Judges 1
1599 Geneva Bible
The Book of Judges
1 After Joshua was dead, Judah was constituted captain. 6 Adoni-Bezek is taken. 14 The request of Achsah. 16 The children of Keni. 23 The Canaanites are made tributaries, but not destroyed.
1 After that Joshua was dead, the children of Israel [a]asked the Lord, saying, [b]Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites to fight first against them?
2 And the Lord said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have given the land into his hand.
3 And Judah said unto Simeon his [c]brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites: and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot: so Simeon went with him.
4 Then Judah went up, and the Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hands, and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men.
5 And they found [d]Adoni-Bezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and slew the Canaanites, and the Perizzites.
6 But Adoni-Bezek fled, and they pursued after him, and caught him, and [e]cut off the thumbs of his hands and of his feet.
7 And Adoni-Bezek said, Seventy Kings having the thumbs of their hands and of their feet cut off, gathered bread under my table: as I have done, so God hath rewarded me, so they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.
8 (Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and hath taken it and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and had set the [f]city on fire.)
9 ¶ Afterward also the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and toward the South, and in the low country.
10 And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron, which Hebron beforetime was called (A)Kirjath Arba: and they slew [g]Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.
11 And from thence he went to the inhabitants of Debir, and the name of Debir in old time was Kirjath Sepher.
12 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath Sepher, and taketh it, even to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.
13 And Othniel the son of Kenaz Caleb’s younger brother took it, to whom he gave Achsah his daughter to wife.
14 And when she came to him, she moved him to ask of her father a field, [h]and she lighted off her ass, and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?
15 And she answered him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a South country, give me also Springs of water: and Caleb gave her the springs above, and the springs beneath.
16 ¶ And the children of [i]Keni Moses’ father-in-law went up out of the city of the palm trees with the children of Judah, into the wilderness of Judah, that lieth in the South of Arad, and went and dwelt among the people.
17 But Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it, and called the name of the city (B)Hormah.
18 Also Judah took [j]Gaza with the coasts thereof, and Ashkelon with the coasts thereof, and Ekron with the coasts thereof.
19 And the Lord was with Judah, and he possessed the mountains: for he could not drive out the inhabitants of the valleys, because they had chariots of iron.
20 And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as (C)Moses had said, and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.
21 But the children of Benjamin did not cast out the Jebusites, that [k]inhabited Jerusalem: therefore the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.
22 ¶ They also that were of the house of Joseph, went up to Bethel, and the Lord was with them,
23 And the house of Joseph caused to view Bethel (and the name of the city beforetime was (D)Luz.)
24 And the spies saw a man come out of the city, and they said unto him, Show us, we pray thee, the way into the city, (E)and we will show thee mercy.
25 And when he had showed them the way into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword, but they let the man and all his household depart.
26 Then the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz, which is the name thereof unto this day.
27 ¶ (F)Neither did Manasseh destroy Beth Shean with her towns, nor Taanach with her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor with her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam with her towns, neither the inhabitants of Megiddo with her towns: [l]but the Canaanites dwelled still in that land.
28 Nevertheless when Israel was strong, they put the Canaanites to tribute, and expelled them not wholly.
29 ¶ (G)Likewise Ephraim expelled not the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer, but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them.
30 ¶ Neither did [m]Zebulun expel the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol, but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries.
31 ¶ Neither did Asher cast out the inhabitants of Acco, nor the inhabitants of Sidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob,
32 But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them [n]out.
33 ¶ Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, nor the inhabitants of Beth Anath, but dwelt among the Canaanites the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, and of Beth Anath became tributaries unto them.
34 And the Amorites [o]drove the children of Dan into the mountain: so that they suffered them not to come down to the valley.
35 And the Amorites [p]dwelt still in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim, and when the [q]hand of Joseph’s family prevailed, they became tributaries:
36 And the coast of the Amorites was from Maaleh-Akrabbim, even from [r]Sela and upward.
Footnotes
- Judges 1:1 By the judgment of Urim, read Exod. 28:30; Num. 27:21; 1 Sam. 28:6.
- Judges 1:1 Who shall be our captain?
- Judges 1:3 For the tribe of Simeon had their inheritance within the tribe of Judah, Josh. 19:1.
- Judges 1:5 Or, the lord of Bezek.
