15:14a–b

Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own: This refers to Peter’s speech (15:7–11) about talking to Cornelius and the other Gentiles with him.

15:14a

Simon: This name refers here to the apostle Peter. In some languages, you may want to:

• Indicate that it is Peter in a footnote. An example footnote is:

This is Peter’s Jewish name (Matthew 16:17–18).

• Use both names. For example:

Simon Peter (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Simon (who was also called Peter)

• Use his usual name. For example:

Peter (New Living Translation (2004))

You may then want to explain the literal name in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Literally “Simon/Simeon.” James called Peter by his Jewish name here.

how God…visited the Gentiles: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as visited the Gentiles is often used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament to refer to God coming to visit people in a special way to help them. That is probably the meaning in this passage. God visited Gentiles in a special way when he brought salvation to Cornelius together with his relatives and friends (Acts 10).

Translate this with a word or phrase that refers to going to people or visiting them with the purpose of bringing help or mercy in a time of need. For example:

how God…came to help the Gentiles

Do not use a word for “visit” that refers only to a friendly or social visit.

first: This indicates that Cornelius became a believer early in the history of the church. But it may imply that this was the first time God specifically worked at bringing Gentiles into the church. Cornelius became a believer about ten or twelve years before the time James was speaking here. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

it first happened that (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the first time (New Century Version)

15:14b

to take from them a people to be His own: This is what God was concerned about: he wanted Gentiles to believe in Jesus. In that way they would become God’s people. For example:

how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name (New Revised Standard Version)

to take from them a people to be His own: This is what the Jews thought about themselves. They were God’s chosen people. Now James indicated that God began calling people from the Gentiles to believe in Jesus. They, together with Jewish believers, became God’s people in Jesus. For example:

made some of them his own people (Contemporary English Version)

to be His own: The Greek phrase is literally “for his name.” It indicates that the things the Gentile believers do will benefit God’s name. They will believe in him, honor him, serve him, and belong to him. These things will make God’s name greater. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

for his name (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
to benefit his name
-or-
to make his name even greater

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