And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

ACTS 15:7KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 15:7 (KJV)

What does Acts 15:7 mean?

Acts 15:7 records Peter pointing to an earlier event as evidence in a dispute about whether Gentiles, people who were not Jewish, needed to follow a Jewish requirement. Peter says God had chosen him to bring the good news to Gentiles, and they came to believe it.

The meeting in Jerusalem was debating whether Gentile believers needed to be circumcised, a physical mark required by Jewish law. After much discussion, Peter addressed the gathered believers as “Men and brethren.” His words recall his visit to the household of Cornelius, a Gentile, in Acts 10.

The Greek behind Acts 15:7

  • “disputing” — συζήτησις (syzētēsis): This word carries the sense of a discussion or debate, sometimes involving disagreement. It helps explain why Peter’s account enters the conversation as a contribution to an ongoing dispute.
  • “gospel” — εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion): This word means “good news.” In Peter’s account, the Gentiles heard a message through him and believed it.

Why Acts 15:7 matters

  • Peter grounds his argument in an earlier event rather than a new proposal. His phrase “a good while ago” points the listeners back to what had already happened.
  • Peter presents God as the one who took the initiative. He says that God “made choice” that the Gentiles would hear through Peter’s mouth.
  • The verse also prepares for Peter’s next point about how God received those Gentiles. In verse 8, Peter says God gave them the Holy Ghost, as he had given the Spirit to the Jewish believers.

Where else these words appear

“disputing” Greek G4803 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
  • Acts 28:29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

“good” Greek G744 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
  • Luke 9:8 And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

“know” Greek G1987 · used in 14 verses

  • Mark 14:68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
  • Acts 19:25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
  • Acts 26:26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

“choice” Greek G1586 · used in 19 verses

  • Mark 13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.
  • John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
  • Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: