15:24a–25b
In the Greek, 15:24–25 is one sentence and 15:24a begins with the word “since.” This word introduces the reason (15:24) for what the apostles and elders agreed to do in 15:25. The Berean Standard Bible begins 15:25 with “So” to translate this connection.
15:24a
our: This pronoun refers to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.
some went out from us: There is a textual issue here.
(1) Some early Greek manuscripts have the verb that means went out. For example:
some who went from our group (Good News Translation)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, God’s Word, NET Bible, English Standard Version, King James Version)
(2) Some early Greek manuscripts do not have that verb. For example:
some persons from us (Revised Standard Version)
(Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New Century Version)
It is recommended that you follow option (1), because the UBS Handbook Greek NT supports it.
us: This pronoun probably refers generally to the believers in Jerusalem, including the apostles and elders.
without our authorization: This phrase indicates that the apostles and elders did not tell anyone to go to Antioch and preach that believers must be circumcised. For example:
without any authority from ourselves (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
with no orders from us (NET Bible)
In some languages it is necessary or more natural to translate this phrase as a separate clause. For example:
they had not, however, received any instruction from us (Good News Translation )
-or-
but we did not tell them to go
If that is true in your language, you may need to move this phrase to the end of the verse. Here is another way to translate this:
We have heard that some of our group have come to you and said things that trouble and upset you. But we did not tell them to do this. (New Century Version)
15:24b
unsettled: This verb refers to being upset emotionally and mentally. The false teachers from Jerusalem upset the believers by teaching that they must be circumcised. This was contrary to what the believers had learned from Paul and others. Other ways to translate this word are:
troubled (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
upset (Good News Translation)
troubling your minds by what they said: The Greek is literally “unsettling your souls.” The Greek verb refers to a figurative “destroying” or “demolishing” something. The false teachers tried to destroy the ways of living by faith of the believers. Other ways to translate this are:
destroying your peace of mind
-or-
causing you to be distressed
-or-
troubled you deeply
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