Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 15]
presbuteroi, adelphoi\). So the oldest and best MSS. without
\kai\ (and) before "brethren." This punctuation is probably
correct and not "elder brethren." The inquiry had been sent to
the apostles and elders (verse 2) though the whole church
joined in the welcome (verse 4) and in the decision (verse
22). The apostles and elders send the epistle, but call
themselves "brothers to brothers," _Fratres Fratibus Salutem_.
"The brothers" (\tois adelphois\) addressed (dative case) are of
the Gentiles (\ex ethn•n\) and those in Antioch, Syria, and
Cilicia, because they were immediately involved. But the decision
of this Conference was meant for Gentile Christians everywhere
(16:4). {Greeting} (\Chairein\). The customary formula in the
beginning of letters, the absolute infinitive (usually
\chairein\) with the nominative absolute also as in Jas 1:1; Ac
23:26 and innumerable papyri (Robertson, _Grammar_, pp. 1902f.).
15:24 {Certain which went from us} (\tines ex h•m•n\, Aleph B
omit \exelthontes\). A direct blow at the Judaizers, put in
delicate language (we heard \•kousamen\) as if only at Antioch
(15:1), and not also in Jerusalem in open meeting (15:5).
{Have troubled you with words} (\etaraxan humas logois\). What a
picture of turmoil in the church in Antioch, words, words, words.
Aorist tense of the common verb \tarass•\, to agitate, to make
the heart palpitate (Joh 14:1,27) and instrumental case of
\logois\. {Subverting your souls} (\anaskeuazontes tas psuchas
hum•n\). Present active participle of \anaskeuaz•\, old verb
(\ana\ and \skeuos\, baggage) to pack up baggage, to plunder, to
ravage. Powerful picture of the havoc wrought by the Judaizers
among the simple-minded Greek Christians in Antioch. {To whom we
gave no commandment} (\hois ou diesteilametha\). First aorist
middle indicative of \diastell•\, old verb to draw asunder, to
distinguish, to set forth distinctly, to command. This is a flat
disclaimer of the whole conduct of the Judaizers in Antioch and
in Jerusalem, a complete repudiation of their effort to impose
the Mosaic ceremonial law upon the Gentile Christians.
15:25 {It seemed good unto us} (\edoxen h•min\). See statement by
Luke in verse 22, and now this definite decision is in the
epistle itself. It is repeated in verse 28. {Having come to one
accord} (\genomenois homothumadon\). On this adverb, common in
Acts, see on ¯1:14. But \genomenois\ clearly means that the
final unity was the result of the Conference (private and public
talks). The Judaizers are here brushed to one side as the
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