As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

ACTS 21:25KJV
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Acts 21:25 (KJV)

What does Acts 21:25 mean?

Acts 21:25 explains that Gentile believers are not required to follow the Jewish law in full, but should avoid things offered to idols, blood, things strangled, and sexual immorality. The verse summarizes a decision made by church leaders about what is expected of non-Jewish followers of Jesus.

Paul is in Jerusalem, and the church leaders are clarifying what rules apply to Gentile Christians. They remind everyone of a previous letter (from Acts 15) that set out these basic requirements, aiming to help Gentile believers live in harmony with Jewish Christians without taking on the whole Mosaic law. This decision was meant to support unity in the early, diverse church.

The Greek behind Acts 21:25

  • ἔθνεσιν (ethnesin, "Gentiles"): This word refers to non-Jewish people, highlighting that the instructions are specifically for those outside the Jewish community.
  • εἰδωλοθύτων (eidōlothytōn, "things offered to idols"): The Greek word points to food or items sacrificed to pagan gods, which was a common practice in the surrounding culture and a sensitive issue for both Jews and Gentiles.
  • πορνείας (porneias, "fornication"): This term covers sexual immorality in general, not just one specific act, reflecting the broad moral concern of the instruction.

Why Acts 21:25 matters

  • Acts 21:25 clears up that Gentile Christians were not expected to adopt all Jewish customs, which was a major issue in the early church.
  • The verse shows the church leaders’ effort to balance respect for Jewish traditions with the inclusion of Gentiles, helping prevent unnecessary divisions.
  • It connects directly to the earlier council in Acts 15, showing consistency and continuity in how the early church handled cultural and religious differences.

Where else these words appear

“written” Greek G1989 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
  • Hebrews 13:22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

“strangled” Greek G4156 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
  • Acts 15:29 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.

“idols” Greek G1494 · used in 10 verses

  • Acts 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.
  • 1 Corinthians 8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

“fornication” Greek G4202 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
  • 1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: