Acts 21:25
New International Version
As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”

New Living Translation
“As for the Gentile believers, they should do what we already told them in a letter: They should abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”

English Standard Version
But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

Berean Standard Bible
As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”

Berean Literal Bible
Now concerning those of the Gentiles having believed, we wrote, having adjudged them to keep from both the things offered to idols, and blood, and what is strangled, and sexual immorality."

King James Bible
As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

New King James Version
But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

New American Standard Bible
But regarding the Gentiles who have believed, we sent a letter, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and what is strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

NASB 1995
“But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.”

NASB 1977
“But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.”

Legacy Standard Bible
But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should keep from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from sexual immorality.”

Amplified Bible
But with regard to the Gentiles who have believed [in Christ], we have sent them a letter with our decision that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from [consuming] blood and from [the meat of] what has been strangled and from sexual immorality.”

Christian Standard Bible
With regard to the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter containing our decision that they should keep themselves from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
With regard to the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter containing our decision that they should keep themselves from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

American Standard Version
But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.

Contemporary English Version
Some while ago we told the Gentile followers what we think they should do. We instructed them not to eat anything offered to idols. They were told not to eat any meat with blood still in it or the meat of an animal that has been strangled. They were also told not to commit any terrible sexual sins.

English Revised Version
But as touching the Gentiles which have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"[To clarify this matter,] we have written non-Jewish believers a letter with our decision. We told them that they should not eat food sacrificed to false gods, bloody meat, or the meat of strangled animals. They also should not commit sexual sins."

Good News Translation
But as for the Gentiles who have become believers, we have sent them a letter telling them we decided that they must not eat any food that has been offered to idols, or any blood, or any animal that has been strangled, and that they must keep themselves from sexual immorality."

International Standard Version
As for the gentiles who have become believers, we have sent a letter with our decision that they should keep away from food that has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from anything strangled, and from sexual immorality."

Majority Standard Bible
As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should observe no such thing, except that they must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”

NET Bible
But regarding the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter, having decided that they should avoid meat that has been sacrificed to idols and blood and what has been strangled and sexual immorality."

New Heart English Bible
But concerning the non-Jewish who believe, we have written our decision that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality."

Webster's Bible Translation
As concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from lewdness.

Weymouth New Testament
But as for the Gentiles who have accepted the faith, we have communicated to them our decision that they are carefully to abstain from anything sacrificed to an idol, from blood, from what is strangled, and from fornication."

World English Bible
But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our decision that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And concerning those of the nations who have believed, we have written, having given judgment, that they observe no such thing, except to keep themselves both from idol-sacrifices, and blood, and a strangled thing, and whoredom.”

Berean Literal Bible
Now concerning those of the Gentiles having believed, we wrote, having adjudged them to keep from both the things offered to idols, and blood, and what is strangled, and sexual immorality."

Young's Literal Translation
'And concerning those of the nations who have believed, we have written, having given judgment, that they observe no such thing, except to keep themselves both from idol-sacrifices, and blood, and a strangled thing, and whoredom.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And of the nations having believed, we have written having judged them to keep nothing such, except to watch themselves from that sacrificed to idols, and blood, and strangulation, and harlotry.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But as touching the Gentiles that believe, we have written, decreeing that they should only refrain themselves from that which has been offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangles, and from fornication.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But, about those Gentiles who have believed, we have written a judgment that they should keep themselves from what has been immolated to idols, and from blood, and from what has been suffocated, and from fornication.”

New American Bible
As for the Gentiles who have come to believe, we sent them our decision that they abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage.”

New Revised Standard Version
But as for the Gentiles who have become believers, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
As for the believers amongst the Gentiles, we have written that they should abstain from the things sacrificed to idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But concerning those who believe among the Gentiles, we have written that they would keep themselves from what is sacrificed, from fornication, from strangled things and from blood.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But with respect to the Gentiles that believe, we have written; having decided that they should observe no such thing; but that they keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from lewdness.

Godbey New Testament
But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent to them, adjudicating that they keep themselves from idolatry, and blood, and strangulation, and fornication.

Haweis New Testament
Concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we have already written, deciding that they should observe no such thing, except that they should guard themselves from idol sacrifices, and blood, and what is strangled, and from whoredom.

