Acts 15:20 - Printer Friendly

What does Acts 15:20 mean?

ESV: but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.

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

NASB: but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols, from acts of sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood.

CSB: but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood.

NLT: Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood.

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

NKJV: but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

Verse Commentary:

Jewish Christians who still clung to the standards of the Pharisees have demanded that Gentiles first convert to Judaism before they can receive salvation through Christ. Peter, Paul, and Barnabas respond with practical and theological measures. They explain the entire argument is moot since they have witnessed the Holy Spirit indwell Gentiles whom they had not circumcised, baptized, nor laid hands on (Acts 15:1–11). James, not an evangelist or apostle but as the pastor of the church in Jerusalem, sees a different side to the danger of the legalistic demand. It deeply threatens the unity of Jesus' church.

James starts by going back to Hebrew Scriptures, using passages in Amos, Jeremiah, and Isaiah to show it was always God's intention to call Gentiles to join Jews as His people (Acts 15:15–18). Since God had always intended to join Jews and Gentiles, the Jews should seriously consider what they need to maintain that unity. What did Jews really need to be able to be in community with Gentiles—including to eat with them? Sexual purity and dietary considerations.

The inclusion of "sexual immorality" is a bit puzzling. It seems obvious that Jesus calls His followers to refrain from adultery, sex outside of marriage, homosexual acts, lesbianism, and bestiality. It's possible James is referring to marriage between close relatives—like Herod Antipas' marriage to his divorced sister-in-law (Mark 6:17)—and serial divorces and remarriages, which Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians 7:10–11.

The command to refrain from blood is clearer, and an animal that was strangled is one that still has the blood in the meat. Spartans ate a soup made of pork, salt, vinegar, and blood. God prohibited all mankind from eating blood because the life is in the blood (Genesis 9:3–4). God deepened that prohibition for Israel, explaining that blood pays a ransom, clearing the debt owed by a human for sin in the taking of an animal's life in the sacrificial system (Leviticus 17:11). The Talmud says you can't ingest more than the volume of an olive, and it's the lifeblood that matters, not the blood that oozes out later or the blood in the meat. Others were so strict they wouldn't eat eggs that had a spot of blood. Today, many believe that when Jesus lifted the kosher restrictions on food, He also lifted the ban on blood (Mark 7:19; Acts 10:9–16). Others believe that since God restricted blood at the time of Noah, long before the Mosaic law, the commandment stands. Today, it is a matter of personal conscience.

James' assertion that Gentiles should avoid food sacrificed to idols is interesting because in the field, Paul doesn't enforce it. That is, he frames it as sometimes necessary for unity, but not a moral issue. He affirms that sacrificing food to an idol does nothing to the food; idols represent gods that don't even exist. In addition, scholars say in large cities outside the Jewish homeland, it is difficult to find meat for sale that hasn't been dedicated to a god. But the believers in Corinth who understand this need to think about others. Some, like Jews, find the practice sacrilegious. Others may be Gentiles who had worshiped those gods and still feel a strong connection to that worship. If the group at mealtime includes those who strongly object to eating food sacrificed to idols, the others should honor their concerns; community is more important than having meat at one meal (1 Corinthians 8). On the other hand, if an unbeliever were to invite a Gentile Christian to a meal and boast that the meat had been sacrificed to an idol, the Christian should refrain from eating it. Not because the meat is tainted, but because the Christian should be clear he or she does not worship that idol (1 Corinthians 10:27–30).

Paul summarizes James' intent nicely: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved" (1 Corinthians 10:31–33). James' dietary restrictions are for unity, not morality.

Acts 15:12–21 continues the account of the church of Jerusalem's debate. They are discussing whether Gentiles must convert to Judaism to be saved by Jesus, the Jewish Messiah. Paul, Barnabas, and Peter say salvation is through the grace of Christ (Acts 15:2, 7–11). Jewish Christians from the Pharisee sect disagree (Acts 15:1, 5). Now, Barnabas and Paul will relate their work among the Gentiles on their first missionary journey. James, the half-brother of Jesus, will share his conviction: God has not placed ritual requirements on Gentiles for salvation. However, Gentiles should make reasonable concessions to maintain unity with Jewish brothers and sisters.

Chapter Summary:

Paul and Barnabas are in Syrian Antioch, home from their first missionary journey. Legalistic Christians from Jerusalem arrive and insist Gentiles must convert to Judaism. When negotiations fail, a delegation travels to Jerusalem to request clarification from Jesus' closest students. The leadership in Jerusalem agree with Paul and Barnabas. They write a letter that Gentiles should only make concessions, mostly dietary, which will ensure unity with the Jews in their congregation. After delivering the letter to Antioch, Paul takes Silas and Barnabas takes John Mark to share the letter to other churches they have planted.

Chapter Context:

Acts chapter 15 resembles Acts 11:1–18, where Peter testified before the leadership of the church in Jerusalem. His subject was how the Holy Spirit had fallen on uncircumcised and unbaptized Gentiles. Here Paul and Barnabas also testify that Gentiles are coming to faith in Jesus without being circumcised. The issue the leadership must decide is the extent Gentiles must be responsible to follow the Mosaic law. Their decision is that the Law is in no way required to be saved, but Gentiles should graciously make concessions so their Jewish brothers and sisters feel free to live in community. This forms a partial background to the rest of Paul's missionary journeys as explained in Acts.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.

Accessed 11/21/2024 10:05:15 AM