- Judges 1:6 This was God’s just judgment, as the tyrant himself confesseth, that as he had done, so did he receive, Lev. 24:19,20.
- Judges 1:8 Which was afterward built again, and possessed by the Jebusites, 2 Sam. 5:6.
- Judges 1:10 These three were giants, and the children of Anak.
- Judges 1:14 Read Josh. 15:18.
- Judges 1:16 This was one of the names of Moses’ father-in-law, read Num. 10:29.
- Judges 1:18 These cities and others were afterward possessed of the Philistines, 1 Sam. 6:17.
- Judges 1:21 For after that the tribe of Judah had burnt it, they built it again.
- Judges 1:27 Wherefore God permitted the Canaanites to dwell still in the land, read Judg. 3:5.
- Judges 1:30 That is, the tribe of Zebulun as is also to be understood of the rest.
- Judges 1:32 But made them pay tribute as the others did.
- Judges 1:34 Or, afflicted them.
- Judges 1:35 Or, would dwell.
- Judges 1:35 Meaning, when he was stronger than they.
- Judges 1:36 Which was a city in Arabia, or as some read, from the rock.
Judges 2
1599 Geneva Bible
2 1 The Angel rebuketh the people, because they had made peace with the Canaanites. 11 The Israelites fell to idolatry after Joshua’s death. 14 They are delivered into the enemies’ hands: 16 God delivereth them by Judges. 21 Why God suffered idolaters to remain among them.
1 And an [a]Angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I had sworn unto your fathers, and said, I will never break my covenant with you.
2 (A)Ye also shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land, (B)but shall break down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice. Why have ye done this?
3 Wherefore, I said also, I will not cast them out before you, but they shall be (C)as thorns unto your sides, and their gods shall be your [b]destruction.
4 And when the Angel of the Lord spake these words unto all the children of Israel, the people lifted up their voice, and wept.
5 Therefore they called the name of that place, [c]Bochim, and offered sacrifices there unto the Lord.
6 ¶ Now when Joshua had [d]sent the people away, the children of Israel went every man into his inheritance, to possess the land.
7 And the people had served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the Elders that outlived Joshua, which had seen all the great [e]works of the Lord that he did for Israel.
8 But Joshua the son of Nun the servant of the Lord died, when he was an hundred and ten years old:
9 And they buried him in the coasts of his inheritance, in [f]Timnath Heres in mount Ephraim, on the North side of mount Gaash.
10 And so all that generation was gathered unto their fathers, and another generation arose after them, which neither knew the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
11 ¶ Then the children of Israel did wickedly in the sight of the Lord, and served [g]Baal,
12 And forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt and followed other gods, even the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger.
13 So they forsook the Lord, and served (D)Baal, and [h]Ashtoreth.
14 And the wrath of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers, that spoiled them, and he (E)sold them into the hands of their enemies round about them, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies.
15 [i]Whithersoever they went out, the [j]hand of the Lord was sore against them, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn unto them: so he punished them sore.
16 ¶ Notwithstanding, the Lord raised up [k]Judges, which [l]delivered them out of the hands of their oppressors.
17 But yet they would not obey their Judges for they went a whoring after other gods, and worshipped them, and turned quickly out of the [m]way, wherein their fathers walked, obeying the commandments of the Lord: they did not so.
18 And when the Lord had raised them up Judges, the Lord was with the Judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the Judge (for the Lord [n]had compassion of their groanings, [o]because of them that oppressed them and tormented them.)
19 Yet (F)when the Judge was dead, they returned, and [p]did worse than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and worship them: they ceased not from their own inventions, nor from their rebellious way.
20 Wherefore the wrath of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he said, Because this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and hath not obeyed my voice,
21 Therefore will I no more cast out before them any of the [q]nations, which Joshua left when he died,
22 That through them I may [r]prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord, to walk therein, as their fathers kept it, or not.
23 So the Lord left those nations, and drove them not out immediately, neither delivered them into the hand of Joshua.
Footnotes
- Judges 2:1 That is, messenger, or prophet, as some think, Phinehas.
- Judges 2:3 Or, snare.
- Judges 2:5 Or, weeping.
- Judges 2:6 After that he had divided to every man his portion by lot, Josh. 24:28.
- Judges 2:7 Meaning, the wonders and miracles.
- Judges 2:9 Here, by turning the letters backward is Sereh, as Josh. 24:30.
