ACTS 15:9 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.”
He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith — the principle of non-discrimination (diakrinō) is theological bedrock: God makes no distinction based on ethnicity or law-observance. The verb purified (katharizō) recalls Old Testament ceremonial language, now reinterpreted spiritually: faith purifies hearts, not water or blood sacrifice. This internalizes purity from external acts to inward orientation.
Church Fathers on Acts 15:9
And put no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Acts 15:9 From faith alone, he says, they obtained the same gifts. This is also meant as a lesson to those (objectors); this is able to teach even them that faith only is needed, not works nor circumcision. For indeed they do not say all this only by way of apology for the Gentiles, but to teach (the Jewish believers) also to abandon the Law. However, at present this is not said.
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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