{After they had held their peace} (meta to sig(8873)ai
autous). Literally, "after the becoming silent (ingressive
aorist active of the articular infinitive) as to them (Barnabas
and Paul, accusative of general reference)." {James answered}
(apekrith(8820)Iak(9362)os). First aorist passive (deponent)
indicative. It was expected that James, as President of the
Conference, would speak last. But he wisely waited to give every
one an opportunity to speak. The challenge of the Judaizers
called for an opinion from James. Furneaux thinks that he may
have been elected one of the twelve to take the place of James
the brother of John since Paul ( Ga 1:19 ) calls him apostle.
More likely he was asked to preside because of his great gifts
and character as chief of the elders.