“We have heard
That certain people
Who have gone out
From us,
Though with no instructions
From us,
Have said things
To disturb you.
They have unsettled
Your minds.”
Ἐπειδὴ ἠκούσαμεν ὅτι τινὲς ἐξ ἡμῶν ἐτάραξαν ὑμᾶς λόγοις ἀνασκευάζοντες τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν, οἷς οὐ διεστειλάμεθα,
The author of Acts indicated that this letter said that they had heard (Ἐπειδὴ ἠκούσαμεν) that certain people (ὅτι τινὲς) who had gone out from them (ἐξ ἡμῶν), but with no instructions from them (οἷς οὐ διεστειλάμεθα), have said things (ὑμᾶς λόγοις) to disturb or trouble them (ἐτάραξαν). These people have unsettled (ἀνασκευάζοντες) their minds or souls (τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν). Acts was the only Greek biblical writing that used this word ἀνασκευάζοντες, that means to dismantle, pervert, subvert, unsettle, overthrow, or destroy. The leaders of the church or assembly of Christian believers in Jerusalem had heard that some unauthorized people from them in Jerusalem had disturbed them and unsettled or perverted their minds with their instructions. Some ancient texts indicated that they added that these instructions included circumcision and following the law of Moses, but the major texts do not have these comments. The Christian people in Jerusalem wanted them to know in Antioch that not everyone spoke for their Jerusalem assembly or church. This letter was the official stance of the emerging Christian church in Jerusalem. They should not be upset. Who should speak for the church?
