KJV: For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
YLT: 'For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, no more burden to lay upon you, except these necessary things:
Darby: For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
ASV: For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
Ἔδοξεν | It seemed good |
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: δοκέω Sense: to be of opinion, think, suppose. |
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τῷ | to the |
Parse: Article, Dative Neuter Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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Πνεύματι | Spirit |
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular Root: πνεῦμα Sense: a movement of air (a gentle blast. |
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τῷ | - |
Parse: Article, Dative Neuter Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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Ἁγίῳ | Holy |
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Singular Root: ἅγιος Sense: most holy thing, a saint. |
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ἡμῖν | to us |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Plural Root: ἐγώ Sense: I, me, my. |
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μηδὲν | no |
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: μηδείς Sense: nobody, no one, nothing. |
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πλέον | further |
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular, Comparative Root: πολύς Sense: greater in quantity. |
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ἐπιτίθεσθαι | to lay |
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Passive Root: ἐπιτίθημι Sense: in the active voice. |
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ὑμῖν | upon you |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural Root: σύ Sense: you. |
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βάρος | burden |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: βάρος Sense: heaviness, weight, burden, trouble. |
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πλὴν | except |
Parse: Preposition Root: πλήν Sense: moreover, besides, but, nevertheless. |
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τούτων | these |
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Neuter Plural Root: οὗτος Sense: this. |
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τῶν | - |
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Plural Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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ἐπάναγκες | necessary things |
Parse: Adverb Root: ἐπάναγκες Sense: necessarily. |
Greek Commentary for Acts 15:28
Dative case after εδοχεν edoxen (third example, verses, 22, 25, 28). Definite claim that the church in this action had the guidance of the Holy Spirit. That fact was plain to the church from what had taken place in Caesarea and in this campaign of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:8). Jesus had promised that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth (John 16:13). Even so the church deliberated carefully before deciding. What a blessing it would be if this were always true! But even so the Judaizers are only silenced for the present, not convinced and only waiting for a better day to start over again. [source]
The restrictions named did constitute some burden (cf. Matthew 20:12), for the old word βαρος baros means weight or heaviness. Morality itself is a restraint upon one‘s impulses as is all law a prohibition against license. Than these necessary things (plēn toutōn tōn epanagkes). This old adverb (from epi and anagkē) means on compulsion, of necessity. Here only in the N.T. For discussion of these items see note on Acts 15:20, note on Acts 15:21. In comparison with the freedom won this “burden” is light and not to be regarded as a compromise in spite of the arguments of Lightfoot and Ramsay. It was such a concession as any converted Gentile would be glad to make even if “things strangled” be included. This “necessity” was not a matter of salvation but only for fellowship between Jews and Gentiles. The Judaizers made the law of Moses essential to salvation (Acts 15:16). [source]
This old adverb (from epi and anagkē) means on compulsion, of necessity. Here only in the N.T. For discussion of these items see note on Acts 15:20, note on Acts 15:21. In comparison with the freedom won this “burden” is light and not to be regarded as a compromise in spite of the arguments of Lightfoot and Ramsay. It was such a concession as any converted Gentile would be glad to make even if “things strangled” be included. This “necessity” was not a matter of salvation but only for fellowship between Jews and Gentiles. The Judaizers made the law of Moses essential to salvation (Acts 15:16). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 15:28
A reason why these four necessary things (Acts 15:28) are named. In every city are synagogues where rabbis proclaim (κηρυσσοντας kērussontas) these matters. Hence the Gentile Christians would be giving constant offence to neglect them. The only point where modern Christian sentiment would object would be about “things strangled” and “blood” in the sense of any blood left in the animals, though most Christians probably agree with the feeling of James in objecting to blood in the food. If “blood” is taken to be “murder,” that difficulty vanishes. Moses will suffer no loss for these Gentile Christians are not adherents of Judaism. [source]
See statement by Luke in Acts 15:22, and now this definite decision is in the epistle itself. It is repeated in Acts 15:28. [source]
Solemn and emphatic: His Spirit, the holy. Similarly, Acts 15:8, Acts 15:28; Acts 19:6; Acts 20:23; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30. [source]
