Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Then it seemed good (Tote edocen). First aorist active indicative of dokew. A regular idiom at the beginning of decrees. This Eirenicon of James commended itself to the whole assembly. Apparently a vote was taken which was unanimous, the Judaizers probably not voting. The apostles and the elders (toiv apostoloiv kai toiv presbuteroiv, article with each, dative case) probably all vocally expressed their position.
With the whole church (sun olei th ekklhsiai). Probably by acclamation. It was a great victory. But James was a practical leader and he did not stop with speeches and a vote.
To choose men out of their company (eklezamenouv andrav ec autwn). Accusative case, though dative just before (toiv apostoloiv, etc.), of first aorist middle participle of eklegw, to select. This loose case agreement appears also in grayantev in verse Acts 15:23 and in MSS. in verse Acts 15:25. It is a common thing in all Greek writers (Paul, for instance), especially in the papyri and in the Apocalypse of John.
Judas called Barsabbas (Ioudan ton kaloumenon Barsabban). Not otherwise known unless he is a brother of Joseph Barsabbas of Acts 1:23, an early follower of Jesus. The other, Silas, is probably a shortened form of Silvanus (Silouanov, 1 Peter 5:12), the companion of Paul in his second mission tour (Acts 15:32, Acts 15:41; Acts 16:25).
Chief men (hgoumenouv). Leaders, leading men (participle from hgeomai, to lead).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Acts 15:6
Acts 15:23
Acts 15:25
Acts 15:40
Acts 16:4
Acts 20:17
Acts 22:17
Acts 25:27
1 Corinthians 12:28
Ephesians 1:18
James 5:14
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