Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
the Second Week after Easter
the Second Week after Easter
video advertismenet
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!
Click here to join the effort!
Read the Bible
George Lamsa Translation
Acts 15:14
Simon Peter has told you how God from the beginning chose a people from the Gentiles for his name.
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- CondensedDevotionals:
- EveryParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for his name.
Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for his name.
King James Version (1611)
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visite the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his Name.
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visite the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his Name.
King James Version
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
English Standard Version
Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
New American Standard Bible
"Simeon has described how God first concerned Himself about taking a people for His name from among the Gentiles.
"Simeon has described how God first concerned Himself about taking a people for His name from among the Gentiles.
New Century Version
Simon has told us how God showed his love for those people. For the first time he is accepting from among them a people to be his own.
Simon has told us how God showed his love for those people. For the first time he is accepting from among them a people to be his own.
Amplified Bible
"Simeon (Simon Peter) has described how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name [to honor Him and be identified with Him].
"Simeon (Simon Peter) has described how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name [to honor Him and be identified with Him].
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.
"Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.
Legacy Standard Bible
Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.
Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.
Berean Standard Bible
Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own.
Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own.
Contemporary English Version
Simon Peter has told how God first came to the Gentiles and made some of them his own people.
Simon Peter has told how God first came to the Gentiles and made some of them his own people.
Complete Jewish Bible
Shim‘on has told in detail what God did when he first began to show his concern for taking from among the Goyim a people to bear his name.
Shim‘on has told in detail what God did when he first began to show his concern for taking from among the Goyim a people to bear his name.
Darby Translation
Simon has related how God first visited to take out of [the] nations a people for his name.
Simon has related how God first visited to take out of [the] nations a people for his name.
Easy-to-Read Version
Simon Peter has told us how God showed his love for the non-Jewish people. For the first time, God accepted them and made them his people.
Simon Peter has told us how God showed his love for the non-Jewish people. For the first time, God accepted them and made them his people.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Simeon hath declared, howe God first did visite the Gentiles, to take of them a people vnto his Name.
Simeon hath declared, howe God first did visite the Gentiles, to take of them a people vnto his Name.
Good News Translation
Simon has just explained how God first showed his care for the Gentiles by taking from among them a people to belong to him.
Simon has just explained how God first showed his care for the Gentiles by taking from among them a people to belong to him.
Lexham English Bible
Simeon has described how God first concerned himself to take from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
Simeon has described how God first concerned himself to take from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
Literal Translation
Simon recounted how even as at first God oversaw to take a people out from among the nations for His name.
Simon recounted how even as at first God oversaw to take a people out from among the nations for His name.
American Standard Version
Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Bible in Basic English
Symeon has given an account of how God was first pleased to take from among the Gentiles a people for himself.
Symeon has given an account of how God was first pleased to take from among the Gentiles a people for himself.
Hebrew Names Version
Shim`on has reported how God first visited the Goyim, to take out of them a people for his name.
Shim`on has reported how God first visited the Goyim, to take out of them a people for his name.
International Standard Version
Simeon has explained how God first showed his concern for the Gentiles by taking from among them a people for his name.Acts 15:7;">[xr]
Simeon has explained how God first showed his concern for the Gentiles by taking from among them a people for his name.Acts 15:7;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
Shemun hath related to you how Aloha hath begun to elect from the Gentiles a people to his name.
Shemun hath related to you how Aloha hath begun to elect from the Gentiles a people to his name.
Murdock Translation
Simon hath related to you, how God hath begun to elect a people for his name from among the Gentiles.
Simon hath related to you, how God hath begun to elect a people for his name from among the Gentiles.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Simeon tolde, howe God at the begynnyng dyd visite, to receaue of the gentiles, a people in his name.
Simeon tolde, howe God at the begynnyng dyd visite, to receaue of the gentiles, a people in his name.
English Revised Version
Symeon hath rehearsed how first God did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Symeon hath rehearsed how first God did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
World English Bible
Simeon has reported how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Simeon has reported how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Simon hath declared, how God at first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Simon hath declared, how God at first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Weymouth's New Testament
Symeon has related how God first looked graciously on the Gentiles to take from among them a People to be called by His name.
Symeon has related how God first looked graciously on the Gentiles to take from among them a People to be called by His name.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Symount telde, hou God visitide, first to take of hethene men a puple to his name.