Mace New Testament
as for the believing Gentiles, we have given them by letter this decision, "they need only take care to abstain from meats offered to idols, from blood, from the flesh of animals strangled, and from fornication."

Weymouth New Testament
But as for the Gentiles who have accepted the faith, we have communicated to them our decision that they are carefully to abstain from anything sacrificed to an idol, from blood, from what is strangled, and from fornication."

Worrell New Testament
But concerning the gentiles who have believed, we sent to them, having given judgment, that they should keep themselves from idol-sacrifices, and from blood, and from anything strangled, and from fornication."

Worsley New Testament
But as to the believing Gentiles, we have written and determined, that they need observe no such thing; only to keep themselves from what is offered to idols, and from blood, and from any thing strangled, and from fornication.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Arrival at Jerusalem
24Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.” 26So the next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he entered the temple to give notice of the date when their purification would be complete and the offering would be made for each of them.…

Cross References
Acts 15:19-20
It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God. / Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.

Acts 15:28-29
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: / You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

Leviticus 17:10-14
If anyone from the house of Israel or a foreigner living among them eats any blood, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from among his people. / For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. / Therefore I say to the Israelites, ‘None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner living among you eat blood.’ ...

Leviticus 18:6-18
None of you are to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD. / You must not expose the nakedness of your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; you must not have sexual relations with her. / You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father. ...

Leviticus 18:26-30
But you are to keep My statutes and ordinances, and you must not commit any of these abominations—neither your native-born nor the foreigner who lives among you. / For the men who were in the land before you committed all these abominations, and the land has become defiled. / So if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it spewed out the nations before you. ...

Leviticus 19:26
You must not eat anything with blood still in it. You must not practice divination or sorcery.

Leviticus 20:22-26
You are therefore to keep all My statutes and ordinances, so that the land where I am bringing you to live will not vomit you out. / You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them. / But I have told you that you will inherit their land, since I will give it to you as an inheritance—a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the peoples. ...

Genesis 9:4
But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it.

Exodus 34:15-16
Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices. / And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same.

Deuteronomy 12:16
but you must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water.

Deuteronomy 12:23-25
Only be sure not to eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat. / You must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water. / Do not eat it, so that it may go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is right in the eyes of the LORD.

Deuteronomy 14:21
You are not to eat any carcass; you may give it to the foreigner residing within your gates, and he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner. For you are a holy people belonging to the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. / The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. / But the one who loves God is known by God. ...

1 Corinthians 10:19-28
Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too. ...

Romans 14:1-3
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions. / For one person has faith to eat all things, while another, who is weak, eats only vegetables. / The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him.


Treasury of Scripture

As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

we have.

Acts 15:20,29
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood…

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Abstain Accepted Believe Blood Carefully Concluded Decided Decision Except Faith Food Fornication Gentile Gentiles Idol Idols Immorality Judgment Lewdness Meat Observe Offered Offerings Sacrificed Save Sexual Strangled Themselves Touching Written Wrote
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Abstain Accepted Believe Blood Carefully Concluded Decided Decision Except Faith Food Fornication Gentile Gentiles Idol Idols Immorality Judgment Lewdness Meat Observe Offered Offerings Sacrificed Save Sexual Strangled Themselves Touching Written Wrote
Acts 21
1. Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy.
10. Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem,
13. he will not be dissuaded from going thither.
17. He comes to Jerusalem;
27. where he is apprehended, and in great danger, but by the chief captain is rescued;
37. and requests, and is permitted to speak to the people.














As for the Gentile believers
This phrase refers to the non-Jewish followers of Christ. The Greek term for "Gentile" is "ethnos," which means nations or peoples distinct from the Jewish nation. Historically, the early church grappled with how to integrate Gentile converts into what was initially a Jewish sect. This phrase underscores the inclusivity of the Gospel, affirming that salvation through Christ is available to all nations, fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19).

we have written to them our decision
The phrase indicates a formal communication, likely referring to the letter from the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. The Greek word "epistolē" (letter) suggests an authoritative directive. This decision was crucial in maintaining unity within the early church, balancing Jewish customs with the freedom found in Christ. It reflects the early church's commitment to guidance through collective discernment and the Holy Spirit's leading.

that they must abstain
The Greek word "apechomai" means to hold oneself back or refrain. This instruction is not merely a suggestion but a directive for the Gentile believers to consciously avoid certain practices. It highlights the importance of living a life set apart, reflecting holiness and obedience to God's commands.