The words for burden in the New Testament are ὄγκος (only in Hebrews 12:1), βάρος (Matthew 20:12; Galatians 6:2), and φορτίον (Matthew 11:30; Matthew 23:4; Galatians 6:5). ὄγκος refers to bulk, βάρος to weight, φορτίον to a burden so far as it is born ( φέρω ). Thus in Hebrews 12:1, “lay aside every weight ( ὄγκος ),” the figure being that of runners in the race-course, and the word appropriate as denoting the bulky robes and the accoutrements of the ordinary dress which might impede the freedom of the limbs. In Matthew 20:12, “the burden ( βάρος ) and heat of the day,” the idea is that of heavy toil pressing like a weight. So Galatians 6:2, “Bear ye one another's burdens.” But in Galatians 6:5, the emphasis is on the act of bearing; and therefore φορτίον is used: “Every man shall bear his own burden;” i.e., every man shall carry that which it is appointed him to bear. The reference in that passage is probably to the prohibition enjoined by the apostolic council of Jerusalem, which concerned the very things which are rebuked here - fornication and abstinence from idol-meats. In the narrative of that council the phrase occurs “to lay upon you no greater burden ” (Acts 15:28). The meaning accordingly will be, “I put upon you no other burden than abstinence from and protest against these abominations.” [source]
Inclusive of all “the rest.”This teaching (την διδαχην ταυτην tēn didachēn tautēn). That of Jezebel.Which “Which very ones,” generic of the class, explanatory definition as in Revelation 1:7.Know not (ουκ εγνωσαν ouk egnōsan). Second aorist (ingressive) active of γινωσκω ginōskō “did not come to know by experience.”The deep things of Satan The Ophites (worshippers of the serpent) and other later Gnostics (Cainites, Carpocratians, Naassenes) boasted of their knowledge of “the deep things,” some claiming this very language about Satan (the serpent) as Paul did of God (1 Corinthians 2:10). It is not clear whether the words here quoted are a boast of the Nicolaitans or a reproach on the other Christians for not knowing the depths of sin. Some even claimed that they could indulge in immorality without sinning (1 John 1:10; 1 John 3:10). Perhaps both ideas are involved.As they say (ως λεγουσιν hōs legousin). Probably referring to the heretics who ridicule the piety of the other Christians.None other burden πορτιον Baros refers to weight (Matthew 20:12), περω phortion from ογκος pherō to bear, refers to load (Galatians 6:5), βαρος ogkos to bulk (Hebrews 12:1). Apparently a reference to the decision of the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:28) where the very word baros is used and mention is made about the two items in Revelation 2:20 (fornication and idolatry) without mentioning the others about things strangled, etc. See the Pharisaic narrowness in Matthew 23:4. [source]
“Which very ones,” generic of the class, explanatory definition as in Revelation 1:7.Know not (ουκ εγνωσαν ouk egnōsan). Second aorist (ingressive) active of γινωσκω ginōskō “did not come to know by experience.”The deep things of Satan The Ophites (worshippers of the serpent) and other later Gnostics (Cainites, Carpocratians, Naassenes) boasted of their knowledge of “the deep things,” some claiming this very language about Satan (the serpent) as Paul did of God (1 Corinthians 2:10). It is not clear whether the words here quoted are a boast of the Nicolaitans or a reproach on the other Christians for not knowing the depths of sin. Some even claimed that they could indulge in immorality without sinning (1 John 1:10; 1 John 3:10). Perhaps both ideas are involved.As they say (ως λεγουσιν hōs legousin). Probably referring to the heretics who ridicule the piety of the other Christians.None other burden πορτιον Baros refers to weight (Matthew 20:12), περω phortion from ογκος pherō to bear, refers to load (Galatians 6:5), βαρος ogkos to bulk (Hebrews 12:1). Apparently a reference to the decision of the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:28) where the very word baros is used and mention is made about the two items in Revelation 2:20 (fornication and idolatry) without mentioning the others about things strangled, etc. See the Pharisaic narrowness in Matthew 23:4. [source]
πορτιον Baros refers to weight (Matthew 20:12), περω phortion from ογκος pherō to bear, refers to load (Galatians 6:5), βαρος ogkos to bulk (Hebrews 12:1). Apparently a reference to the decision of the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:28) where the very word baros is used and mention is made about the two items in Revelation 2:20 (fornication and idolatry) without mentioning the others about things strangled, etc. See the Pharisaic narrowness in Matthew 23:4. [source]
The Ophites (worshippers of the serpent) and other later Gnostics (Cainites, Carpocratians, Naassenes) boasted of their knowledge of “the deep things,” some claiming this very language about Satan (the serpent) as Paul did of God (1 Corinthians 2:10). It is not clear whether the words here quoted are a boast of the Nicolaitans or a reproach on the other Christians for not knowing the depths of sin. Some even claimed that they could indulge in immorality without sinning (1 John 1:10; 1 John 3:10). Perhaps both ideas are involved.As they say (ως λεγουσιν hōs legousin). Probably referring to the heretics who ridicule the piety of the other Christians.None other burden πορτιον Baros refers to weight (Matthew 20:12), περω phortion from ογκος pherō to bear, refers to load (Galatians 6:5), βαρος ogkos to bulk (Hebrews 12:1). Apparently a reference to the decision of the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:28) where the very word baros is used and mention is made about the two items in Revelation 2:20 (fornication and idolatry) without mentioning the others about things strangled, etc. See the Pharisaic narrowness in Matthew 23:4. [source]