And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, arrived at Jerusalem together with his companions. Luke describes this coming as met by the brethren — the believers in Jerusalem — who received and welcomed Paul and his party gladly and kindly. Those who thus welcomed him had hearts open to receive the glad tidings he brought, and they loved him for the sake of Christ and the truth, even though everywhere he encountered prejudice, envy, and jealousy.
On this visit Paul and his companions presented the Jerusalem leaders with contributions gathered from the Gentile churches for the support of the poor Jewish believers. Those gifts expressed the loyalty of the Gentile converts to God's worldwide work and their brotherly love, and they represented sacrifice and hardship on the givers' part. Cheering and friendly as this greeting was, it did not settle Paul's concern and anxiety about the attitude of the Jerusalem church toward him and his work. The real feelings of the church would become clearer and be more fully seen on the next day, when Paul went with his companions to James, where all the elders were present.
Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, arrived at Jerusalem together with his companions. Luke describes this coming as met by the brethren — the believers in Jerusalem — who received and welcomed Paul and his party gladly and kindly. Those who thus welcomed him had hearts open to receive the glad tidings he brought, and they loved him for the sake of Christ and the truth, even though everywhere he encountered prejudice, envy, and jealousy.
On this visit Paul and his companions presented the Jerusalem leaders with contributions gathered from the Gentile churches for the support of the poor Jewish believers. Those gifts expressed the loyalty of the Gentile converts to God's worldwide work and their brotherly love, and they represented sacrifice and hardship on the givers' part. Cheering and friendly as this greeting was, it did not settle Paul's concern and anxiety about the attitude of the Jerusalem church toward him and his work. The real feelings of the church would become clearer and be more fully seen on the next day, when Paul went with his companions to James, where all the elders were present.