Acts 15:19
New International Version
“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

New Living Translation
“And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

English Standard Version
Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,

Berean Standard Bible
It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore I judge not to trouble those from the Gentiles turning to God,

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

New King James Version
Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,

New American Standard Bible
Therefore, it is my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God,

NASB 1995
“Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles,

NASB 1977
“Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles,

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore I judge that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles,

Amplified Bible
Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble and make it difficult for those who are turning to God among the Gentiles [by putting obstacles in their way],

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God,

American Standard Version
Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God;

Contemporary English Version
And so, my friends, I don't think we should place burdens on the Gentiles who are turning to God.

English Revised Version
Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them which from among the Gentiles turn to God;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"So I've decided that we shouldn't trouble non-Jewish people who are turning to God.

Good News Translation
"It is my opinion," James went on, "that we should not trouble the Gentiles who are turning to God.

International Standard Version
"Therefore, I have decided that we should not trouble these gentiles who are turning to God.

Majority Standard Bible
It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

NET Bible
"Therefore I conclude that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God,

New Heart English Bible
"Therefore my judgment is that we do not trouble those from among the non-Jewish people who turn to God,

Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, who from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

Weymouth New Testament
"My judgement, therefore, is against inflicting unexpected annoyance on those of the Gentiles who are turning to God.

World English Bible
Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For this reason I judge: not to trouble those who turn back to God from the nations,

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore I judge not to trouble those from the Gentiles turning to God,

Young's Literal Translation
wherefore I judge: not to trouble those who from the nations do turn back to God,

Smith's Literal Translation
Wherefore I judge, not to molest them, from the nations turning back to God:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For which cause I judge that they, who from among the Gentiles are converted to God, are not to be disquieted.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Because of this, I judge that those who were converted to God from among the Gentiles are not to be disturbed,

New American Bible
It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God,

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Because of this I say, Do not trouble those who turn to God from among the Gentiles:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Therefore I say, let us not trouble those who are being turned to God from the Gentiles.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For these reasons, my judgment is, that we give no trouble to those who, from among the Gentiles, have turned to God;

Godbey New Testament
Therefore I judge, that we should not burden those from the Gentiles turning to God:

Haweis New Testament
Therefore I am decided, that we give no unnecessary disquietude to those who from the heathen have turned to God:

Mace New Testament
wherefore my opinion is not to disquiet the Gentile converts: but only to write to them,

Weymouth New Testament
"My judgement, therefore, is against inflicting unexpected annoyance on those of the Gentiles who are turning to God.

Worrell New Testament
Wherefore, I judge that we should not trouble those who from among the gentiles are turning to God;

Worsley New Testament
wherefore my advice is, not to trouble those who from among the Gentiles are converted to God; but to write to them,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Council at Jerusalem
18that have been known for ages.’ 19It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20Instead, 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.…

Cross References
Acts 10:28
He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.

Acts 11:17-18
So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder the work of God?” / When they heard this, they had no further objections, and they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

Galatians 2:9
And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.

Romans 14:13
Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

1 Corinthians 8:9
Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

1 Corinthians 10:32
Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—

Ephesians 2:14-15
For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility / by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace

Romans 15:7
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God.

1 Thessalonians 4:3
For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality;

1 Peter 4:3
For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.

Isaiah 56:3-7
Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people.” And let the eunuch not say, “I am but a dry tree.” / For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant— / I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. ...

Amos 9:11-12
“In that day I will restore the fallen tent of David. I will repair its gaps, restore its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old, / that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name,” declares the LORD, who will do this.

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Isaiah 42:6
“I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations,

Zechariah 2:11
“On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD, and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you.


Treasury of Scripture

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

that.

Acts 15:10,24,28
Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? …

Galatians 1:7-10
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ…

Galatians 2:4
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

turned.

Acts 26:20
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Hosea 14:2
Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.

