Chapter

Acts 15:40

ESV but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
NIV but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.
NASB But Paul chose Silas, and left after being entrusted by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
CSB But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord.
NLT Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care.
KJV And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
NKJV but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.

What does Acts 15:40 mean?

The partnership of Paul and Barnabas has come to an end. Paul no longer needs the "son of encouragement" (Acts 4:36) to mentor him in teaching and evangelism. Barnabas' talents are of more use for his cousin John Mark who must grow in faith and courage before he can travel with Paul again (Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:11). Both sides of the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas have merit, and the best possible solution is for them to pursue God's will separately.

For this missionary voyage, Paul needs a fellow Roman citizen who can handle the dangers of the road and physical assault (Acts 16:19–40), and still step into a leadership position when needed (Acts 17:14; 18:5). Silas, sometimes called Silvanus, will go on to co-author Paul's letters to the church in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1) and, some say, help Peter with his Greek (1 Peter 5:12).

As the elders of the church in Syrian Antioch once dedicated Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:2–3), they now send Paul and Silas off. The pair will travel through the province of Syria and then overland into Galatia where they will meet Timothy (Acts 15:41—16:5). The group will head farther west, across the sea into Macedonia and down into Greece (Acts 16:6—18:23). As disappointed as Paul and Barnabas may have felt in the short term, God has bigger plans for both.
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