Acts 15 · Verse 9

Acts 15:9

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Acts 15:9, King James Version

Acts 15:9 in other translations

BSBHe made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith.
WEBHe made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
ASVand he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
YLTand did put no difference also between us and them, by the faith having purified their hearts;
DARBYand put no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith.
BBEMaking no division between them and us, but making clean their hearts by faith.
WebsterAnd put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

What does Acts 15:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. put no difference between us and them: purifying their hearts by faith--"Purification" here refers to "sprinkling (of the conscience by the blood of Jesus) from dead works to serve the living God." (See on 1Co 6:11). How rich is this brief description of the inward revolution wrought upon the genuine disciples of the Lord Jesus!

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 9. And put no difference, etc. Though they had not been circumcised, and though they did not conform to the law of Moses. Thus God showed that the observance of these rites was not necessary in order to the true conversion of men, and to acceptance with him. He did not give us, who are Jews, any advantage over them, but justified and purified all in the same manner.

Purifying their hearts. Thus giving the best evidence that he had renewed them, and admitted them to favour with him.

By faith. By believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. This showed that the plan on which God was now about to show favour to men, was not by external rites and ceremonies, but by a scheme which required faith as the only condition of acceptance. It is further implied here, that there is no true faith which does not purify the heart.

(a) "purifying their hearts by faith" Heb 9:13,14, 1Pet 1:22

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 9 Put no difference between us and them - Giving them the Holy Spirit, though uncircumcised, just as he had given it to us who were circumcised: an evident proof that, in the judgment of God, circumcision was no preparation to receive the Gospel of Christ. And as the purification of the heart by the Holy Spirit was the grand object of the religion of God, and that alone by which the soul could be prepared for a blessed immortality, and the Gentiles had received that without circumcision, consequently, the shadow could not be considered of any worth, now the substance was communicated.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 15:7-21

We see from the words "purifying their hearts by faith," and the address of St. Peter, that justification by faith, and sanctification by the Holy Ghost, cannot be separated; and that both are the gift of God. We have great cause to bless God that we have heard the gospel. May we have that faith which the great Searcher of hearts approves, and attests by the seal of the Holy Spirit. Then our hearts and consciences…

Read the full comment on Acts 15:7-21 →

Acts 15:9 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiandG2532
οὐθὲνouthenno [thing]G3762
διέκρινενdiekrinenHe made distinctionG1252
μεταξὺmetaxubetweenG3342
ἡμῶνhēmōnusG3165
τεtealsoG5037
καὶkaiandG2532
αὐτῶνautōnthemG846
τῇtēaby theG3588
πίστειpisteifaithG4102
καθαρίσαςkatharisashaving purifiedG2511
τὰςtastheG3588
καρδίαςkardiasheartsG2588
αὐτῶν.autōnof them.G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 15:9

  • Ephesians 3:6

    That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

  • Galatians 5:6

    For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

  • Romans 3:22

    Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

  • Acts 10:28

    And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

  • Galatians 3:28

    There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:2

    Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

  • Acts 11:12

    And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:

  • Colossians 3:11

    Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

  • Acts 10:43-44

    To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

  • Acts 10:15

    And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

  • 1 Peter 1:22

    Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

  • Acts 10:34

    Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
put.
14:1,27; Ro 3:9,22,29,30; 4:11,12; 9:24; 10:11-13; 1Co 7:18; Ga 3:28
Ga 5:6; Eph 2:14-22; 3:6; Col 3:11
purifying.
10:15,28,43,44; 1Co 1:2; Heb 9:13,14; 1Pe 1:22

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 15:8

    And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

  • Acts 15:9

    And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

  • Acts 15:10

    Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Read all of Acts 15

Acts 15:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y ninguna diferencia hizo entre nosotros y ellos, purificando con la fe sus corazones.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		et il n’a fait aucune différence entre nous et eux, ayant purifié leurs cœurs par la foi.
German
Elberfelder 1871		und er machte keinen Unterschied zwischen uns und ihnen, indem er durch den Glauben ihre Herzen reinigte.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		et nihil discrevit inter nos et illos, fide purificans corda eorum.