Bible Strands
Acts 15:22
Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among the brothers,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The apostles and elders, speaking with the whole church, issue a joint directive to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia immediately after concluding their council deliberations. They appoint two delegates to travel with Paul and Barnabas and deliver the written decision.
The words — ἔδοξεν (edoxen) literally means “it seemed good,” marking a collective agreement rather than a top-down command. σὺν (sun) translates as “with,” placing the apostles and elders in direct partnership with the wider church body during the selection process.
The thread — The appointed messengers reappear in Acts 15:27 to verbally confirm the letter’s contents, and Silas later joins Paul on a subsequent journey in Acts 15:40. The Barsabbas mentioned here differs from the Joseph called Barsabbas proposed in Acts 1:23.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to recognize that church authority operates through collective discernment and shared delegation. It demands adherence to decisions reached through unified leadership rather than isolated judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
Cross-references
- Acts 15:27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to tell you in person the same things we are writing.
- Acts 15:40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
- Acts 1:23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
- Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
- Acts 18:5 And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
- 1 Peter 5:12 Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
- Acts 16:19 When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace.
- Acts 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.