that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "you will do well" isn't just a casual farewell; it's a direct promise from God that adhering to these guidelines will lead to spiritual health and well-being. This isn't about appeasing others, but about aligning with the Holy Spirit's guidance for genuine flourishing.
that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This letter is a response to a crisis where some Jewish Christians insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law to be truly saved. After much debate, the church leaders decided to send a letter with specific instructions to the Gentile believers to maintain unity. This verse lists the Gentile believers' required abstentions—from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from strangled animals, and from sexual immorality—as a way to accommodate Jewish sensitivities and uphold moral purity.
Why did the early church leaders issue specific commands about food and behavior?
The Jerusalem Council, as detailed in Acts 15, faced a crucial question: What were the requirements for Gentiles to join the Christian community?
A Delicate Balance
Paul and Barnabas had encountered intense debate from Jewish believers who insisted Gentiles must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law. This created significant division.
The Council's Decision
After prayer and discussion, the apostles, elders, and the whole church recognized that the Holy Spirit was guiding them. They decided to send a letter to the Gentile churches, outlining four key abstinences:
The Goal: Harmony
These were called 'necessary things' not because they were the only path to salvation, but because they were essential for maintaining unity between Jewish and Gentile believers. It was a wise, Spirit-led compromise to prevent division and allow the Gospel to spread without unnecessary barriers.
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What does it truly mean to 'do well' in God's eyes?
The verse doesn't just list prohibitions; it connects obedience to a positive outcome. 'If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.' This phrase, 'do well' (or 'fare well'), speaks to more than just avoiding punishment.
More Than Just 'Not Sinning'
It suggests a life of flourishing, of walking in step with God's purposes. It implies living a life that is pleasing to Him, that honors the community, and that reflects the new life found in Christ.
The Foundation is Love
While these commands addressed specific cultural and ethical issues, the underlying principle, as emphasized by Paul elsewhere, is love. The abstention from idols and fornication were particularly sensitive due to the pervasive nature of these practices in Gentile culture. By abstaining, believers would avoid compromising their faith and causing offense.
A Spiritual Foundation
'Doing well' means aligning our lives with God’s will, not just checking boxes. It means actively pursuing holiness, which is the very purpose of God for us in Christ.
Understand the original words
apechesthai · Greek Verb
To refrain from, hold back from, or avoid participation in something. It is often used in a moral or cultic sense to maintain purity and set oneself apart from defilement.
eidōlothutos · Greek Adjective/Noun
Refers to objects or images that are worshipped in place of the one true God. In the NT, it carries the significance of demonic influence and spiritual rebellion against the Creator.
haima · Greek Noun
In biblical law, blood represents the life force of a creature. It is considered sacred to God and its consumption is restricted, symbolizing the sanctity of life and the divine claim upon it.
porneia · Greek Noun
A broad term for all forms of sexual activity outside of the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. It signifies moral impurity and a violation of God’s design for human relationship and holiness.
This decree, arising from a critical moment of tension between Jewish and Gentile believers, aimed to preserve unity by asking Gentiles to abstain from four specific things. While presented as necessary, later interpretations, particularly by Paul, emphasized that the underlying principle was love and consideration for others, not a rigid adherence to ceremonial law.
c. 49 AD— this verse
Jerusalem Council Convenes
A pivotal meeting where apostles and elders debated whether Gentile converts needed to follow Mosaic law, especially circumcision. This established a precedent for resolving theological disputes through communal decision-making guided by the Holy Spirit.
c. 49 AD
Council Decree Issued
The council decided Gentile believers did not need to be circumcised but should abstain from practices offensive to Jewish believers: food sacrificed to idols, blood, strangled animals, and sexual immorality. This was to foster unity and peace between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
c. 49 AD
Letter Delivered to Antioch
Judas and Silas accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Antioch to deliver the council's letter and verbally affirm the decree, ensuring its clear understanding and acceptance by the Gentile believers there.
c. 50-60s AD
Paul Addresses Idolatry and Food Laws
Paul wrote extensively in his letters (e.g., 1 Corinthians 8-10) about the ethical implications of eating food offered to idols, emphasizing love and consideration for weaker consciences over strict adherence to the decree's letter.
c. 62 AD
Apostolic Canons Reiterate Abstinence
Later church tradition, reflected in the 'Apostolic Canons,' continued to enforce the prohibition against eating blood, showing how the council's directives were preserved and interpreted in subsequent generations.
This passage, given to Noah after the flood, sets an ancient precedent for abstaining from blood, highlighting its sacredness as the seat of life. It provides a foundational understanding for why blood was a significant prohibition for both Jews and Gentiles in Acts 15.
Leviticus 17:10-14This Levitical law further explains the prohibition against blood, stating that the life of the flesh is in the blood and that it was given for atonement. This deeply rooted Jewish understanding informs the council's decision in Acts 15, connecting it to the sanctity of life and sacrificial atonement.
1 Corinthians 8:1Paul directly addresses the issue of eating food sacrificed to idols, acknowledging that 'knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.' This passage illuminates the nuanced reasoning behind the prohibition in Acts, emphasizing that while idols are nothing, the act could harm a weaker brother's conscience or imply participation in idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:25-28Here, Paul explicitly permits eating meat sold in the marketplace, even if it had been offered to an idol, unless someone points out its origin. This shows the practical application and eventual broadening of the prohibition from Acts 15, demonstrating that love and consideration for others were paramount, and that the idol itself had no power.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5This passage clearly states that God's will is the believers' sanctification, and this includes abstaining from sexual immorality. It directly parallels the prohibition of immorality in Acts 15, reinforcing that sexual purity was a non-negotiable aspect of Christian life and a key differentiator from pagan practices.
ellicottActs 15:29: "That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well."
(29) From meats offered to idols. —The specific term takes the place of the more general word which St. James had used. The change, if the two words were not used, as is possible, as altogether equivalent, may be thought of as favouring the Gentiles by narrowing the prohibition to a single point. Fare ye wel…
pooleActs 15:29: "That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well."
Of these see more largely, Acts 15:20 . From meats offered to idols; they were wont to carry home and feast upon part of the sacrifices they had offered unto their false gods; nay, they did not, without reproach, eat of any greater beasts, (as oxen and sheep), but they always first offered some of them unto…
The phrase "you will do well" isn't just a casual farewell; it's a direct promise from God that adhering to these guidelines will lead to spiritual health and well-being. This isn't about appeasing others, but about aligning with the Holy Spirit's guidance for genuine flourishing.
This letter is a response to a crisis where some Jewish Christians insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law to be truly saved. After much debate, the church leaders decided to send a letter with specific instructions to the Gentile believers to maintain unity. This verse lists the Gentile believers' required abstentions—from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from strangled animals, and from sexual immorality—as a way to accommodate Jewish sensitivities and uphold moral purity.
This letter is a response to a crisis where some Jewish Christians insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law to be truly saved. After much debate, the church leaders decided to send a letter with specific instructions to the Gentile believers to maintain unity. This verse lists the Gentile believers' required abstentions—from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from strangled animals, and from sexual immorality—as a way to accommodate Jewish sensitivities and uphold moral purity.
"that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”" — The phrase "you will do well" isn't just a casual farewell; it's a direct promise from God that adhering to these guidelines will lead to spiritual health and well-being. This isn't about appeasing o…
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Last reviewed October 2026