Definition: And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Acts 5:38. It’s a really important passage about protecting the early Christians and stopping something they’re doing. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Core of the Verse: “And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Now I say unto you…” : This is a formal introduction – the speaker is giving an important instruction. It’s like saying "Listen carefully to me..." “…Refrain from these men…” : This is the key part. The verse is telling us to stop these specific people . They are the ones who are causing trouble or acting in a way that's problematic. “…and let them alone…” : This means we need to actively discourage or not involve them. They need to be kept away from the group. “For if this counsel or this work be of men…” : This is where it gets important. The speaker isn’t saying they are inherently bad. Instead, they're saying that the actions they're referring to – whatever this "work" is – are being initiated by people . It’s a warning about potential trouble coming from them. “…it will come to nought.” : This means “it will fail” or “it will be unsuccessful.” If these people continue their actions, the result won't work out well. What does this verse tell us? It’s a warning about potential conflict and the need to protect the group of believers from potentially harmful behavior. It suggests that these men might be engaging in something that's not right or that could lead to problems for them. In short, it’s a call to vigilance and protection against those who are acting in ways that could harm the community. --- To help me explain this verse even better, would you like me to: Give you a little more context about what "this work" might be? Explain why this verse is important in the history of the early church?