And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
- KJV When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
- NKJV Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.
- NASB And after Paul and Barnabas had a heated argument and debate with them, the brothers determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.
- NLT Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question.
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
After sharp dispute, Paul, Barnabas, and others were sent to Jerusalem to settle the question. The early church addressed doctrinal conflict through deliberate, shared counsel.
Overview
Paul and Barnabas vigorously opposed the error, recognizing the gospel itself was at stake. Rather than splitting in chaos, the church sought resolution by appealing to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. This orderly process models how Christians should handle serious doctrinal disagreement by seeking unity grounded in apostolic truth.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 20
- Acts 15:22–23Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among the brothers,
- Gal 2:1–2Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also.
- Acts 15:6–7So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.
- Gal 1:6–10I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
- 2 Cor 11:5I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”
- Acts 11:30This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.
- Gal 2:5We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.
- Acts 15:4On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and apostles and elders, to whom they reported all that God had done through them.
- 1 Sam 8:7And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king.
- 1 Cor 9:19–23Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
- Acts 10:23So Peter invited them in as his guests. And the next day he got ready and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.
- Acts 21:18The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present.
- 1 Cor 1:1Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
- Exod 18:23If you follow this advice and God so directs you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people can go home in peace.”
- Acts 15:27Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to tell you in person the same things we are writing.
- Acts 16:4As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
- Acts 11:12The Spirit told me to accompany them without hesitation. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s home.
- Acts 15:25So we all agreed to choose men to send to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
- Jude 1:3Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.
- Phlm 1:8–9So although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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.
How Acts 15:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
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.