Acts 15:36

¶ And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, [and see] how they do.

And {G1161} some {G5100} days {G2250} after {G3326} Paul {G3972} said {G2036} unto {G4314} Barnabas {G921},{G1211} Let us go again {G1994} and visit {G1980} our {G2257} brethren {G80} in {G2596} every {G3956} city {G4172} where {G1722}{G3739} we have preached {G2605} the word {G3056} of the Lord {G2962}, and see how {G4459} they do {G2192}.

After some time, Sha’ul said to Bar-Nabba, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we proclaimed the message about the Lord, and see how they’re doing.”

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”

And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare.

Commentary

Acts 15:36 marks a pivotal moment in the early Christian mission, highlighting the importance of follow-up and pastoral care after initial evangelism. This verse sets the stage for Paul and Barnabas's proposed second missionary journey, though it also immediately precedes a significant disagreement between them.

Context of Acts 15:36

This verse immediately follows the conclusion of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-35), where the apostles and elders debated and decided that Gentile converts did not need to observe the Mosaic Law, including circumcision, to be saved. Paul and Barnabas had been key figures in this council, advocating for the Gentile believers. Having delivered the council's letter and decisions, their thoughts quickly turned back to the nascent churches they had established during their first missionary journey (Acts 13-14). Their desire to "visit our brethren" underscores a deep pastoral concern for the spiritual well-being of new converts and the strengthening of these fledgling Christian communities.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Pastoral Care and Discipleship: Paul and Barnabas's initiative demonstrates that evangelism is only the beginning. True ministry involves nurturing new believers, ensuring their spiritual growth, and strengthening the local church. The phrase "see how they do" implies a desire to assess their spiritual health and provide ongoing encouragement and instruction.
  • Missionary Strategy: This verse reveals a crucial aspect of early Christian missionary work: it wasn't just about planting churches but also about revisiting and consolidating them. This systematic follow-up was essential for the long-term health and stability of the growing Christian movement.
  • Concern for Believers: The term "brethren" (Greek: adelphoi) highlights the strong familial bond within the early Christian community. Paul and Barnabas viewed these converts not merely as statistics but as family members for whom they felt genuine spiritual responsibility.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "visit our brethren" translates the Greek verb episkeptomai, which implies more than a casual visit. It carries the nuance of inspecting, looking after, or caring for, often with a supervisory or benevolent intent. This suggests a desire to actively engage with the spiritual state of the believers, to provide guidance, and to ensure their steadfastness in the faith. The "word of the Lord" (Greek: ton logon tou Kyriou) refers to the gospel message they had initially proclaimed, emphasizing that their follow-up would be grounded in reinforcing that core teaching.

Practical Application

Acts 15:36 offers timeless lessons for ministry today. It reminds us that:

  • Follow-up is Crucial: Effective evangelism must be accompanied by intentional discipleship and pastoral care. New believers need ongoing support, teaching, and integration into a healthy church community.
  • Leaders Have Pastoral Responsibility: Those who lead in ministry have a duty to care for the spiritual state of their congregations, not just to preach, but to actively "see how they do."
  • Community is Key: The early church thrived on strong communal bonds, recognizing believers as "brethren." Modern churches should foster environments where spiritual family ties are prioritized and nurtured, encouraging mutual care and accountability.

This verse beautifully illustrates the heart of ministry: not just proclaiming the good news, but diligently nurturing those who receive it, ensuring they grow in their walk with God.

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Cross-References

  • Acts 14:6 (6 votes)

    They were ware of [it], and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

  • Acts 13:4 (6 votes)

    ¶ So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

  • Acts 14:24 (5 votes)

    And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

  • Acts 14:25 (5 votes)

    And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

  • Acts 13:13 (5 votes)

    Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

  • Acts 13:14 (5 votes)

    ¶ But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

  • Acts 13:51 (5 votes)

    But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.