Symount telde, hou God visitide, first to take of hethene men a puple to his name.
Update Bible Version
Symeon has rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Symeon has rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Webster's Bible Translation
Simeon hath declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take from among them a people for his name.
Simeon hath declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take from among them a people for his name.
New English Translation
Simeon has explained how God first concerned himself to select from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
Simeon has explained how God first concerned himself to select from among the Gentiles a people for his name.
New King James Version
Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.
Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.
New Living Translation
Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself.
Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself.
New Life Bible
Simon Peter has told how God first visited the people who are not Jews. He was getting a people for Himself.
Simon Peter has told how God first visited the people who are not Jews. He was getting a people for Himself.
New Revised Standard
Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name.
Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Symeon, hath fully told how God, first visited, to take out of the nations, a people for his name.
Symeon, hath fully told how God, first visited, to take out of the nations, a people for his name.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Simon hath related how God first visited to take to the Gentiles, a people to his name.
Simon hath related how God first visited to take to the Gentiles, a people to his name.
Revised Standard Version
Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Simeon tolde how God at the begynnynge dyd visit the gentyls and receaved of them people vnto his name.
Simeon tolde how God at the begynnynge dyd visit the gentyls and receaved of them people vnto his name.
Young's Literal Translation
Simeon did declare how at first God did look after to take out of the nations a people for His name,
Simeon did declare how at first God did look after to take out of the nations a people for His name,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Simo hath tolde, how God at the first vysited to receaue a people vnto his name from amonge the Heythen.
Simo hath tolde, how God at the first vysited to receaue a people vnto his name from amonge the Heythen.
Mace New Testament (1729)
Simon has related how God began to visit the Gentiles, to chuse from among them a people consecrated to his name.
Simon has related how God began to visit the Gentiles, to chuse from among them a people consecrated to his name.
THE MESSAGE
To Let Outsiders Inside It wasn't long before some Jews showed up from Judea insisting that everyone be circumcised: "If you're not circumcised in the Mosaic fashion, you can't be saved." Paul and Barnabas were up on their feet at once in fierce protest. The church decided to resolve the matter by sending Paul, Barnabas, and a few others to put it before the apostles and leaders in Jerusalem. After they were sent off and on their way, they told everyone they met as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria about the breakthrough to the non-Jewish outsiders. Everyone who heard the news cheered—it was terrific news! When they got to Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas were graciously received by the whole church, including the apostles and leaders. They reported on their recent journey and how God had used them to open things up to the outsiders. Some Pharisees stood up to say their piece. They had become believers, but continued to hold to the hard party line of the Pharisees. "You have to circumcise the pagan converts," they said. "You must make them keep the Law of Moses." The apostles and leaders called a special meeting to consider the matter. The arguments went on and on, back and forth, getting more and more heated. Then Peter took the floor: "Friends, you well know that from early on God made it quite plain that he wanted the pagans to hear the Message of this good news and embrace it—and not in any secondhand or roundabout way, but firsthand, straight from my mouth. And God, who can't be fooled by any pretense on our part but always knows a person's thoughts, gave them the Holy Spirit exactly as he gave him to us. He treated the outsiders exactly as he treated us, beginning at the very center of who they were and working from that center outward, cleaning up their lives as they trusted and believed him. "So why are you now trying to out-god God, loading these new believers down with rules that crushed our ancestors and crushed us, too? Don't we believe that we are saved because the Master Jesus amazingly and out of sheer generosity moved to save us just as he did those from beyond our nation? So what are we arguing about?" There was dead silence. No one said a word. With the room quiet, Barnabas and Paul reported matter-of-factly on the miracles and wonders God had done among the other nations through their ministry. The silence deepened; you could hear a pin drop. James broke the silence. "Friends, listen. Simeon has told us the story of how God at the very outset made sure that racial outsiders were included. This is in perfect agreement with the words of the prophets: After this, I'm coming back; I'll rebuild David's ruined house; I'll put all the pieces together again; I'll make it look like new So outsiders who seek will find, so they'll have a place to come to, All the pagan peoples included in what I'm doing. "God said it and now he's doing it. It's no afterthought; he's always known he would do this. "So here is my decision: We're not going to unnecessarily burden non-Jewish people who turn to the Master. We'll write them a letter and tell them, ‘Be careful to not get involved in activities connected with idols, to guard the morality of sex and marriage, to not serve food offensive to Jewish Christians—blood, for instance.' This is basic wisdom from Moses, preached and honored for centuries now in city after city as we have met and kept the Sabbath." Everyone agreed: apostles, leaders, all the people. They picked Judas (nicknamed Barsabbas) and Silas—they both carried considerable weight in the church—and sent them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas with this letter: From the apostles and leaders, your friends, to our friends in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Hello! We heard that some men from our church went to you and said things that confused and upset you. Mind you, they had no authority from us; we didn't send them. We have agreed unanimously to pick representatives and send them to you with our good friends Barnabas and Paul. We picked men we knew you could trust, Judas and Silas—they've looked death in the face time and again for the sake of our Master Jesus Christ. We've sent them to confirm in a face-to-face meeting with you what we've written. It seemed to the Holy Spirit and to us that you should not be saddled with any crushing burden, but be responsible only for these bare necessities: Be careful not to get involved in activities connected with idols; avoid serving food offensive to Jewish Christians (blood, for instance); and guard the morality of sex and marriage. These guidelines are sufficient to keep relations congenial between us. And God be with you! And so off they went to Antioch. On arrival, they gathered the church and read the letter. The people were greatly relieved and pleased. Judas and Silas, good preachers both of them, strengthened their new friends with many words of courage and hope. Then it was time to go home. They were sent off by their new friends with laughter and embraces all around to report back to those who had sent them. Paul and Barnabas stayed on in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of God. But they weren't alone. There were a number of teachers and preachers at that time in Antioch. After a few days of this, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit all our friends in each of the towns where we preached the Word of God. Let's see how they're doing." Barnabas wanted to take John along, the John nicknamed Mark. But Paul wouldn't have him; he wasn't about to take along a quitter who, as soon as the going got tough, had jumped ship on them in Pamphylia. Tempers flared, and they ended up going their separate ways: Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus; Paul chose Silas and, offered up by their friends to the grace of the Master, went to Syria and Cilicia to build up muscle and sinew in those congregations.
To Let Outsiders Inside It wasn't long before some Jews showed up from Judea insisting that everyone be circumcised: "If you're not circumcised in the Mosaic fashion, you can't be saved." Paul and Barnabas were up on their feet at once in fierce protest. The church decided to resolve the matter by sending Paul, Barnabas, and a few others to put it before the apostles and leaders in Jerusalem. After they were sent off and on their way, they told everyone they met as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria about the breakthrough to the non-Jewish outsiders. Everyone who heard the news cheered—it was terrific news! When they got to Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas were graciously received by the whole church, including the apostles and leaders. They reported on their recent journey and how God had used them to open things up to the outsiders. Some Pharisees stood up to say their piece. They had become believers, but continued to hold to the hard party line of the Pharisees. "You have to circumcise the pagan converts," they said. "You must make them keep the Law of Moses." The apostles and leaders called a special meeting to consider the matter. The arguments went on and on, back and forth, getting more and more heated. Then Peter took the floor: "Friends, you well know that from early on God made it quite plain that he wanted the pagans to hear the Message of this good news and embrace it—and not in any secondhand or roundabout way, but firsthand, straight from my mouth. And God, who can't be fooled by any pretense on our part but always knows a person's thoughts, gave them the Holy Spirit exactly as he gave him to us. He treated the outsiders exactly as he treated us, beginning at the very center of who they were and working from that center outward, cleaning up their lives as they trusted and believed him. "So why are you now trying to out-god God, loading these new believers down with rules that crushed our ancestors and crushed us, too? Don't we believe that we are saved because the Master Jesus amazingly and out of sheer generosity moved to save us just as he did those from beyond our nation? So what are we arguing about?" There was dead silence. No one said a word. With the room quiet, Barnabas and Paul reported matter-of-factly on the miracles and wonders God had done among the other nations through their ministry. The silence deepened; you could hear a pin drop. James broke the silence. "Friends, listen. Simeon has told us the story of how God at the very outset made