Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
They delivered them (paredidosan autoiv). Imperfect active, kept on delivering to them in city after city. This is a proof of Paul's loyalty to the Jerusalem compact (Knowling). The circumcision of Timothy would indicate also that the points involved were under discussion and that Paul felt no inconsistency in what he did.
The decrees (ta dogmata). Old word from dokew, to give an opinion. It is used of public decrees of rulers (Luke 2:1; Acts 17:7), of the requirements of the Mosaic law (Colossians 2:14), and here of the regulations or conclusions of the Jerusalem Conference. Silas was with Paul and his presence gave added dignity to the passing out of the decrees, a charter of Gentile freedom, since he was one of the committee from Jerusalem to Antioch (Acts 15:22, Acts 15:27, Acts 15:32).
Which had been ordained (ta kekrimena). Perfect passive articular participle of krinw, to judge, emphasizing the permanence of the conclusions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.
For to keep (fulassein). This present active infinitive likewise accents that it is a charter of liberty for continual living, not a temporary compromise.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Acts 16:4:
Acts 15:23
Acts 15:29
Acts 16:6
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