Acts 15:1–12

Verse 1. Unless you be circumcised. Many who had been converted from Judaism, held that none, not even converted from paganism, could be saved, unless they were circumcised, and observed the other ceremonies of the law of Moses. Witham.—See Galatians 5:2.

The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”

Verse 2. To the apostles and priests, [1] where we find again presbyters in Greek, meaning bishops and priests. Witham.—Paul … should go to … Jerusalem. We learn from Galatians 2:2. 4 that Saint Paul undertook this journey in consequence of a divine revelation, and was accompanied by Barnabas and Titus, the latter of whom he would not suffer to be circumcised. Such confidence had he in the rectitude of the opinion he defended. From the example of Saint Paul and S. Barnabas, apostles, and men full of the Spirit of God, we learn, that as often as any contest arises about faith, recourse should be had to the supreme visible authority established by Jesus Christ, to have all differences adjusted. This is the order of divine Providence with regard to the Church; without it truth and unity could not be preserved; without it, the Church of God would be more defective and inefficient than any human government. Tell the Church: and if he will not hear the Church, let him be to thee as the heathen and the publican. Matthew 18:17.

Verse 7. Former days. Lit. in the days of old; that is, at the conversion of Cornelius, many years ago, about the year 35; and it was now 51. Witham.—Saint Peter at the head of the Council, spoke first; Saint James as Bishop of Jerusalem, spoke next, and all, as S. Jerom says, came into the sentence of Peter. Ep. lxxxix. ad Saint Augustine chapter 2.

Verse 10. Why tempt you God, by calling in question what he hath sufficiently attested, and approved, and by being incredulous to his promises of giving salvation to the Gentiles, and to all nations. Witham.

Verse 11. In the historical sense he is speaking of the prosperity of the house of Juda, in the reign of Ezechias, or their return from captivity. But in this respect, it is certain that the prophecy never had its entire accomplishment. The passage in the text is cited from the Septuagint. The Hebrew is, “I will raise up the house of David … that it may possess all the nations,” and so forth Now it is true that the nations never were subject to the house of David, or known by the name of the people of God; but by their vocation to the gospel, as Saint James explains it. Calmet.

TR adds “Christ”