sure that racial outsiders were included. This is in perfect agreement with the words of the prophets: After this, I'm coming back; I'll rebuild David's ruined house; I'll put all the pieces together again; I'll make it look like new So outsiders who seek will find, so they'll have a place to come to, All the pagan peoples included in what I'm doing. "God said it and now he's doing it. It's no afterthought; he's always known he would do this. "So here is my decision: We're not going to unnecessarily burden non-Jewish people who turn to the Master. We'll write them a letter and tell them, ‘Be careful to not get involved in activities connected with idols, to guard the morality of sex and marriage, to not serve food offensive to Jewish Christians—blood, for instance.' This is basic wisdom from Moses, preached and honored for centuries now in city after city as we have met and kept the Sabbath." Everyone agreed: apostles, leaders, all the people. They picked Judas (nicknamed Barsabbas) and Silas—they both carried considerable weight in the church—and sent them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas with this letter: From the apostles and leaders, your friends, to our friends in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Hello! We heard that some men from our church went to you and said things that confused and upset you. Mind you, they had no authority from us; we didn't send them. We have agreed unanimously to pick representatives and send them to you with our good friends Barnabas and Paul. We picked men we knew you could trust, Judas and Silas—they've looked death in the face time and again for the sake of our Master Jesus Christ. We've sent them to confirm in a face-to-face meeting with you what we've written. It seemed to the Holy Spirit and to us that you should not be saddled with any crushing burden, but be responsible only for these bare necessities: Be careful not to get involved in activities connected with idols; avoid serving food offensive to Jewish Christians (blood, for instance); and guard the morality of sex and marriage. These guidelines are sufficient to keep relations congenial between us. And God be with you! And so off they went to Antioch. On arrival, they gathered the church and read the letter. The people were greatly relieved and pleased. Judas and Silas, good preachers both of them, strengthened their new friends with many words of courage and hope. Then it was time to go home. They were sent off by their new friends with laughter and embraces all around to report back to those who had sent them. Paul and Barnabas stayed on in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of God. But they weren't alone. There were a number of teachers and preachers at that time in Antioch. After a few days of this, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit all our friends in each of the towns where we preached the Word of God. Let's see how they're doing." Barnabas wanted to take John along, the John nicknamed Mark. But Paul wouldn't have him; he wasn't about to take along a quitter who, as soon as the going got tough, had jumped ship on them in Pamphylia. Tempers flared, and they ended up going their separate ways: Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus; Paul chose Silas and, offered up by their friends to the grace of the Master, went to Syria and Cilicia to build up muscle and sinew in those congregations.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Pete talked to you about how God first decided he was going to bring the unbranded mavericks into his herd for himself.
Pete talked to you about how God first decided he was going to bring the unbranded mavericks into his herd for himself.
Contextual Overview
6 Then the apostles and elders assembled to consider this matter. 7 And after much controversy, Simon Peter rose up and said to them, Men and brethren, you know that from the early days God chose that from my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the Gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows what is in the heart, has testified concerning them, and has given them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us. 9 And he did not discriminate between us and them, because he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you tempt God by putting a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ, we shall be saved even as they. 12 Then the whole congregation was silent, and listened to Paul and Barnabas, who were declaring the miracles and signs among the Gentiles and everything which God had wrought by their hands. 13 And when they had ceased speaking, James rose up and said, Men and brethren, hear me: 14 Simon Peter has told you how God from the beginning chose a people from the Gentiles for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written,
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Simeon: 2 Peter 1:1,*Gr.
declared: Acts 15:7-9, Luke 1:68, Luke 1:78, Luke 2:31, Luke 2:32
to take: Isaiah 43:21, Isaiah 55:11-13, Romans 1:5, Romans 11:36, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 2:10
Reciprocal: Exodus 3:16 - visited Psalms 48:13 - consider Psalms 106:4 - visit Song of Solomon 8:8 - a little Isaiah 14:1 - the strangers Isaiah 23:17 - visit Zechariah 8:20 - there Matthew 3:9 - God Luke 13:19 - and it John 10:16 - them Acts 2:39 - and to all Acts 13:47 - that thou Acts 18:10 - for Acts 28:28 - sent Romans 9:24 - not of the Jews Ephesians 2:13 - were Titus 2:14 - unto 1 Peter 2:12 - the day
Cross-References
Genesis 15:1
AFTER these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram; I am your shield, and your reward is exceedingly great.
