SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:30
lo cual asimismo hicieron, envindolo a los ancianos por mano de Bernab y de Saulo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 11:30
Verse 30. And sent it to the elders] These probably mean those who first believed on Christ crucified, either of the seventy disciples mentioned Luke, Luke x. 1, or the one hundred and twenty mentioned, chap. i. 15, or the seven deacons, chap. vi. 5. Some have divided the primitive disciples into three classes: 1. The autoptai, those who were eye witnesses. 2. The aparcai, those who were the first fruits, or converts of the apostles' preaching. The diadocoi, those who were the successors of the preceding from whom they had received the doctrines of the Gospel. It is likely the deacons are meant, whose office it was to take care of the poor. See chap. vi. 1, &c. 1. AMONG many highly interesting subjects which have come under review in the preceding chapter, we must have particularly noticed, 1. The care the Church of Christ took to have young converts confirmed in the truths they had received, and built up on their most holy faith, ver. 22. It was indispensably necessary that a foundation should be laid; and it was not less so that a proper superstructure should be raised. For this work, it was requisite that different gifts and talents should be employed, and Barnabas and Saul must be sent to confirm in the faith those whom the disciples, who had been scattered by the persecution raised about Stephen, had converted to Christ, ver. 19-22. It is a great thing to have souls converted to the Lord; it is greater to have them built up on their most holy faith; and few persons, even among the ministers of Christ, have talents for both. Even when PAUL planted, it required APOLLOS to water.
A frequent interchange of godly ministers in the Church of Christ is of the utmost consequence to its stability and increase.
2. It appears that CHRISTIANS was the first general appellative of the followers of our blessed Lord; and there is presumptive evidence, as we have seen, that this appellative came by Divine appointment. How very few of those who profess this religion are satisfied with this title! That very Church that arrogates all to itself has totally abandoned this title, and its members call themselves Roman Catholics, which is absurd; because the adjective and substantive include opposite ideas: catholic signifies universal; and Roman signifies of or belonging to Rome. If it be merely Roman, it cannot be catholic; if it be catholic, it cannot be confined to Rome; but it is not catholic nor universal, in any sense of the word, for it contains but a small part of the people who profess Christianity. The term Protestant has more common sense in it; but not much more piety. Almost all sects and parties proceed in the same line; but Christian is a title seldom heard of, and the spirit and practice of Christianity but rarely occur. When all return to the spirit of the Gospel, they will probably resume the appellative of Christians.
3. An early fruit of Christianity was mercy to the poor; and especially to the poor followers of Christ. He has left the poor ever with us, as his representatives, to exercise our bowels of commiseration, and thus teach us to feel and practice mercy. To every man professing Christianity, the religion of Jesus Christ says most authoritatively, With every man who is pinched by poverty, share what the providence of God has not made absolutely necessary for thy own support. What God has given us more than we need is entrusted to us for the benefit of those that are in poverty and affliction. He who can, and does not, help the poor, is a disgrace to Christianity; and he who does not lend his hand for the support of the cause of God is a worthless member of the Church of Christ. He who shows no mercy shall have judgment without mercy. And he who spends in pampering the flesh what should be given to the poor shall have a fearful account to give in the day of the Lord.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 30. Which they also did , etc.] They not only determined, but they put their resolutions into execution, and acted according to a rule which the apostle recommends, ( 2 Corinthians 8:11 9:7) and sent it to the elders ; to the apostles; for though there were deacons there, yet they chose to send it to them, that they might put it into proper hands to distribute to the necessitous: and this collection they sent by the hands of Saul and Barnabas ; of this journey to Jerusalem, Paul makes no mention in ( Galatians 1:17-19,21, 2:1).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 25-30 - Hitherto the followers of Christ were called disciples, that is learners, scholars; but from that time they were called Christians. The proper meaning of this name is, a follower of Christ; it denotes on who, from serious thought, embraces the religion of Christ, believe his promises, and makes it his chief care to shape his life by Christ' precepts and example. Hence it is plain that multitudes take the nam of Christian to whom it does not rightly belong. But the name withou the reality will only add to our guilt. While the bare profession wil bestow neither profit nor delight, the possession of it will give bot the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come Grant, Lord, that Christians may forget other names and distinctions and love one another as the followers of Christ ought to do. Tru Christians will feel for their brethren under afflictions. Thus wil fruit be brought forth to the praise and glory of God. If all mankin were true Christians, how cheerfully would they help one another! The whole earth would be like one large family, every member of which woul strive to be dutiful and kind __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
ο 3739 R-ASN και 2532 CONJ εποιησαν 4160 5656 V-AAI-3P αποστειλαντες 649 5660 V-AAP-NPM προς 4314 PREP τους 3588 T-APM πρεσβυτερους 4245 A-APM δια 1223 PREP χειρος 5495 N-GSF βαρναβα 921 N-GSM και 2532 CONJ σαυλου 4569 N-GSM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:30 {Sending} (aposteilantes). First aorist active participle of apostellw, coincident action with epoiesan (did). {To the elders} (pros tous presbuterous). The first use of that term for the Christian preachers. In #20:17,28 "elders" and "bishops" are used interchangeably as in #Tit 1:5,7. The term probably arose gradually and holds a position in the church similar to the same term in the synagogue. The apostles were apparently absent from Jerusalem at this time and they were no longer concerned with serving tables. In #21:18 Paul presented the later collection also to the elders. Since Peter and James (till his death) were in Jerusalem during the persecution in chapter 12 it is probable that the visit of Barnabas and Saul to Jerusalem came really after that persecution for Peter left Jerusalem (#12:17). The elders here mentioned may include the preachers in Judea also outside of Jerusalem (#26:20).