Jump to Previous
Annoyance Decision Difficult Gentiles Inflicting Judge Judgement Judgment Nations Reason Sentence Trouble Turn Turned Turning Unexpected Wherefore
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Annoyance Decision Difficult Gentiles Inflicting Judge Judgement Judgment Nations Reason Sentence Trouble Turn Turned Turning Unexpected Wherefore
Acts 15
1. Great dissensions arise regarding circumcision.
5. The apostles consult about it,
22. and send their determination by letters to the churches.
36. Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brothers together,
39. disagree, and travel different ways.














It is my judgment, therefore
This phrase indicates a conclusion drawn from a preceding discussion. The Greek word for "judgment" here is "κρίνω" (krinō), which implies a decision or decree made after careful consideration. In the context of Acts 15, this reflects the apostolic council's deliberation over the issue of Gentile believers and the Mosaic Law. Historically, this council was a pivotal moment in the early Church, as it addressed the integration of Gentile converts. The phrase underscores the importance of discernment and unity in church leadership, emphasizing that decisions should be made with wisdom and collective agreement.

that we should not cause trouble
The Greek word for "cause trouble" is "παρενοχλέω" (parenochleō), which means to annoy or burden. This reflects a compassionate and inclusive approach to church leadership, recognizing the potential for unnecessary obstacles to faith. The early Church was navigating the tension between Jewish traditions and the new covenant in Christ. By choosing not to impose additional burdens, the apostles demonstrated a commitment to grace and the core message of the Gospel, which is accessible to all, regardless of cultural or religious background.

for the Gentiles
The term "Gentiles" refers to non-Jewish people. In the Greek, "ἔθνος" (ethnos) is used, which can mean nations or peoples. This highlights the universal scope of the Gospel message. Historically, the inclusion of Gentiles was a radical shift from the Jewish-centric view of God's covenant. The early Church's mission was to transcend ethnic and cultural barriers, fulfilling Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). This phrase emphasizes the breaking down of walls and the expansion of God's kingdom to all humanity.

who are turning to God
The phrase "turning to God" is significant, as it denotes repentance and conversion. The Greek word "ἐπιστρέφω" (epistrephō) means to turn around or return. This reflects a transformative change in direction, from a life without God to one centered on Him. In the historical context of Acts, many Gentiles were coming from pagan backgrounds, and their turning to God was a profound shift in allegiance and lifestyle. This phrase underscores the power of the Gospel to change lives and the importance of welcoming new believers into the faith community without unnecessary hindrances.

(19) Wherefore my sentence is.--Literally, Wherefore I judge. The tone is that of one who speaks with authority, but what follows is not given as a decree, but as a resolution which was submitted to the judgment of the Apostles and elders. (Comp. Acts 16:4.)

That we trouble not them.--The verb is not found elsewhere in the New Testament, and expresses the idea of "worrying" or "harassing."

Are turned to God.--More accurately, are turning, as acknowledging that the work was going on at that very moment.

Verse 19. - Judgment for sentence, A.V. (ἐγὼ κρίνω); turn for are turned, A.V. (ἐπιστρέφουσιν Judgment. Sentence is the best word, as expressing the decisive judgment of St. James, which, being delivered with the authority of his office at the close of the debate, carried with it the suffrages of the whole council. The things decreed by them were called Τὰ δόγματα τὰ κεκρίμενα ὑπὸ σῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων Turn. It applies to those that should hereafter turn as well as to those who were already turned.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[It is] my
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

judgment,
κρίνω (krinō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2919: Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.

therefore,
Διὸ (Dio)
Conjunction
Strong's 1352: Wherefore, on which account, therefore. From dia and hos; through which thing, i.e. Consequently.

that we should not cause trouble for
παρενοχλεῖν (parenochlein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3926: To trouble, cause disturbance to, annoy, harass. From para and enochleo; to harass further, i.e. Annoy.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Gentiles
ἐθνῶν (ethnōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

[who] are turning
ἐπιστρέφουσιν (epistrephousin)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1994: From epi and strepho; to revert.

to
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

God.
Θεόν (Theon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


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Acts 15:18
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