SEV Biblia, Chapter 16:4
Y cuando pasaban por las ciudades, les daban que guardasen los decretos que habían sido determinados por los apstoles y los ancianos que estaban en Jerusaln.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 16:4
Verse 4. They delivered them the decrees for to keep] ta dogmata, ta kekrimena upo twn apostolwn. Bishop Pearce contends that ta dogmata, the decrees, is a gloss which was not in the text originally; and that the ta kekrimena, the judgments or determinations of the apostles, was all that was originally written here. He supports his opinion by a reference to the word krinw, I judge, used by James, chap. xv. 19, whence the whole decision, as it referred-1. to the inexpediency of circumcising the Gentiles; and, 2. to the necessity of observing the four precepts laid down, was called ta kekrimena, the things that were judged, or decided on; the judgments of the apostolic council. Instead of gegrammena, the Syrian has a word that answers to gegrammena, the decrees that were written. The word dogma, from dokew, to think proper, determine, decree, signifies an ordinance or decree, properly and deliberately made, relative to any important point, and which, in reference to that point, has the force of law. Our term dogma, which we often abuse, is the Greek word in English letters.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. And as they went through the cities , etc.] Of Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium, and others in Lycaonia, and in Phrygia and Galatia; the Arabic version reads, they both; that is, Paul and Barnabas: they delivered them the decrees for to keep ; they gave the churches, in these cities, the sentiments, and determinations to be observed and followed by them: that were ordained of the apostles which were at Jerusalem ; concerning the abstinence of the Gentiles from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication, ( Acts 15:20,29).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Well may the church look for much service from youthful ministers wh set out in the same spirit as Timothy. But when men will submit i nothing, and oblige in nothing, the first elements of the Christia temper seem to be wanting; and there is great reason to believe tha the doctrines and precepts of the gospel will not be successfull taught. The design of the decree being to set aside the ceremonial law and its carnal ordinances, believers were confirmed in the Christia faith, because it set up a spiritual way of serving God, as suited to the nature both of God and man. Thus the church increased in number daily.
Greek Textus Receptus
ως 5613 ADV δε 1161 CONJ διεπορευοντο 1279 5711 V-INI-3P τας 3588 T-APF πολεις 4172 N-APF παρεδιδουν 3860 5707 V-IAI-3P αυτοις 846 P-DPM φυλασσειν 5442 5721 V-PAN τα 3588 T-APN δογματα 1378 N-APN τα 3588 T-APN κεκριμενα 2919 5772 V-RPP-APN υπο 5259 PREP των 3588 T-GPM αποστολων 652 N-GPM και 2532 CONJ των 3588 T-GPM πρεσβυτερων 4245 A-GPM των 3588 T-GPM εν 1722 PREP ιερουσαλημ 2419 N-PRI
Robertson's NT Word Studies
16:4 {They delivered them} (paredidosan autois). Imperfect active, kept on delivering to them in city after city. this is a proof of Paul's loyalty to the Jerusalem compact (Knowling). The circumcision of Timothy would indicate also that the points involved were under discussion and that Paul felt no inconsistency in what he did. {The decrees} (ta dogmata). Old word from dokew, to give an opinion. It is used of public decrees of rulers (#Lu 2:1; Ac 17:7), of the requirements of the Mosaic law (#Col 2:14), and here of the regulations or conclusions of the Jerusalem Conference. Silas was with Paul and his presence gave added dignity to the passing out of the decrees, a charter of Gentile freedom, since he was one of the committee from Jerusalem to Antioch (#15:22,27,32). {Which had been ordained} (ta kekrimena). Perfect passive articular participle of krinw, to judge, emphasizing the permanence of the conclusions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. {For to keep} (fulassein). this present active infinitive likewise accents that it is a charter of liberty for continual living, not a temporary compromise.
