For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us
By various things they had reason doubtless to conclude, that
they were under the influence and direction of the Holy Ghost in
this affair; as by the spirit of prayer that was among them; by
that power and energy with which many of them spoke on this
occasion, and that so agreeable to the word of God; and by that
unanimity with which they came into the advice given. With
respect to the form here used, compare ( 1 Chronicles
13:2 ) and the Targum on it, which renders the words thus;
``if it be beautiful before you, and acceptable before the Lord, let us send''It follows here,
to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary
things;
not that they were necessary to salvation, but necessary to
secure the peace of the churches, and at least were necessary, at
that present time; and therefore since it appeared to be
necessary to enjoin them for the present, they hoped they would
not refuse to bear them; and especially, since, though they must
own they were burdens, and a part of the yoke of bondage, yet
they were not many, nor very heavy, and for the future they
should lay no other, nor more upon them; and what they did, was
to prevent any other or greater burden to be laid; and so the
Syriac version renders it, "lest any more, or greater burden
should be laid upon you."