from food sacrificed to idols
This refers to meat offered in pagan rituals, a common practice in the Greco-Roman world. The Greek term "eidōlothutos" combines "eidōlon" (idol) and "thuo" (sacrifice). Abstaining from such food was crucial to avoid participating in idolatry, a direct violation of the first commandment. It also served to maintain a clear witness to the surrounding culture about the distinctiveness of Christian worship.

from blood
The prohibition against consuming blood has roots in the Old Testament (Leviticus 17:10-14). The Greek word "haima" means blood, and this command reflects the sanctity of life, as blood symbolizes life itself. This instruction underscores the continuity of God's moral law and the respect for life that transcends the Old and New Covenants.

from the meat of strangled animals
This refers to animals killed without the blood being drained, which was a common practice among Gentiles. The Greek word "pniktos" means strangled. This prohibition aligns with the Jewish dietary laws, emphasizing the importance of purity and respect for God's creation. It also served to prevent unnecessary offense to Jewish believers, promoting unity within the diverse body of Christ.

and from sexual immorality
The Greek word "porneia" encompasses all forms of illicit sexual behavior. This command is consistent with the moral teachings throughout Scripture, affirming the sanctity of marriage and sexual purity. In a culture rife with sexual immorality, this directive called believers to a higher standard, reflecting the holiness of God and the transformative power of the Gospel.

(25) As touching the Gentiles which believe.--See Note on Acts 15:20. St. James, it will be seen, adheres still to the terms of the concordat sanctioned at the council of Jerusalem. He has no desire to withdraw any concession that was then made, and the Judaisers who in Galatia and elsewhere were, in his name, urging the necessity of circumcision, were acting without authority. He thinks it fair to call on St. Paul to show that he too adheres to the compact, and has no wish to disparage the "customs" of the Law. St Paul, it will be seen, readily acts upon the suggestion. All promised well; but an interruption came from an unexpected quarter and overturned what seemed so wisely planned in the interests of peace.

Verse 25. - But as for as, A.V.; have believed for believe, A.V.; wrote giving judgment for have written and concluded, A.V.; the R.T. omits the clause rendered that they observe no such thing, save only, in the A.V.; should keep for keep, A.V.; sacrificed for offered, A.V.; what is strangled for strangled, A.V. As touching the Gentiles, etc. What follows is, of course, a quotation from "the decrees that had been ordained of the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem" (Acts 16:4), of which the text is given in Acts 15:19, 20, 28. Observe the use of the identical words - κρίνω, in Acts 15:19; Acts 16:4; and in this verse; and of ἐπιστέλλω, in this verse and in Acts 15:20, with its cognate διεστειλάμεθα and ἀπεστάλκαμεν, Acts 15:24, 27. This reference on the part of James to the decrees was very important as a confirmation of "the gospel which Paul preached among the Gentiles" (Galatians 2:2). It also marks distinctly the upright and honorable conduct of James, and the concord of the apostles.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
As for
Περὶ (Peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Gentile
ἐθνῶν (ethnōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

believers,
πεπιστευκότων (pepisteukotōn)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.

we
ἡμεῖς (hēmeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

have written [them]
ἐπεστείλαμεν (epesteilamen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1989: To write, send by letter to. From epi and stello; to enjoin, i.e. to communicate by letter.

our decision
κρίναντες (krinantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2919: Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.

[that] they
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

must abstain
φυλάσσεσθαι (phylassesthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle
Strong's 5442: Probably from phule through the idea of isolation; to watch, i.e. Be on guard; by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid.

from [food]
τό (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sacrificed to idols,
εἰδωλόθυτον (eidōlothyton)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1494: Neuter of a compound of eidolon and a presumed derivative of thuo; an image-sacrifice, i.e. Part of an idolatrous offering.

[from]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

blood,
αἷμα (haima)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 129: Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.

[from]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the meat of strangled animals,
πνικτὸν (pnikton)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4156: Strangled (i.e. killed without letting out the blood). From pnigo; throttled, i.e. an animal choked to death.

and [from]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

sexual immorality.”
πορνείαν (porneian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4202: Fornication, whoredom; met: idolatry. From porneuo; harlotry; figuratively, idolatry.


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NT Apostles: Acts 21:25 But concerning the Gentiles who believe we (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 21:24
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