Definition: And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men [and] brethren, hearken unto me:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 15:13: “And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me.” Here's a simple explanation in easy terms: Basically, James is calling on people to listen to him. “After they had held their peace…” – This means before he speaks, the group of believers was quiet and calm. They weren’t arguing or disagreeing. “…James answered, saying…” – James is speaking up. He's initiating a conversation with the audience. “Men and brethren, hearken unto me:” - This is James’s main point. “Men” refers to all the believers present – it’s not just a specific group of people, but everyone . “Brothers” means those who are close to him or part of his community. “Hearken unto me” means "listen to me" – he's asking them to pay attention and listen to what he has to say. In short, James is inviting everyone to hear what he has something important to share. What’s the context? This verse comes from a significant moment in the early church. They were facing a challenge – perhaps they were being pressured or challenged by others. James was trying to lead them toward a decision or understanding that would strengthen their faith and community. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the meaning of this verse in more detail?