- Judges 2:11 That is, all manner of idols.
- Judges 2:13 These were Idols, which had the form of an ewe or sheep among the Sidonians.
- Judges 2:15 In all their enterprises.
- Judges 2:15 The vengeance.
- Judges 2:16 Or, magistrates.
- Judges 2:16 Hebrew, saved.
- Judges 2:17 Meaning, from the true religion.
- Judges 2:18 Hebrew, repented.
- Judges 2:18 Seeing their cruelty.
- Judges 2:19 Hebrew, corrupt themselves.
- Judges 2:21 As the Hivites, Jebusites, Amorites, etc.
- Judges 2:22 So that both outward enemies and false prophets are but a trial to prove our faith, Deut. 13:3 and Judg. 3:1.
Judges 3
1599 Geneva Bible
3 1 The Canaanites were left to try Israel. 9 Othniel delivereth Israel. 21 Ehud killeth King Eglon. 31 Shamgar killeth the Philistines.
1 These now are the nations which the Lord left, that he might prove Israel by them (even as many of Israel as had not known all the [a]wars of Canaan,
2 Only to make the generations of the children of Israel to know, and to teach them war, which doubtless their predecessors knew [b]not.)
3 Five princes of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal Hermon until one come to Hamath.
4 And these remained to prove Israel by them, to wit, whether they would obey the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
5 And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites,
6 And they took [c]their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
7 ¶ So the children of Israel did wickedly in the sight of the Lord, and forgot the Lord their God, and served Baal, and [d]Asherah.
8 Therefore the wrath of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim King of [e]Aram-naharaim, and the children of Israel served Cushan-Rishathaim eight years.
9 ¶ And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord stirred up a Savior to the children of Israel, and he saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.
10 And the [f]Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Cushan-Rishathaim king of [g]Aram into his hand, and his hand prevailed against Cushan-Rishathaim.
11 So the land had rest [h]forty years, and Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
12 ¶ Then the children of Israel again committed wickedness in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord [i]strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel, because they had committed wickedness before the Lord.
13 And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon, and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and they possessed the city of palm trees.
14 So the children of Israel served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years.
15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord stirred them up a savior, Ehud the son of Gera the son of [j]Jemini, a man [k]lame of his right hand: and the children of Israel sent a present by him unto Eglon king of Moab.
16 And Ehud [l]made him a dagger with two edges of a cubit length, and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh,
17 And he presented the gift unto Eglon king of Moab (and Eglon was a very fat man.)
18 And when he had now presented the present, he sent away the people that bare the present,
19 But he turned again from the [m]quarries, that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O King. Who said, Keep [n]silence: and all that stood about him went out from him.
20 Then Ehud came unto him, (and he sat alone in a summer parlor, which he had) and Ehud said, I have a message unto thee from God. Then he arose out of his throne.
21 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly,
22 So that the haft went in after the blade, and the fat closed about the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly, but the dirt came out.
23 Then Ehud got him out into the [o]porch, and shut the doors of the parlor upon him, and locked them.
24 And when he was gone out, his servants came: who seeing that the doors of the parlor were locked, they said, Surely [p]he doeth his easement in his summer chamber.
25 And they tarried till they were ashamed: and seeing he opened not the doors of the parlor, they took the key, and opened them, and behold, their lord was fallen dead on the earth.
26 So Ehud escaped (while they tarried) and was past the quarries, and escaped unto Seirah,
27 And when he came home, he [q]blew a trumpet in mount Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mountain, and he went before them.
28 Then said he unto them, Follow me: for the Lord hath delivered your enemies, even Moab into your hand. So they went down after him, and took the passages of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.
29 And they slew of the Moabites the same time about ten thousand men, all [r]fed men, and all were warriors, and there escaped not a man.
30 So Moab was [s]subdued that day, under the hand of Israel: and the [t]land had rest fourscore years.
31 ¶ And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox [u]goad, and he also delivered Israel.
Footnotes
- Judges 3:1 Which were achieved by the hand of God, and not by the power of man.
- Judges 3:2 For they trusted in God, and he fought for them.
- Judges 3:6 Contrary to God’s commandment, Deut. 3:7.
- Judges 3:7 Trees or woods erected for idolatry.
- Judges 3:8 Or, Mesopotamia.
- Judges 3:10 He was stirred up by the Spirit of the Lord.
