God’s Word Translation
Acts 15:28
28The Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to place any additional burdens on you. Do only what is necessary
Acts 15:28 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
- New International Version (NIV)It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:
- English Standard Version (ESV)For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
- New King James Version (NKJV)For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
Context of Acts 15:28
26Barnabas and Paul have dedicated their lives to our Lord, the one named Jesus Christ. 27We have sent Judas and Silas to report to you on our decision. The Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to place any additional burdens on you. Do only what is necessary 29by keeping away from food sacrificed to false gods, from eating bloody meat, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual sins. If you avoid these things, you will be doing what’s right. Farewell! 30So the men were sent on their way and arrived in the city of Antioch. They gathered the congregation together and delivered the letter.
Read all of Acts 15Acts 15:28 word by word
ἔδοξεν γὰρ τῷ πνεύματι τῷ ἁγίῳ καὶ ἡμῖν μηδὲν πλέον ἐπιτίθεσθαι ὑμῖν βάρος πλὴν τούτων τῶν ἐπάναγκεςRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- it seemed goodδοκέωdokeō · to thinkG1380
- to the Holyἅγιοςhagios · holyG40
- Ghostπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- to usἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- to lay uponἐπιτίθημιepitithēmi · to put/lay onG2007
- youσύsu · youG4771
- noμηδείςmēdeis mēdemia mēden · nothingG3367
- greaterπλείων, πλεῖονpleiōn pleion pleon · greaterG4119
- burdenβάροςbaros · burdenG922
- thanπλήνplēn · but/howeverG4133
- theseοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- necessaryἐπάναγκεςepanagkes · necessarilyG1876
Cross-references for Acts 15:28
- John 16:13When the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into the full truth. He won’t speak on his own. He will speak what he hears and will tell you about things to come.
- 1 Corinthians 7:25Concerning virgins: Even though I don’t have any command from the Lord, I’ll give you my opinion. I’m a person to whom the Lord has shown mercy, so I can be trusted.
- 1 Corinthians 14:37Whoever thinks that he speaks for God or that he is spiritually gifted must acknowledge that what I write to you is what the Lord commands.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:8Therefore, whoever rejects this ⌞order⌟ is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
- 1 Peter 1:12God revealed to the prophets that the things they had spoken were not for their own benefit but for yours. What the prophets had spoken, the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven, has now made known to you by those who spread the Good News among you. These are things that even the angels want to look into.
- Matthew 11:30because my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
- Matthew 23:4They make loads that are hard to carry and lay them on the shoulders of the people. However, they are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
- Revelation 2:24But the rest of you in Thyatira—all who don’t hold on to Jezebel’s teaching, who haven’t learned what are called the deep things of Satan—I won’t burden you with anything else.
Commentaries on Acts 15:28
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us - The whole council had met under his direction; had consulted under his influence; and gave forth their decree from his especial inspiration. Necessary things - They were necessary, howsoever burthensome they might appear; and necessary, not only for the time, place, or occasion; but for all times, all places, and all occasions. See this proved in the observations at the end of this chapter.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost - This is a strong and undoubted claim to inspiration. It was with special reference to the organization of the church that the Holy Spirit had been promised to them by the Lord Jesus, Matthew 18:18-20; John 14:26. No greater burden - To impose no greater restraints to enjoin no other observances. See the notes on Acts 15:10. Than these necessary things - Necessary: (1) In order to preserve the peace of the church. (2)…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22-35Verses 22-35 Being warranted to declare themselves directed by the immediate influence of the Holy Ghost, the apostles and disciples were assured that it seemed good unto God the Holy Spirit, as well as to them, to lay upon the converts no other burden than the things before mentioned, which were necessary, either on their own account, or from present circumstances. It was a comfort to hear that carnal ordinances were no longer imposed on them, which…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22-29The Jerusalem church selected two leaders to report its decision. They carried a letter from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem that explained the terms of the agreement.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 28-2928-29. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, &c.--The One, inwardly guiding to and setting His seal on the decision come to: the other, the external ecclesiastical authority devoutly embracing, expressing, and conveying to the churches that decision:--a great principle this for the Church in all time. to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things ... from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well--The whole language of these…Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 15:28
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Acts 15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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