Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 15:13

"And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:" — Acts 15:13 (ASV)

James, the Lord’s brother, presided at the Jerusalem Council (cf. comment on 12:17). He was ascetic and scrupulous in keeping the law. The Judaizers within the church looked to him for support, knowing both his legal qualifications and his personal qualities. But while rigorous and scrupulous in his personal practice of the faith, James was more broadminded than many of his followers. After calling the council to order by using the formal mode of address “Men, brothers,” he went on to sum up the emerging view of the council in a way that linked it to what had already been said.