- Judges 3:10 Or, Syria.
- Judges 3:11 That is, 32 under Joshua, and eight under Othniel.
- Judges 3:12 So that the enemies of God’s people have no power over them, but by God’s appointment.
- Judges 3:15 Or, Benjamin.
- Judges 3:15 Or, left handed.
- Judges 3:16 Or, caused a dagger to be made.
- Judges 3:19 Or, as some read from the places of idols.
- Judges 3:19 Till all be departed.
- Judges 3:23 Or, hall.
- Judges 3:24 Hebrew, he covereth his feet.
- Judges 3:27 Or, caused the trumpet to be blown, Num. 20:2,3.
- Judges 3:29 Or, strong, and big bodied.
- Judges 3:30 Hebrew, humbled.
- Judges 3:30 Meaning, the Israelites.
- Judges 3:31 So that it is not the number, nor the means that God regardeth, when he will get the victory.
Acts 15
1599 Geneva Bible
15 1 Certain go about to bring in circumcision at Antioch: 6 About which matter the Apostles consult: 19 and what must be done 23 they declare by letters. 36 Paul and Barnabas 39 are at great variance.
1 Then [a]came down [b]certain from Judea, and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 [c]And when there was great dissension, and disputation by Paul and Barnabas against them, they ordained that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this question.
3 Thus [d]being brought forth by the Church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy unto all the brethren.
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the Church, and of the Apostles and Elders, and they declared what things God had done by them.
5 But said they, certain of the sect of the Pharisees, which did believe, rose up, saying that it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.
6 [e]Then the Apostles and Elders came together to look to this matter.
7 And when there had been great disputation, Peter rose up, and said unto them, (A)[f]Ye men and brethren, ye know that a [g]good while ago, among us God chose out me, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe.
8 And God which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, in giving unto them the holy Ghost even as he did unto us.
9 And he put no [h]difference between us and them, after that (B)[i]by faith he had purified their hearts.
10 [j]Now therefore, why [k]tempt ye God, to (C)lay a yoke on the disciples’ necks, which neither our fathers, nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, even as they do.
12 [l]Then all the multitude kept silence, and heard Barnabas and Paul, which told what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them.
13 And when they held their peace, [m]James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me.
14 [n]Simeon hath declared, how God first did visit the Gentiles, to take of them a people unto his Name.
15 And to this agree the words of the Prophets, as it is written,
16 (D)After this I will return, and will build again the Tabernacle of David, which is fallen down, and the ruins thereof will I build again, and I will set it up.
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my Name is called, saith the Lord which doeth all these things.
18 From the beginning of the world, God [o]knoweth all his works.
19 [p]Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them of the Gentiles that are turned to God,
20 But that we send unto them, that they abstain themselves from [q]filthiness of idols, and fornication, and that is strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, seeing he is read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day.
22 [r]Then it seemed good to the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: to wit, Judas whose surname was Barsabas, and Silas, which were chief men among the brethren,
23 And wrote letters by them after this manner, THE APOSTLES, and the Elders, and the brethren, Unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch, and in Syria, and in Cilicia, send greeting.
24 [s]Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which [t]went out from us, have troubled you with words, and [u]cumbered your minds, saying, Ye must be circumcised and keep the Law: to whom we gave no such commandment,
25 It seemed therefore good to us, when we were come together with one accord, to [send] chosen men unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.
26 Men that have [v]given up their lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, which shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28 [w]For it seemed good to the [x]holy Ghost, and [y]to us, to lay no more burden upon you, than these [z]necessary things.
29 [aa]That is, that ye abstain from things offered to idols, and blood, and that that is strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30 [ab]Now when they were departed, they came to Antioch, and after that they had assembled the multitude, they delivered the Epistle,
31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32 And Judas and Silas being Prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and strengthened them.
33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in [ac]peace of the brethren unto the Apostles.
34 Notwithstanding Silas thought good to abide there still.
35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others the word of the Lord.
36 ¶ [ad]But after certain days, Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return and visit our brethren in every city, where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
37 [ae]And Barnabas counseled to take with them John, called Mark.
38 But Paul thought it not meet to take him unto their company, which departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39 [af]Then were they so [ag]stirred, that they departed asunder one from the other, so that Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus.
40 And Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended of the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, establishing the Churches.
