When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
Parallel translations
- WEB When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.
- KJV Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
- BSB When the people read it, they rejoiced at its encouraging message.
- NKJV When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.
- NLT And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.
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
On reading it, the believers rejoiced at the encouragement. The good news of grace upheld brought real joy.
Overview
The Gentile Christians were relieved and gladdened to learn they need not be circumcised or keep the law to be saved. Their joy reflects the freedom of the gospel preserved by the council. This response confirms that the decision was received as good and encouraging news, not as a compromise.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Gal 2:4–5This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage;
- Gal 5:1Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
- Phil 3:3For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;
- Acts 15:1Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.”
- Acts 15:10Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
- Acts 16:5So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.
How Acts 15:31 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
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