Elihu Extols God's Greatness

361 Elihu also continued, and said, 2 “Bear with me a little, and I will show you;
for I still have something to say on God’s behalf. 3 I will get my knowledge from afar,
and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 4 For truly my words are not false.
One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

5 “Behold, God is mighty, and doesn’t despise anyone.
He is mighty in strength of understanding. 6 He doesn’t preserve the life of the wicked,
but gives to the afflicted their right. 7 He doesn’t withdraw his eyes from the righteous,
but with kings on the throne,
he sets them forever, and they are exalted. 8 If they are bound in fetters,
and are taken in the cords of afflictions, 9 then he shows them their work,
and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly. 10 He also opens their ears to instruction,
and commands that they return from iniquity. 11 If they listen and serve him,
they shall spend their days in prosperity,
and their years in pleasures. 12 But if they don’t listen, they shall perish by the sword;
they shall die without knowledge. 13 “But those who are godless in heart lay up anger.
They don’t cry for help when he binds them. 14 They die in youth.
Their life perishes among the unclean.

15 He delivers the afflicted by their affliction,
and opens their ear in oppression. 16 Yes, he would have allured you out of distress,
into a broad place, where there is no restriction.
That which is set on your table would be full of fatness. 17 “But you are full of the judgment of the wicked.
Judgment and justice take hold of you. 18 Don’t let riches entice you to wrath,
neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside. 19 Would your wealth sustain you in distress,
or all the might of your strength? 20 Don’t desire the night,
when people are cut off in their place. 21 Take heed, don’t regard iniquity;
for you have chosen this rather than affliction. 22 Behold, God is exalted in his power.
Who is a teacher like him? 23 Who has prescribed his way for him?
Or who can say, ‘You have committed unrighteousness?’

24 “Remember that you magnify his work,
whereof men have sung. 25 All men have looked thereon.
Man sees it afar off. 26 Behold, God is great, and we don’t know him.
The number of his years is unsearchable. 27 For he draws up the drops of water,
which distill in rain from his vapor, 28 Which the skies pour down
and which drop on man abundantly. 29 Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds,
and the thunderings of his pavilion? 30 Behold, he spreads his light around him.
He covers the bottom of the sea. 31 For by these he judges the people.
He gives food in abundance. 32 He covers his hands with the lightning,
and commands it to strike the mark. 33 Its noise tells about him,
and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up.

371 “Yes, at this my heart trembles,
and is moved out of its place. 2 Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice,
the sound that goes out of his mouth. 3 He sends it forth under the whole sky,
and his lightning to the ends of the earth. 4 After it a voice roars.
He thunders with the voice of his majesty.
He doesn’t hold back anything when his voice is heard. 5 God thunders marvelously with his voice.
He does great things, which we can’t comprehend.

6 For he says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth;’
likewise to the shower of rain,
and to the showers of his mighty rain. 7 He seals up the hand of every man,
that all men whom he has made may know it. 8 Then the animals take cover,
and remain in their dens. 9 Out of its chamber comes the storm,
and cold out of the north. 10 By the breath of God, ice is given,
and the breadth of the waters is frozen. 11 Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture.
He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning. 12 It is turned around by his guidance,
that they may do whatever he commands them
on the surface of the habitable world, 13 Whether it is for correction, or for his land,
or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.

14 “Listen to this, Job.
Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. 15 Do you know how God controls them,
and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? 16 Do you know the workings of the clouds,
the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? 17 You whose clothing is warm,
when the earth is still by reason of the south wind? 18 Can you, with him, spread out the sky,
which is strong as a cast metal mirror? 19 Teach us what we shall tell him,
for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness. 20 Shall it be told him that I would speak?
Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

21 Now men don’t see the light which is bright in the skies,
but the wind passes, and clears them. 22 Out of the north comes golden splendor.
With God is awesome majesty. 23 We can’t reach the Almighty.
He is exalted in power.
In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress. 24 Therefore men revere him.
He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart.”

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers. [1] 23 They wrote these things by their hand:

“The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings. 24 Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment; 25 it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.” 30 So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. 32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them. 33 After they had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles. 34 [2] 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Paul Separates from Barnabas and Begins the Second Missionary Journey

36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also. 38 But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work. 39 Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 15:22-41

Commentary on Acts 15:22-35

(Read Acts 15:22-35)

Being warranted to declare themselves directed by the immediate influence of the Holy Ghost, the apostles and disciples were assured that it seemed good unto God the Holy Spirit, as well as to them, to lay upon the converts no other burden than the things before mentioned, which were necessary, either on their own account, or from present circumstances. It was a comfort to hear that carnal ordinances were no longer imposed on them, which perplexed the conscience, but could not purify or pacify it; and that those who troubled their minds were silenced, so that the peace of the church was restored, and that which threatened division was removed. All this was consolation for which they blessed God. Many others were at Antioch. Where many labour in the word and doctrine, yet there may be opportunity for us: the zeal and usefulness of others should stir us up, not lay us asleep.

Commentary on Acts 15:36-41

(Read Acts 15:36-41)

Here we have a private quarrel between two ministers, no less than Paul and Barnabas, yet made to end well. Barnabas wished his nephew John Mark to go with them. We should suspect ourselves of being partial, and guard against this in putting our relations forward. Paul did not think him worthy of the honour, nor fit for the service, who had departed from them without their knowledge, or without their consent: see 13. Neither would yield, therefore there was no remedy but they must part. We see that the best of men are but men, subject to like passions as we are. Perhaps there were faults on both sides, as usual in such contentions. Christ's example alone, is a copy without a blot. Yet we are not to think it strange, if there are differences among wise and good men. It will be so while we are in this imperfect state; we shall never be all of one mind till we come to heaven. But what mischief the remainders of pride and passion which are found even in good men, do in the world, and do in the church! Many who dwelt at Antioch, who had heard but little of the devotedness and piety of Paul and Barnabas, heard of their dispute and separation; and thus it will be with ourselves, if we give way to contention. Believers must be constant in prayer, that they may never be led by the allowance of unholy tempers, to hurt the cause they really desire to serve. Paul speaks with esteem and affection both of Barnabas and Mark, in his epistles, written after this event. May all who profess thy name, O loving Saviour, be thoroughly reconciled by that love derived from thee which is not easily provoked, and which soon forgets and buries injuries.