Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 15:17

"That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called," — Acts 15:17 (ASV)

That the residue of men. This verse is quoted literally from the Septuagint and differs in some respects from the Hebrew. The phrase, "the residue of men," here is evidently understood, both by the Seventy and by James, as referring to others than the Jews—to the Gentiles. It implies that the rest of the world, many of them, would be admitted to the friendship and favour of God.

The Hebrew text reads, that they may possess the remnant of Edom. This change is made in the Septuagint by a slight difference in the reading of two Hebrew words. The Seventy, instead of the Hebrew rendering shall inherit, read shall seek of thee; and instead of Edom, they read Man, or mankind, that is, men.

Why this variation occurred cannot be explained, but the sense is not materially different. In the Hebrew, the word Edom has undoubted reference to another nation than the Jewish. The expression means that in the great prosperity of the Jews, after their return, they should extend the influence of their religion to other nations; that is, as James applies it, the Gentiles might be brought to the privileges of the children of God.

And all the Gentiles. Hebrew: All the heathen; that is, all who were not Jews. This was a clear prediction that other nations were to be favoured with the light of the true religion, and that without any mention of their conforming to the rites of the Jewish people.

Upon whom my name is called. Who are called by my name, or who are regarded by me as my people.

Who doeth all these things. That is, who will certainly accomplish this in its time.