Acts 15:32
New International Version
Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.

New Living Translation
Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith.

English Standard Version
And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.

Berean Standard Bible
Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

Berean Literal Bible
Both Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, exhorted and strengthened the brothers by much talk.

King James Bible
And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

New King James Version
Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.

New American Standard Bible
Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers and sisters with a lengthy message.

NASB 1995
Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message.

NASB 1977
And Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message.

Legacy Standard Bible
And both Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with a lengthy message.

Amplified Bible
Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets (divinely inspired spokesmen), encouraged and strengthened the believers with many words.

Christian Standard Bible
Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters and strengthened them with a long message.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and strengthened them with a long message.

American Standard Version
And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

Contemporary English Version
Judas and Silas were prophets, and they spoke a long time, encouraging and helping the Lord's followers.

English Revised Version
And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, spoke a long time to encourage and strengthen the believers.

Good News Translation
Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, spoke a long time with them, giving them courage and strength.

International Standard Version
Then Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, said a lot to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

Majority Standard Bible
Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

NET Bible
Both Judas and Silas, who were prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with a long speech.

New Heart English Bible
Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

Weymouth New Testament
And Judas and Silas, being themselves also Prophets, gave them a long and encouraging talk, and strengthened them in the faith.

World English Bible
Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Judas also and Silas, also being prophets themselves, through much discourse exhorted the brothers, and confirmed,

Berean Literal Bible
Both Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, exhorted and strengthened the brothers by much talk.

Young's Literal Translation
Judas also and Silas, being themselves also prophets, through much discourse did exhort the brethren, and confirm,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Judas and Silas, they also being prophets, through much speech consoled the brethren, and supported.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, with many words comforted the brethren, and confirmed them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But Judas and Silas, being also prophets themselves, consoled the brothers with many words, and they were strengthened.

New American Bible
Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted and strengthened the brothers with many words.

New Revised Standard Version
Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Judas and Silas, being prophets themselves also, confirmed the brethren with gracious words.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And with a bountiful message they strengthened the brethren and established them who were followers of Yehuda and Shila because they also were Prophets.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and strengthened them.

Godbey New Testament
Both Judas and Silas, themselves also being prophets, exhorted the brethren with elaborate speech, and strengthened them;

Haweis New Testament
Then Judas and Silas, being also themselves prophets, exhorted the brethren, in many a discourse, and established them.

Mace New Testament
they being also prophets, they consolated and confirm'd the brethren by several discourses.

Weymouth New Testament
And Judas and Silas, being themselves also Prophets, gave them a long and encouraging talk, and strengthened them in the faith.

Worrell New Testament
And Judas and Silas, themselves also being prophets, exhorted the brethren in many words, and confirmed them.

Worsley New Testament
And Judas and Silas being prophets also themselves, exhorted and established: the brethren by many discourses.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Believers at Antioch Rejoice
31When the people read it, they rejoiced at its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. 33After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers in peace to return to those who had sent them.…

Cross References
Acts 11:27-28
In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. / One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.)

Acts 13:1
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.

Acts 21:9-10
He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. / After we had been there several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

1 Corinthians 14:3
But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.

Ephesians 4:11
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

1 Thessalonians 5:20
Do not treat prophecies with contempt,

1 Timothy 4:14
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Revelation 19:10
So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

1 Samuel 10:5-6
After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying. / Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person.

1 Samuel 19:20
he sent messengers to seize him. But when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel leading them, the Spirit of God came upon them, and Saul’s messengers also began to prophesy.

2 Samuel 23:2
The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.

1 Kings 18:4
for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)

1 Kings 22:7-8
But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not still a prophet of the LORD here of whom we can inquire?” / The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say that!” Jehoshaphat replied.


Treasury of Scripture

And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brothers with many words, and confirmed them.

being.

Acts 2:17,18
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: …

Acts 11:23,27
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord…

Acts 13:1
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

exhorted.

Acts 2:40
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Acts 11:23
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Acts 14:22
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

confirmed.

Acts 15:41
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Isaiah 35:3,4
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees…

Daniel 11:1
Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.

