fellowship, especially at table.
  • Moral Purity and Spiritual Separation: The prohibitions, particularly concerning idol pollutions and fornication, underscored the importance of a holy lifestyle distinct from pagan practices.
  • Respect for Conscience: The decree showed sensitivity to the deeply held convictions of Jewish Christians, recognizing that certain practices (like consuming blood) were anathema to their heritage.
  • Grace and Practical Holiness: It affirmed salvation by grace while still emphasizing that believers are called to live lives of practical holiness and love, considering others.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Pollutions of idols" (εἰδωλοθύτων - eidolothuton): This refers specifically to food that had been sacrificed to idols. Consuming such food was seen as participating in pagan worship, a significant spiritual defilement. While Paul later clarifies the theological implications of eating such food in 1 Corinthians 8:4 (that an idol is nothing), the Council's prohibition here was practical, aiming to prevent offense and clear association with paganism for new converts.
  • "Fornication" (πορνείας - porneias): This is a broad term encompassing all forms of sexual immorality, including prostitution, adultery, and other illicit sexual acts prevalent in the pagan world. This prohibition was a universal moral standard, foundational to biblical ethics, and explicitly condemned throughout the New Testament (e.g., 1 Corinthians 6:18).
  • "Things strangled" (πνικτοῦ - pniktou): Refers to meat from animals that had been suffocated rather than properly bled. This practice was common in pagan rituals but violated Jewish dietary laws, which required animals to be bled to render the meat permissible.
  • "Blood" (αἵματος - haimatos): The consumption of blood was strictly forbidden in the Old Testament from early on (Genesis 9:4) and reiterated in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 17:11), where blood represented life and was reserved for atonement. This prohibition was deeply ingrained in Jewish culture and theology.

Practical Application

While the specific dietary restrictions (things strangled and blood) are generally not considered binding for Gentile Christians today, the underlying principles of Acts 15:20 remain highly relevant. Believers are still called to:

  • Maintain Moral Purity: Abstinence from sexual immorality (fornication) is a timeless and universal command for all Christians.
  • Separate from Idolatry: We are to abstain from any practices or associations that would compromise our devotion to the one true God or give the appearance of participating in false worship. This can extend to modern forms of idolatry, such as materialism or self-worship.
  • Consider Others: The decree highlights the importance of love and sensitivity towards fellow believers, especially those with different cultural or theological backgrounds. Our freedom in Christ should not become a stumbling block for a weaker brother or sister (Romans 14:13).
  • Live Holy Lives: The passage underscores that salvation by grace does not negate the call to live a life set apart for God, demonstrating genuine transformation and spiritual integrity.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 15:29 (9 votes)

    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.

  • Revelation 2:20 (8 votes)

    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 (7 votes)

    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.

  • Leviticus 3:17 (7 votes)

    [It shall be] a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.

  • Genesis 9:4 (6 votes)

    But flesh with the life thereof, [which is] the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

  • Acts 21:25 (5 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:4 (5 votes)

    ¶ As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one.