{Hearken unto me} (akousate mou). Usual appeal for
attention. James was termed James the Just and was considered a
representative of the Hebraic as opposed to the Hellenistic wing
of the Jewish Christians ( Ac 6:1 ). The Judaizers had doubtless
counted on him as a champion of their view and did later
wrongfully make use of his name against Peter at Antioch ( Ga
2:12 ). There was instant attention when James began to speak.
{Symeon} (Sume(936e)). The Aramaic form of Simon as in  2Pe 2:1 .
This little touch would show his affinities with the Jewish
Christians (not the Judaizers). This Aramaic form is used also in
 Lu 2:25,34  of the old prophet in the temple. Possibly both
forms (Symeon, Aramaic, and Simon, Greek) were current in
Jerusalem. {How} (kath(9373)). Strictly, "according as," here like
hos in indirect discourse somewhat like the epexegetic or
explanatory use in  3Jo 1:3 . {First} (pr(9374)on). Told by Peter
in verse  7 . James notes, as Peter did, that this experience of
Barnabas and Paul is not the beginning of work among the
Gentiles. {Did visit} (epeskepsato). First aorist middle
indicative of episkeptomai, old verb to look upon, to look
after, provide for. This same verb occurs in  Jas 1:27  and is
one of various points of similarity between this speech of James
in Acts and the Epistle of James as shown by Mayor in his
_Commentary on James_. Somehow Luke may have obtained notes of
these various addresses. {To take from the Gentiles a people for
his name} (labein ex ethn(936e) laon t(9369) onomati autou). Bengel
calls this _egregium paradoxon_, a chosen people (laon) out of
the Gentiles (ethn(936e)). This is what is really involved in what
took place at Caesarea at the hands of Peter and the campaign of
Barnabas and Paul from Antioch. But such a claim of God's purpose
called for proof from Scripture to convince Jews and this is
precisely what James undertakes to give. This new Israel from
among the Gentiles is one of Paul's great doctrines as set forth
in  Ga 3  Ro 9-11 . Note the use of God's "name" here for "the
Israel of God" ( Ga 6:16 ).