AFTER these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram; I am your shield, and your reward is exceedingly great.
Genesis 15:2
And Abram said, O LORD God, what will thou give me, for I will die childless, and Eliezer of Damascus, one of my household, will be my heir?
And Abram said, O LORD God, what will thou give me, for I will die childless, and Eliezer of Damascus, one of my household, will be my heir?
Genesis 15:4
Then the LORD said to him, This man shall not be your heir; but your own son that shall come out of your own loins shall be your heir.
Then the LORD said to him, This man shall not be your heir; but your own son that shall come out of your own loins shall be your heir.
Genesis 15:5
And he brought him outside, and said to him, Look now toward heaven and number the stars, if you are able to number them; and he said to him, So shall your descendants be.
And he brought him outside, and said to him, Look now toward heaven and number the stars, if you are able to number them; and he said to him, So shall your descendants be.
Genesis 15:6
And Abram believed in the LORD; and it was counted to him for righteousness.
And Abram believed in the LORD; and it was counted to him for righteousness.
Genesis 15:7
And he said to him, I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.
And he said to him, I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.
Genesis 15:9
And he said to him, Take for yourself a heifer, three years old, a three year old ram, a three year old she-goat, a pigeon, and a young dove.
And he said to him, Take for yourself a heifer, three years old, a three year old ram, a three year old she-goat, a pigeon, and a young dove.
Genesis 15:11
And when the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
And when the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
Genesis 15:14
But I will judge the nation which they shall serve; and afterward they shall come out with great wealth.
But I will judge the nation which they shall serve; and afterward they shall come out with great wealth.
Genesis 15:18
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your descendants have I given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates:
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your descendants have I given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates:
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles,.... James begins with taking notice of Peter's speech, and agrees to it, and confirms it; for by Simeon is not meant, as some have thought, the Simeon that took Christ in his arms, Luke 2:25 who had been dead long ago; but Simon Peter, who had spoken before. Simon and Simeon are one and the same name; the former is only a contraction of the latter in the Syriac language; Simeon was his pure Hebrew name, and James speaking to an assembly of Hebrews, uses it; and observes, that he had given a very clear and distinct narrative, how God at the first preaching of the Gospel, quickly after the day of Pentecost, was pleased to look upon the Gentiles, and show favour to them, and visit them in a way of grace and mercy, by sending the Gospel to them, and his Spirit to make it effectual: this was a gracious visit; he came and looked upon them, quickened them, and spoke comfortably to them, and bestowed special favours upon them; the set time for such a visit being come: the Arabic version renders it, "how God first promised"; referring to the promises concerning the calling of the Gentiles, which James afterwards confirms by citing a passage out of the prophets to the same purpose: the Syriac version, "how God began to choose out of the Gentiles": that is, by calling them by his grace; and the Ethiopic version, "how God first had mercy on the Gentiles"; who before had not obtained mercy:
to take out of them a people for his name; for himself, for his own glory, to call upon his name, and to be called by his name, to bear his name, and support his Gospel, cause and interest: the distinguishing grace of God may be seen herein; it was grace to visit them, to look upon them, when for many hundreds of years he had overlooked them, he had taken no notice of them; and it was distinguishing grace to take some out of them, to be a special and peculiar people to himself; to separate them from the rest by his powerful and efficacious grace, and form them into a church state, that they might show forth his praise and glorify him.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Simeon - This is a Hebrew name. The Greek mode of writing it commonly was Simon. It was one of the names of Peter, Matthew 4:18.
To take out of them a people - To choose from among the Gentries those who should be his friends.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Acts 15:14. Simeon hath declared — It is remarkable that James does not give him even the title which he received from our Lord at the time in which he is supposed to have been made head of the Church, and vicar of Christ upon earth; so that, it is evident, James did not understand our Lord as giving Peter any such pre-eminence; and, therefore, he does not even call him Peter, but simply Simeon. It is truly surprising that such a vast number of important pretensions should rest on such slight foundations! If tradition, no matter how interrupted or precarious, did not lend its support, feeble as that necessarily must be, the cause tried by plain Scripture would fall to the ground.
To take out of them a people for his name. — To form among the Gentiles, as he had among the Jews, a people called by his name and devoted to his honour.