Footnotes
- Acts 15:1 The Church is at length troubled with dissension within itself, and the trouble riseth of the proud and stubborn wits of certain evil men: The first strife was concerning the office of Christ, whether we be saved by his only righteousness apprehended by faith, or we have need also to observe the Law.
- Acts 15:1 Epiphanius is of opinion that this was Cerinthus.
- Acts 15:2 Meetings of Congregations were instituted to suppress heresies, whereunto certain were sent by common consent in the name of all.
- Acts 15:3 Courteously and lovingly brought on their way by the Church, that is, by certain appointed by the Church.
- Acts 15:6 The matter is first handled, both parts being heard in the assembly of the Apostles and ancients, and after is communicated with the people.
- Acts 15:7 God himself in calling of the Gentiles which are uncircumcised, did teach that our salvation doth consist in faith without the worship appointed by the Law.
- Acts 15:7 Word for word, of old time, that is, even from the first time that we were commanded to preach the Gospel, and straightways after that the holy Ghost came down upon us.
- Acts 15:9 He put no difference between us and them, as touching the benefit of his free favor.
- Acts 15:9 Christ pronounceth them Blessed, which are pure of heart: and here we are plainly taught that men are made such by faith.
- Acts 15:10 Peter passing from the Ceremonies to the Law itself in general, showeth that none could be saved, if salvation were to be sought for by the Law, and not by grace only in Jesus Christ; because that no man could ever fulfil the Law, neither Patriarch, nor Apostle.
- Acts 15:10 Why tempt ye God, as though he could not save by faith?
- Acts 15:12 A true pattern of a lawful Council, where God’s truth only reigneth.
- Acts 15:13 The son of Alphaeus, who is called the Lord’s brother.
- Acts 15:14 James confirmeth the calling of the Gentiles, out of the word of God, therein agreeing to Peter.
- Acts 15:18 And therefore nothing cometh to pass by fortune, but by God’s appointment.
- Acts 15:19 In matters indifferent we may so far bear with the weakness of our brethren, as they may have time to be instructed.
- Acts 15:20 From sacrifices or from feasts which were kept in idols’ Temples.
- Acts 15:22 In a lawful Synod, neither they which are appointed and chosen Judges, appoint and determine anything tyrannously or upon a lordliness, neither doth the common multitude set themselves tumultuously against them, which sit as Judges by the word of God: as the like order also is held in publishing and ratifying those things which have been so determined and agreed upon.
- Acts 15:24 The Council of Jerusalem concludeth, that they trouble men’s consciences, which teach us to seek salvation in any other means than in Christ only, apprehended by faith, from whence soever they come, and whomsoever they pretend to be author of their vocation.
- Acts 15:24 From our congregation.
- Acts 15:24 A borrowed kind of speech taken of them which pull down that that was built up: and it is a very usual metaphor in the Scriptures: to say the Church is built, for, the Church is planted and stablished.
- Acts 15:26 Have greatly hazarded their lives.
- Acts 15:28 That is, a lawful Council, which the holy Ghost ruleth.
- Acts 15:28 First they made mention of the holy Ghost, that it may not seem to be any man’s work.
- Acts 15:28 Not that men have any authority of themselves, but to show the faithfulness that they used in their ministry and labor.
- Acts 15:28 This was no precise necessity, but in respect of the state of that time, that the Gentiles and the Jews might more peaceably live together with less occasion of quarrel.
- Acts 15:29 Charity is required even in things indifferent.
- Acts 15:30 It is requisite for all people to know certainly what to hold in matters of faith and religion, and not that the Church by ignorance and knowing nothing, should depend upon the pleasure of a few.
- Acts 15:33 This is an Hebrew kind of speech, which is as much to say, as the brethren wished them all prosperous success, and the Church dismissed them with good leave.
- Acts 15:36 Congregations or Churches do easily degenerate, unless they be diligently seen unto, and therefore went these Apostles to oversee such as they had planted, and for this cause also Synods were instituted and appointed.
- Acts 15:37 A lamentable example of discord between excellent men and very great friends, yet not for profane or their private affairs, neither yet for doctrine.
- Acts 15:39 God useth the faults of his servants to the profit and building of his Church, yet we have to take heed, even in the best matters that we pass not measure in our heat.
- Acts 15:39 They were in great heat: but herein we have to consider the force of God’s counsel: for by this means it came to pass, that the doctrine of the Gospel was exercised in many places.
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