Acts 15:40
BeginnerActs 15:40 · World English Bible (WEB)
“but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.”
Tip: highlight any word or phrase above to go deeper on exactly that.
Overview
Paul begins a new missionary journey with Silas under the church’s commendation to God’s grace.
After the painful disagreement with Barnabas, Paul does not go out as an isolated man acting on personal impulse. The brothers commend him and Silas to the grace of the Lord, entrusting the mission to God’s sustaining favor.
What Makes This Verse Confusing?
This phrase means the church prayerfully entrusted Paul and Silas to God’s grace for the work ahead. It is not merely a polite farewell; it echoes the way missionary labor in Acts is placed under the Lord’s care, provision, and authority.
The verse does not describe the actual act of commendation, such as prayer, fasting, laying on of hands, or spoken blessing. The phrase assumes the earlier missionary pattern in Acts without repeating its details.
This shows that Paul’s second missionary journey, though born immediately after conflict with Barnabas, still moves forward under the blessing of the church and dependence on God’s grace.
Original Language
to deliver — παρα-δίδωμι , [in LXX chiefly for נתן ;] correl. to παρδέχομαι, __1. to give or hand over to another: with accusative and dative, Mat.11:27 25:14 , Luk.4:6 , al.; of being delivered up to a course of teaching, pass. before εἰς, Rom.6:17. __2. to commit, commend : Act.14:26 15:40 , 1Pe.2:23 . __3. to give or deliver up to prison or judgment: with accusative of person(s), Mat.4:12 , Mrk.1:14 , Rom.4…
The word behind “commended” carries the sense of being handed over or entrusted. Paul and Silas are not simply “recommended” in a casual sense; they are entrusted to the Lord’s grace, acknowledging that the mission belongs to God and must be sustained by Him.
grace — χάρις, -ιτος, ἡ Abbott-Smith does not include the article here. , accusative, χάριν (χάριτα in Act.24:27 , Ju 4 ; see WH, App. , 157), [in LXX chiefly for חֵן ;] __1. objectively, that which causes favourable regard, gracefulness, grace, loveliness of form, graciousness of speech (cl.; Ecc.10:12 , Sir.21:16 , al.): Col.4:6 ; λόγοι τ. χάριτος (genitive qual.), Luk.4:22. __2. Subjectively, __(a) on…
“Grace” here is not only forgiveness but God’s active favor and enabling power for ministry. The brothers commend Paul and Silas to the very grace that must carry them through suffering, preaching, strengthening churches, and bearing fruit.
Lexicon & word tagging: STEP Bible (Tyndale House, STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0)
Related Passages
Acts 15:22
backgroundSilas had already been chosen by the Jerusalem church as a trusted leading brother to accompany the apostolic letter.
Acts 14:26
parallelPaul and Barnabas had previously been “commended to the grace of God” for the work they completed.
Acts 11:23
Background1 Corinthians 15:10
BackgroundActs 15:32
backgroundSilas is identified as a prophet who strengthened and encouraged the brothers.
Titus 3:15
BackgroundActs 13:3
Background2 John 1:10-11
BackgroundCross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · openbible.info (CC-BY)
Key Takeaway
Paul and Silas go out not merely as a new team, but as men entrusted by the church to the sustaining grace of God.
The mission continued because God’s grace was greater than the rupture that preceded it.“
Analysis generated on October 28, 2026 · version 2.0
Support DeeperBible
If this analysis helped you understand Scripture better, consider buying me a coffee to keep the site running. 100% free, forever.
☕ Buy Me a Coffee