Acts 15:24-27 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Forasmuch as we have heard, &c. The simplicity, weightiness, and conciseness of this letter, are highly observable; that certain which went out from us That is, pretending to be sent out by us; have troubled you with words By requiring you to be circumcised and to keep the law; subverting your souls That is, unsettling your minds; to whom we gave no such commandment No commission to make use of our names, or teach any such doctrine. It seemed good unto us After duly considering the matter in a general assembly, called for the purpose; to send chosen men unto you Men of our own body; with our beloved Barnabas and Paul Whom we greatly respect, as men that have hazarded their lives In repeated instances, and with great courage; for the name of our Lord Jesus Such a testimony as this to the reputation of Paul and Barnabas was by no means a mere compliment, but exceedingly prudent, as it might tend to remove the prejudices conceived against them by the Jewish converts or teachers, who, as appears from many passages of the epistles, endeavoured as much as possible to lessen the character of these apostles. It would also be an evidence of the harmony subsisting between them and those of the circumcision. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas Men that have heard our debates, and are perfectly acquainted with our judgment and decision. This precaution of sending approved witnesses along with the copy of the decree, which was delivered to Barnabas and Paul, was intended to prevent the zealous and bigoted Judaizers from affirming that the letter did not contain a just account of what was determined by the church. For these chosen men, having assisted at the council, would not only tell the brethren of Antioch the same things by mouth, but attest that it was the unanimous opinion of the whole assembly.