Bible Strands
Acts 15:14
Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — James addresses the Jerusalem council immediately after Peter concludes his report on the Gentile mission. He positions his speech as a direct response to Peter's account, using the apostle's narrative to frame the council's decision.
The words — The Greek ἐξηγήσατο (exēgēsato) literally means "has related" or "has drawn out," describing Peter's recounting of events. The verb ἐπεσκέψατο (epeskepsato) means "visited," denoting God's initial intervention to gather a people from the Gentiles.
The thread — The narrative of God visiting the Gentiles connects to Peter's earlier speech about divine choice among the apostles (Acts 15:7) and aligns with the prophetic promise of universal restoration (Luke 2:31). The identification of Peter as Simon links to his apostolic commission (2 Peter 1:1).
Why it lands — The text establishes that God's prior action of taking a people for Himself is the factual basis for the council's ruling. It requires readers to submit church practice to the recorded sequence of divine initiative rather than human precedent.
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The Greek words
King James Version
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Cross-references
- 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
- Acts 15:7 After much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that the Gentiles would hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
- Luke 2:31 which You have prepared in the sight of all people,
- Isaiah 43:21 The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise.
- 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
- Romans 1:5 Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.
- Isaiah 55:11 so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.
- Luke 1:68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
- Luke 1:78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,
- Romans 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.