Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
Parallel translations
- WEB “Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,
- BSB It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
- NKJV Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,
- NASB Therefore, it is my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God,
- NLT “And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
James judges that they should not trouble Gentiles turning to God. Gentile believers should not be burdened with the demand of the law.
Overview
James's verdict directly answers the false teachers: do not impose circumcision and law-keeping on Gentile converts. The word 'trouble' echoes the unsettling effect the agitators had caused. His judgment safeguards the gospel of grace while showing pastoral care for those coming to God through Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Acts 15:28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
- Gal 1:7–10Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
- 1 Th 1:9For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
- Acts 15:24Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
- Acts 26:20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
- Hos 14:2Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
- Isa 55:7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
- Acts 15:10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
- Gal 5:11–12And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
- Gal 2:4And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
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Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.