Jump to Previous
Confirm Confirmed Encourage Encouraged Encouraging Exhort Exhorted Faith Judas Lengthy Message Prophets Silas Strengthen Strengthened Strong Talk Teaching Themselves Words
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Confirm Confirmed Encourage Encouraged Encouraging Exhort Exhorted Faith Judas Lengthy Message Prophets Silas Strengthen Strengthened Strong Talk Teaching Themselves Words
Acts 15
1. Great dissensions arise regarding circumcision.
5. The apostles consult about it,
22. and send their determination by letters to the churches.
36. Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brothers together,
39. disagree, and travel different ways.














Judas and Silas
These two men were prominent figures in the early Christian church. Judas, also known as Barsabbas, and Silas were chosen to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch to deliver the decision of the Jerusalem Council. Their selection highlights their trustworthiness and leadership within the early church. Historically, Silas is also known as a companion of Paul on his missionary journeys, indicating his significant role in spreading the Gospel. The mention of their names here underscores the importance of having respected and reliable leaders to communicate and implement church decisions.

who themselves were prophets
The term "prophets" in the early church context refers to those who were divinely inspired to speak God's message. In the Greek, "prophet" (προφήτης, prophētēs) implies one who speaks forth by divine inspiration. This role was crucial in the early church for guidance, edification, and sometimes foretelling future events. The presence of prophets like Judas and Silas in the early church demonstrates the continuity of God's communication with His people, akin to the prophets of the Old Testament, and emphasizes the spiritual gifts bestowed upon the early believers.

said much to encourage
The phrase "said much" indicates that Judas and Silas took considerable time and effort to speak to the believers. The Greek word for "encourage" (παρακαλέω, parakaleō) means to call to one's side, to comfort, or to exhort. This suggests that their message was not only instructional but also deeply comforting and motivating. Encouragement was vital for the early Christians who often faced persecution and challenges. The role of encouragement in the church is a recurring theme in the New Testament, highlighting the importance of building one another up in faith and perseverance.

and strengthen the brothers
The word "strengthen" (ἐπιστηρίζω, epistērizō) in Greek means to support or make firm. This implies that Judas and Silas provided the believers with the necessary support to remain steadfast in their faith. The "brothers" refers to the fellow believers, emphasizing the familial bond within the Christian community. Strengthening the church was crucial during this time of doctrinal clarification and external pressures. This phrase underscores the role of church leaders in providing spiritual fortitude and doctrinal clarity to ensure the community's resilience and unity in faith.

(32) Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves.--See Note on Acts 15:22.

Exhorted.--The verb is that from which the Greek for "consolation" was formed, and includes that meaning here. This was the chief end to which the gift of prophecy was directed. The two teachers thus showed that they had not come only as formal representatives of the Church in Jerusalem, but took a personal interest in the work. Their work was the very reverse of those who had previously come from Judaea "subverting the souls of the disciples" (Acts 15:24).

Verse 32. - Being themselves also prophets for being prophets also themselves, A.V. Being themselves also prophets, exhorted, etc. Observe the connection of exhortation with prophecy, and compare the explanation of the name of Barnabas in Acts 4:36, note. Confirmed them; ἐπεστήριξαν, as ver. 41 and Acts 14:22; Acts 18:23. Nothing is so unsettling as controversy; but the preaching of these "chief men" brought back men's minds to the solid faith and hope of the gospel. How rich the Church of Antioch was at this time, with Paul and Barnabas, Judas and Silas, and probably Titus, and some, if not all, of those mentioned in Acts 13:1, for their teachers.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Judas
Ἰούδας (Ioudas)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2455: Of Hebrew origin; Judas, the name of ten Israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Silas,
Σιλᾶς (Silas)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4609: Silas, a pet-form of the name Silvanus; a Roman citizen and a helper of Paul. Contraction for Silouanos; Silas, a Christian.

[who]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

themselves
αὐτοὶ (autoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

were
ὄντες (ontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

prophets,
προφῆται (prophētai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4396: From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.

said much
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

to encourage
παρεκάλεσαν (parekalesan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3870: From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

strengthen
ἐπεστήριξαν (epestērixan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1991: To prop up, uphold, support, confirm, make stronger. From epi and sterizo; to support further, i.e. Reestablish.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

brothers.
ἀδελφοὺς (adelphous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.


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Acts 15:31
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