Section 15:22–29

The leaders in Jerusalem wrote their decision in a letter

In this section, the apostles and elders in Jerusalem decided what to tell the Gentile believers. It was similar to what James suggested. They chose two men, Judas and Silas, to go with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. They then wrote a letter to send with them that explained the decision.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers (New International Version)
-or-
A letter to non-Jewish believers
-or-
The apostolic letter (New Jerusalem Bible)

Paragraph 15:22–29

15:22a

Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided: Probably, the apostles and elders…decided and all the believers at the meeting agreed with them. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Then the apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole church, decided (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Then, with the agreement of the whole church, the apostles and elders resolved (Revised English Bible)

the apostles and elders: See how you translated this phrase in 15:2.

the whole church: This phrase indicates that all the believers at the meeting agreed with what the apostles and elders decided to do. This included those Jewish believers who at first wanted the Gentile believers to follow the law of Moses. Not every believer from every town was there, but this phrase indicates there was no disagreement among the believers. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

all the church members (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
all the believers

decided: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as decided refers to thinking or believing something. The apostles and elders believed it was right to follow what James suggested. The Greek word was often used for an official decision of a group or leader. Other ways to translate this word are:

agreed
-or-
thought it right

15:22b

men from among them: This phrase refers to some of the believers who lived in Jerusalem. They would go with Paul and Barnabas to confirm that the letter was from the leaders in Jerusalem. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

some of their own men (New International Version)
-or-
some men from the group (Good News Translation)
-or-
delegates from among themselves (New Jerusalem Bible)

15:22c

send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Paul and Barnabas had probably planned to return to Antioch. So these believers from Jerusalem would go with them.

15:22d

They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas: Some people called this Judas Barsabbas. People only hearing this clause read might think that Judas had two other names: Barsabbas and Silas. To avoid that you may want to list Silas first. For example:

They chose Silas and Judas (called Barsabbas)

two leaders among the brothers: Judas and Silas were leaders in the church at Jerusalem.

the brothers: Here the word brothers refers generally to men and women believers. For example:

the believers (Good News Translation)

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