Acts 15:20

King James Version (KJV)

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Translations

Acts 15:20 - Amplified Bible

But we should send word to them in writing to abstain from {and} avoid anything that has been polluted by being offered to idols, and all sexual impurity, and [eating meat of animals] that have been strangled, and [tasting of] blood.

Acts 15:20 - American Standard Version

but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.

Acts 15:20 - Bible in Basic English

But that we give them orders to keep themselves from things offered to false gods, and from the evil desires of the body, and from the flesh of animals put to death in ways against the law, and from blood.

Acts 15:20 - Darby Bible

but to write to them to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.

Acts 15:20 - English Standard Version

but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.

Acts 15:20 - King James Version

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Acts 15:20 - La Biblia de las Americas

sino que les escribamos que se abstengan de cosas contaminadas por los ìdolos, de fornicaciòn, de lo estrangulado y de sangre.

Acts 15:20 - The Message

Acts 15:20 - New American Standard Bible

but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.

Acts 15:20 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

sino que les escribamos que se abstengan de cosas contaminadas por los ìdolos, de fornicaciòn, de lo estrangulado y de sangre.

Acts 15:20 - World English Bible

but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

Acts 15:20 - Young's Living Translation

but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols, and the whoredom, and the strangled thing; and the blood;

Acts 15:20 - Additional Comments

It appears James is well respected, a strong Christian, very practical in the faith (read his epistle), and has a good grasp of Scripture, as shown by his references to it. From his grasp of Scripture, he offers a suggestion of what in the law they should still pay attention to. They acknowledge this also was by leading from the Holy Spirit (vs 28).
This partially was to keep from further offending the Jews. See 1 Cor 10:23-33.
* abstain from things polluted by idols - while allowed to eat these things, they need to avoid them for the sake of others' consciences. And, God makes is very clear that they are to avoid any form of idolatry (1 Cor 10:14, 2 Cor 6:14). We are told to flee from idolatry.
* abstain from sexual immorality - there are few things more clearly forbidden, both because of God's commands but also because of the results, the damage to self, anyone else directly involved, and even those indirectly involved, like family. 1 Thess 4:3-5 - "Sexual immorality" is anything that causes the physical or thought life to dwell where it shouldn't. Prov 2:16-19 lists some of the penalties.
* abstain from things strangled, and from blood - the Jews had a great dislike to them, and to all those that took a liberty to use them; and therefore, to avoid giving offence, let the Gentile converts loe their liberty on this. 1 Cor 8:9, 1 Cor 8:13. Thus we must become all things to all men.
The council must have agreed to these measures, for this is what was conveyed to the Gentiles.(vs 29). They felt it was from the Holy Spirit (vs 28).

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