Acts 15:17

17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’[a]

Acts 15:17 in Other Translations

KJV
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
ESV
17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things
NLT
17 so that the rest of humanity might seek the LORD, including the Gentiles— all those I have called to be mine. The LORD has spoken—
MSG
17 So outsiders who seek will find, so they'll have a place to come to, All the pagan peoples included in what I'm doing.
CSB
17 so that those who are left of mankind may seek the Lord- even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does 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 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
16 “ ‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’ —
18 things known from long ago.
19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

Cross References 1

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Amos 9:11,12 (see Septuagint)
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.