ACTS 21:24 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.”
Take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live orderly, keeping the law — James proposes that Paul fund the completion of four men's Nazirite vows and participate in the purification ritual, demonstrating his allegiance to Torah. This is a politically shrewd move designed to silence calumny, yet it places Paul in a morally complex position: must apostolic freedom to Gentiles be purchased at the cost of performing Jewish observance?
Church Fathers on Acts 21:24
that you teach apostasy from Moses to all the Jews which are among the Gentiles, by telling them not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. Acts 21:21 What is it therefore? The multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that you have come. Do therefore this that we say to you (v. 22, 23): they say these things as advising, not as commanding. We have four men which have a vow on them; them take, and purify yourself with them, and be at…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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