Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text highlights that these troublers claimed to speak for the apostles, but the apostles clearly state, "we gave them no instructions." This reveals a crucial detail: the disruption wasn't a misunderstanding of apostolic teaching, but a deliberate misrepresentation by unauthorized individuals twisting words and causing chaos.
Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,
English Standard Version (ESV)
A group of people who claimed to be from the Jerusalem church has been causing trouble for Gentile believers by insisting they must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law for salvation. The apostles and elders in Jerusalem, while affirming their own authority, are clarifying that these troublemakers were never authorized by them to teach such things. This statement serves to distance the Jerusalem church from the unauthorized and divisive teachings that were unsettling the faith of new believers.
Ever feel like some 'religious advice' just leaves you more confused than before? This verse sheds light on why that happens.
The leaders in Jerusalem are addressing a serious issue: some individuals have been spreading false teachings in Antioch. They use strong language, saying these people 'troubled you with words, unsettling your minds.'
The Source of the Trouble
Notice the key phrase: 'certain which went out from us.' This implies they originated from the Jerusalem community, where the apostles were. However, the letter is clear: 'although we gave them no instructions.'
This highlights a crucial distinction between authentic apostolic teaching and disruptive, self-appointed messages. The trouble wasn't caused by God's Spirit leading people astray, but by people acting without authority and spreading harmful ideas. Their words were designed to unsettle and confuse, not to build up in truth.
What does it really mean for your mind to be 'unsettled' by religious teaching? It's more than just a disagreement.
The Greek word used here, 'anaskeuazontes,' is incredibly vivid. Imagine packing up all your belongings, turning your whole house upside down, and carrying everything away. That's the picture painted!
More Than Just Confusion
These false teachers weren't just offering a different opinion; they were causing utter chaos in the minds and spiritual lives of the believers. They were:
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This wasn't a minor theological debate; it was a spiritual upheaval threatening the very foundation of their faith.
Understand the original words
anaskeuazō · Greek Verb
To be deeply disturbed, agitated, or shaken in one's conviction. It implies a state of mental confusion or distress caused by false teaching.
c. AD 30s-40s
Early Spread of Christianity
Following Jesus' resurrection, the Gospel begins to spread rapidly through Jewish communities and then to Gentiles.
c. AD 40s
Paul's Ministry to Gentiles
The Apostle Paul undertakes extensive missionary journeys, establishing churches among non-Jewish people, often without requiring adherence to Jewish law.
c. AD 49
Council of Jerusalem Convenes
A major dispute arises over whether Gentile converts must be circumcised and obey the Mosaic Law, leading to a crucial church council in Jerusalem.
c. AD 49— this verse
Jerusalem Council Decree Issued
The council, led by James, declares that Gentile believers are not required to be circumcised or follow the Law of Moses, sending Judas and Silas with Paul and Barnabas to communicate this decision.
c. AD 50-55
Paul Addresses Judaizing Disturbers
Paul and his companions encounter persistent opposition from individuals insisting on Jewish law observance for Gentile Christians, prompting Paul to write letters like Galatians to correct this error.
This passage powerfully echoes the sentiment here, with John writing about false teachers who 'went out from us' but were ultimately 'not of us,' highlighting the idea of people departing from the truth and misleading others.
Galatians 2:4Paul directly addresses a similar situation where 'false brothers' infiltrated the church, attempting to enslave believers to the Law, mirroring the 'troubling' and 'subverting' mentioned in Acts 15:24.
2 Corinthians 2:17Paul contrasts himself and his companions with those who 'corrupt the word of God,' aligning with the idea in Acts 15:24 that some were misleading believers with false teachings, not sent with genuine authority.
Jeremiah 23:21This Old Testament passage speaks of prophets who 'did not run when they were sent' but still spoke, showing a historical pattern of unauthorized teachers causing trouble, much like the individuals in Acts 15.
Titus 1:10-11Paul describes 'many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers,' particularly those from the circumcision party, who 'subvert whole families' by teaching for dishonest gain, which strongly parallels the disruptive influence described in Acts.
ellicottActs 15:24: "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:"
(24) Certain which went out from us. —The reference is obviously to the teachers (their names are wisely and charitably suppressed) who had appeared at Antioch, as in Acts 15:1 . St. John, who was present at the Council ( Galatians 2:9 ), and who, though he took no part in the deb…
pooleActs 15:24: "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:"
Certain which went out from us; for these false apostles were such as came from Judea, Acts 15:1 , that is, from the church there. It is Satan’s great policy to divide, that he may rule; he will have at least one share where there is more than one. No such sad divisions as church…
The text highlights that these troublers claimed to speak for the apostles, but the apostles clearly state, "we gave them no instructions." This reveals a crucial detail: the disruption wasn't a misunderstanding of apostolic teaching, but a deliberate misrepresentation by unauthorized individuals twisting words and causing chaos.
A group of people who claimed to be from the Jerusalem church has been causing trouble for Gentile believers by insisting they must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law for salvation. The apostles and elders in Jerusalem, while affirming their own authority, are clarifying that these troublemakers were never authorized by them to teach such things. This statement serves to distance the Jerusalem church from the unauthorized and divisive teachings that were unsettling the faith of new believers.
A group of people who claimed to be from the Jerusalem church has been causing trouble for Gentile believers by insisting they must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law for salvation. The apostles and elders in Jerusalem, while affirming their own authority, are clarifying that these troublemakers were never authorized by them to teach such things. This statement serves to distance the Jerusalem church from the unauthorized and divisive teachings that were unsettling the faith of new believers.
"Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions," — The text highlights that these troublers claimed to speak for the apostles, but the apostles clearly state, "we gave them no instructions." This reveals a crucial detail: the disruption wasn't a misu…
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Last reviewed October 2026