Acts 21:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But what, you ask, if the Gentiles learn of this? Will they not be scandalized? How could they be, when we, teachers of the Jews, have sent them a letter? "But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should observe no such thing, but only keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from fornication." This is sufficient for refutation. Their words mean this: as we commanded them this, though we preach to Jews, so you also, though you preach to Gentiles, should act here in agreement with us.

As we give commandments to the Gentiles, though we preach to Jews, so also you should cooperate with us, though you preach to Gentiles. Do not be afraid. The matter is one of condescension.

Having arrived in Jerusalem, Paul went the very next day with his companions to the Apostle James. The presbyters of the Church then gathered to him. All listened with great interest to what Paul told them about the work of the Gospel among the Gentiles.

James only observed that there were now several thousand believing Jews in Jerusalem who nevertheless strictly observed the law of Moses. Some of the Judaizers were everywhere trying to present Paul’s actions in a bad light.

They had spread among them the rumor that Paul not only freed the Gentiles from observing the law of Moses. They said he also forbade Jews living among the Gentiles to circumcise their children, and generally taught them apostasy from the law.

When the Apostle Paul arrived in Jerusalem, the apostles and the other brethren there received him warmly. They glorified God as they listened to his accounts of what God had done through his hands among the Gentiles.

Yet all were troubled by fear that the apostle of the Gentiles might suffer insult and violence from the Jews. They had heard about him that he taught Jews living in the dispersion not to circumcise their children, and in general not to live according to the law of Moses.

To dispel this prejudice of the Jews against Paul, and thus deliver him from the danger threatening him, the Jerusalem presbyters gave him counsel. At their head was James, the Lord’s brother according to the flesh.

They advised Paul to take part in a temporary Nazarite vow borne by four Christians from among the Jews. They also advised him to take part in the public performance of this vow’s rites in the temple.

“But concerning the Gentiles who believe,” and so forth. The purpose of this reminder is plainly to remove every possible doubt Paul might have about accepting their counsel.

The freedom of the Christians from among the Gentiles, who were so dear to Paul’s heart, remains unshaken while this counsel is fulfilled. They are free from observing the law of Moses.

“We wrote,” and so forth. This points to the letter containing the decree of the apostolic council on this matter; see Acts 15:22-29. Paul knew this and preached it; cf. Acts 16:4.

It is recalled to him in order to assure him that this decree remains unshaken and preserves its full force. Thus the counsel of James and the presbyters to Paul, and Paul’s fulfillment of it, are only a matter of wise foresight.

The discussion of the Gentiles observing certain laws of Moses is plainly conducted in the sense of some obligation of the law of Moses even for them. At the same time, it also serves to justify the Gentiles in not observing circumcision and the other rites.

In general, this mention of the Gentiles indicates a possible difference in the relation to the law of Moses among Christians from the Jews and from the Gentiles. This is, of course, entirely correct in general.

Yet in particular matters there could be, and there were, great disagreements about what one could or should do, and from what one could be free. The Apostle Paul resolved this by proceeding from the essence of the law.