with many words, and confirmed them. 33. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. 34. Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. 35. Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
We have here the result of the consultation that was had at Jerusalem about the imposing of the ceremonial law upon the Gentiles. Much more, it is likely, was said about it than is here recorded; but at length it was brought to a head, and the advice which James gave, was universally approved of, and agreed to nemine contradicente—unanimously; and letters were accordingly sent by messengers of their own to the Gentile converts, acquainting them with their sentiments in this matter; which would be a great confirmation to them against the false teachers. Now observe here,
I. The choice of the delegates that were to be sent with Paul and Barnabas on this errand; not as if they had any suspicion of the fidelity of these great men, and could not trust them with their letters; or as if they thought those to whom they sent them, would suspect them to have altered any thing in their letter; no, their charity thought no such evil concerning men of such tried integrity; but,
1. They thought fit to send men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, v. 22. This was agreed to by the apostles and elders, with the whole church, who, it is likely, undertook to bear their charges, 1 Cor. 9. 7. They sent these messengers, (1.) To shew their respect to the church at Antioch, as a sister-church, though a younger sister, and that they looked upon it as upon the same level with them; as also that they were desirous further to know their state. (2.) To encourage Paul and Barnabas, and to make their journey home the more pleasant, (for it is likely they travelled on foot,) by sending such excellent men to bear them company; amicus pro vehiculo—a friend instead of a carriage. (3.) To put a reputation upon the letters they carried, that it might appear a solemn embassy, and so much the more regard might be had to the message, which was likely to meet with opposition from some. (4.) To keep up the communion of saints, and cultivate an acquaintance between churches and ministers that were at a distance from each other, and to shew, that though they were many, yet they were one.
2. Those they sent were not inferior persons, who might serve to carry the letters, and attest the receipt of them from the apostles; but they were chosen men, and chief men among the brethren, men of eminent gifts, graces, and usefulness; for those are the things which denominate men chief among the brethren, and qualify them to be the messengers of the churches. They are here named, Judas, who was called Barsabas, probably the brother of that Joseph who was called Barsabas, that was a candidate for the apostleship, ch. 1. 23, The character which these men had in the church at Jerusalem, would have some influence upon them that came from Judea, as those false teachers did, and engage them to pay the more deference to the message that was sent by them.
II. The drawing up of the letters, circular letters, that were to be sent to the churches, to notify the sense of the synod in this matter.
1. Here is a very condescending obliging preamble to this decree, v. 23. Here is nothing in it haughty or assuming, but, (1.) That which speaks the humility of the apostles, that they join the elders and brethren in commission with them, the ministers, the ordinary christians, whom they had advised with in this case, as they used to do in other cases. Though never men were so qualified as they were for a monarchical power and conduct in the church, nor had such a commission as they had, yet their decrees run not, "We, the apostles, Christ's vicars upon earth, and pastors of all the pastors of the churches," (as the Pope styles himself,) "and sole judges in all matters of faith;" but the apostles, and elders, and brethren, agree in their orders; herein they remembered the instructions their Master gave them, (Matt 23. 8.) Be not ye called Rabbi; for all ye are brethren. (2.) That which speaks their respect to the churches they wrote to; they send them greeting, wish them health and happiness and joy, and call them brethren of the Gentiles; thereby owning their admission into the church, and giving them the right hand of fellowship; "You are our brethren though Gentiles; for we meet in Christ, the first-born among many brethren, in God our common father." Now that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs and of the same body, they are to be countenanced and encouraged, and called brethren.
2. Here is a just and severe rebuke to the judaizing teachers; (v. 24.) "We have heard, that certain which went out from us, have troubled you with words, and we are very much concerned to hear it; how this is to let them know, that those who preached this doctrine were false teachers, both as they produced a false commission, and as they taught a false doctrine."
(1.) They did a great deal of wrong to the apostles and ministers at Jerusalem, in pretending that they had instructions from them, to impose the ceremonial law upon the Gentiles, when there was no colour for such a pretension. "They went out from us indeed, they were such as belonged to our church, which, when they had a mind to travel, we gave them perhaps a testimonial of; but, as for their urging the law of Moses upon you, we gave them no such commandment, nor had we ever thought of such a thing, nor given them the least occasion to use our names in it." It is no new thing for apostolical authority to be pleaded in defence of those doctrines and practices which yet the apostles gave neither command nor encouragement for.
(2.) They did a great deal of wrong to the Gentile converts, in saying, Ye must be circumcised, and must keep the law. [1.] It perplexed them; "They have troubled you with words, have occasioned disturbance and disquietment to you; you depended upon those who told you, "If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you shall be saved; and now you are startled by those that tell you, You must keep the law of Moses, or you cannot be saved; by which you see yourselves drawn into a snare. They trouble you with words; words, and nothing else; very words; sound, but no substance." How has the church been troubled with words, by the pride of men that loved to hear themselves talk! [2.] It endangered them; they subverted their souls, put them into disorder, and pulled down that which had been built up. They took them off from pursuing pure Christianity, and minding the business of that, by filling their heads with the necessity of circumcision, and the law of Moses, which were nothing to the purpose.
3. Here is an honourable testimony given of the messengers by whom these letters were sent.
(1.) Of Paul and Barnabas, whom these judaizing teachers had opposed and censured as having done their work by the halves, because they had brought the Gentile converts to Christianity only, and not to Judaism. Let them say what they will of these men, [1.] "They are men that are dear to us, they are our beloved Barnabas and Paul; men whom
