Acts 15:25

15:25 we have unanimously ¹  decided ²  to choose men to send to you along with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,

Acts 15:28

15:28 For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us ³  not to place any greater burden on you than these necessary rules: ⁴ 

Acts 15:22

15:22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided ⁵  to send men chosen from among them, Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, ⁶  leaders among the brothers, to Antioch ⁷  with Paul and Barnabas.

[15:25]  ¹ tn Grk “having become of one mind, we have decided.” This has been translated “we have unanimously decided” to reduce the awkwardness in English.

[15:25]  ² tn BDAG 255 s.v. δοκέω 2.b.β lists this verse under the meaning “it seems best to me, I decide, I resolve.”

[15:28]  ³ tn This is the same expression translated “decided” in Acts 15:22, 25. BDAG 255 s.v. δοκέω 2.b.β lists “decide” as a possible gloss for this verse, and this translation would be consistent with the translation of the same expression in Acts 15:22, 25. However, the unusually awkward “the Holy Spirit and we have decided” would result. Given this approach, it would be more natural in English to say “We and the Holy Spirit have decided,” but changing the order removes the emphasis the Greek text gives to the Holy Spirit. Thus, although the similarity to the phrases in 15:22, 25 is obscured, it is better to use the alternate translation “it seems best to me” (also given by BDAG): “it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us.” Again the scope of agreement is highlighted.

[15:28]  ⁴ tn L&N 71.39 translates “indispensable (rules)” while BDAG 358 s.v. ἐπάναγκες has “the necessary things.”

[15:22]  ⁵ tn BDAG 255 s.v. δοκέω 2.b.β lists this verse under the meaning “it seems best to me, I decide, I resolve.”

[15:22]  ⁶ sn Silas. See 2 Cor 1:19; 1 Thess 1:1; 2 Thess 1:1 (= Silvanus).

[15:22]  ⁷ sn Antioch was a city in Syria (not Antioch in Pisidia).