Act 15:22-23 | RWP | e4.org | Then it seemed good ( Τοτε εδοξεν ). First aorist active indicative of δοκεω . A regular idiom at the beginning of decrees. This Eirenicon of James commended itself to the whole assembly. Apparently a vote was taken which was unanimous, the Judaizers probably not voting. The apostles and the elders ( τοις αποστολοις κα τοις πρεσβυτεροις , article with each, dative case) probably all vocally expressed their position. With the whole church ( συν ολε τη εκκλησια ). Probably by acclamation. It was a great victory. But James was a practical leader and he did not stop with speeches and a vote. To choose men out of their company ( εκλεζαμενους ανδρας εξ αυτων ). Accusative case, though dative just before ( τοις αποστολοις , etc.), of first aorist middle participle of εκλεγω , to select. This loose case agreement appears also in γραψαντες in verse and in MSS. in verse . It is a common thing in all Greek writers (Paul, for instance), especially in the papyri and in the Apocalypse of John. Judas called Barsabbas ( Ιουδαν τον καλουμενον Βαρσαββαν ). Not otherwise known unless he is a brother of Joseph Barsabbas of , an early follower of Jesus. The other, Silas, is probably a shortened form of Silvanus ( Σιλουανος , ), the companion of Paul in his second mission tour ( , ; ). Chief men ( ηγουμενους ). Leaders, leading men (participle from ηγεομα , to lead).

‏ Acts 15:22-23

Then it seemed good ( Τοτε εδοξεν ). First aorist active indicative of δοκεω. A regular idiom at the beginning of decrees. This Eirenicon of James commended itself to the whole assembly. Apparently a vote was taken which was unanimous, the Judaizers probably not voting. The apostles and the elders ( τοις αποστολοις κα τοις πρεσβυτεροις, article with each, dative case) probably all vocally expressed their position.

With the whole church ( συν ολε τη εκκλησια ). Probably by acclamation. It was a great victory. But James was a practical leader and he did not stop with speeches and a vote.

To choose men out of their company ( εκλεζαμενους ανδρας εξ αυτων ). Accusative case, though dative just before ( τοις αποστολοις, etc.), of first aorist middle participle of εκλεγω, to select. This loose case agreement appears also in γραψαντες in verse 23 and in MSS. in verse 25. It is a common thing in all Greek writers (Paul, for instance), especially in the papyri and in the Apocalypse of John.

Judas called Barsabbas ( Ιουδαν τον καλουμενον Βαρσαββαν ). Not otherwise known unless he is a brother of Joseph Barsabbas of 1:23, an early follower of Jesus. The other, Silas, is probably a shortened form of Silvanus ( Σιλουανος, 1Pe 5:12), the companion of Paul in his second mission tour (Ac 15:32, 41; 16:25).

Chief men ( ηγουμενους ). Leaders, leading men (participle from ηγεομα, to lead).

And they wrote ( γραψαντες ). First aorist active participle of γραφω and the nominative as if a principal verb επεμψαν had been used instead of πεμψα, the first aorist active infinitive (anacoluthon). This committee of four (Judas, Silas, Barnabas, Paul) carried the letter which embodied the decision of the Conference. This letter is the writing out of the judgment of James and apparently written by him as the President.

The apostles and the elders, brethren ( ο αποστολο κα ο πρεσβυτεροι, αδελφο ). So the oldest and best MSS. without κα (and) before "brethren." This punctuation is probably correct and not "elder brethren." The inquiry had been sent to the apostles and elders (verse 2) though the whole church joined in the welcome (verse 4) and in the decision (verse 22). The apostles and elders send the epistle, but call themselves "brothers to brothers," Fratres Fratibus Salutem. "The brothers" ( τοις αδελφοις ) addressed (dative case) are of the Gentiles ( εξ εθνων ) and those in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, because they were immediately involved. But the decision of this Conference was meant for Gentile Christians everywhere (16:4).

Greeting ( Χαιρειν ). The customary formula in the beginning of letters, the absolute infinitive (usually χαιρειν ) with the nominative absolute also as in Jas 1:1; Ac 23:26 and innumerable papyri (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1902f.).