Acts 15:17

17 so that all other peoples may seek the Lord— even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called. Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things

Acts 15:17 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 15:17

That the residue of men might seek after the Lord
The rebuilder and proprietor of this tabernacle, and who dwells in it; that is, attend his worship, pray unto him, and seek unto him for life and salvation: in Amos these are called, "the remnant of Edom": and design the remnant according to the election of grace among the Gentiles; the Jews generally call all other nations, and especially the Roman empire, Edom:

and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called;
for God is the God of the whole earth, of the Gentiles as well as of the Jews; and his Gospel was now spread among them, and many of them were converted and called Christians, and the children and people of God: the Jews


FOOTNOTES:

F24 understand this of the people of Israel, who are called by the name of the Lord, or on whom his name is called; and some think the words are to be transposed F25 thus,

``that Israel on whom my name is called might possess the remnant of Edom, and all the people;''

and is true of their possessing or enjoying them in a Gospel church state:

saith the Lord, who doth all these things;
raises up the tabernacle of David, revives the interest of religion, resettles the church, and increases it, calls and converts the Gentiles, causes them to seek after the Lord, and unites them in one church state with the Jews; the word "all" is left out in the Alexandrian copy, and in the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, and is not in Amos.


F24 Targum in Amos ix. 12.
F25 Kimchi & Aben Ezra in ib.

Acts 15:17 In-Context

15 This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,
16 "After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up,
17 so that all other peoples may seek the Lord— even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called. Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things
18 known from long ago.'
19 Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God,
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.