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Acts Chapter
Fourteen
Acts 14
Their missionary labours continue in Iconium with the
same opposition from the Jews who
incapable themselves of the work
stir up
the Gentiles against those who are performing it. As long as it was only
opposition
it was but a motive for perseverance; but
being warned in time of
an assault that was planned against them
they depart to Lystra and Derbe.
There
having healed a cripple
they excite the idolatrous respect of these
poor pagans; but
filled with horror
they turn them from their error by the
energy of the Holy Ghost-faithful to the testimony of their God. Hither also
the Jews follow them. Now
if man will not ally himself with the idolatry of
the heart
and accept exaltation from men
the power of his testimony
which
they began by admiring as long as they thought they could elevate man and
acquire importance through their flatteries being accepted
ends by exciting
the hatred of their hearts. The Jews bring this hatred into action and stir up
the people
who leave Paul for dead. But he rises up and re-enters the city
remaining tranquilly there another day
and on the morrow he goes with Barnabas
to Derbe.
Afterwards they revisit the cities through which they had passed
and
at Lystra
Iconium
and Antioch
they confirm the disciples in the faith
and
teach them that they must pass through tribulation to inherit the kingdom. They
choose elders for them; and passing through some other cities to the place
where they had disembarked
they return to Antioch
from whence they had been
commended to God for the work
causing great joy to the disciples there in that
the door of faith was opened to the Gentiles. This is the first formal mission
among the Gentiles where assemblies are formed
elders appointed by the apostles
and the hostility of the Jews to the grace of God
outside their nation and
independently of their law
is distinctly marked. The word assumes a positive
character among the Gentiles
and the energy of the Holy Ghost displays itself
to this end
constituting and forming them into assemblies
establishing local
rulers in them
outside and independently of the action of the apostles and
assembly at Jerusalem
and the obligation of the law which was still maintained
there.
A question concerning this (that is
whether it could be
allowed) is soon raised at Antioch. It is no longer the opposition of the Jews
hostile to the gospel
but the bigotry of those who had embraced it
desiring
to impose the law on the converted Gentiles. But the grace of God provides for
this difficulty also.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Acts》
Acts 14
Chapter Contents
Paul and Barnabas at Iconium. (1-7) A cripple healed at
Lystra
The people would have sacrificed to Paul and Barnabas. (8-18) Paul
stoned at Lystra
The churches visited again. (19-28)
Commentary on Acts 14:1-7
(Read Acts 14:1-7)
The apostles spake so plainly
with such evidence and
proof of the Spirit
and with such power; so warmly
and with such concern for
the souls of men; that those who heard them could not but say
God was with
them of a truth. Yet the success was not to be reckoned to the manner of their
preaching
but to the Spirit of God who used that means. Perseverance in doing
good
amidst dangers and hardships
is a blessed evidence of grace. Wherever
God's servants are driven
they should seek to declare the truth. When they
went on in Christ's name and strength
he failed not to give testimony to the
word of his grace. He has assured us it is the word of God
and that we may
venture our souls upon it. The Gentiles and Jews were at enmity with one
another
yet united against Christians. If the church's enemies join to destroy
it
shall not its friends unite for its preservation? God has a shelter for his
people in a storm; he is
and will be their Hiding-place. In times of
persecution
believers may see cause to quit a spot
though they do not quit
their Master's work.
Commentary on Acts 14:8-18
(Read Acts 14:8-18)
All things are possible to those that believe. When we
have faith
that most precious gift of God
we shall be delivered from the
spiritual helplessness in which we were born
and from the dominion of sinful
habits since formed; we shall be made able to stand upright and walk cheerfully
in the ways of the Lord. When Christ
the Son of God
appeared in the likeness
of men
and did many miracles
men were so far from doing sacrifice to him
that they made him a sacrifice to their pride and malice; but Paul and
Barnabas
upon their working one miracle
were treated as gods. The same power
of the god of this world
which closes the carnal mind against truth
makes
errors and mistakes find easy admission. We do not learn that they rent their
clothes when the people spake of stoning them; but when they spake of
worshipping them; they could not bear it
being more concerned for God's honour
than their own. God's truth needs not the services of man's falsehood. The
servants of God might easily obtain undue honours if they would wink at men's
errors and vices; but they must dread and detest such respect more than any
reproach. When the apostles preached to the Jews
who hated idolatry
they had
only to preach the grace of God in Christ; but when they had to do with the
Gentiles
they must set right their mistakes in natural religion. Compare their
conduct and declaration with the false opinions of those who think the worship
of a God
under any name
or in any manner
is equally acceptable to the Lord
Almighty. The most powerful arguments
the most earnest and affectionate
addresses
even with miracles
are scarcely enough to keep men from absurdities
and abominations; much less can they
without special grace
turn the hearts of
sinners to God and to holiness.
Commentary on Acts 14:19-28
(Read Acts 14:19-28)
See how restless the rage of the Jews was against the
gospel of Christ. The people stoned Paul
in a popular tumult. So strong is the
bent of the corrupt and carnal heart
that as it is with great difficulty that
men are kept back from evil on one side
so it is with great ease they are
persuaded to evil on the other side. If Paul would have been Mercury
he might
have been worshipped; but if he will be a faithful minister of Christ
he shall
be stoned
and thrown out of the city. Thus men who easily submit to strong
delusions
hate to receive the truth in the love of it. All who are converted
need to be confirmed in the faith; all who are planted need to be rooted.
Ministers' work is to establish saints as well as to awaken sinners. The grace
of God
and nothing less
effectually establishes the souls of the disciples.
It is true
we must count upon much tribulation
but it is encouragement that
we shall not be lost and perish in it. The Person to whose power and grace the
converts and the newly-established churches are commended
clearly was the Lord
Jesus
"on whom they had believed." It was an act of worship. The
praise of all the little good we do at any time
must be ascribed to God; for
it is He who not only worketh in us both to will and to do
but also worketh
with us to make what we do successful. All who love the Lord Jesus
will
rejoice to hear that he has opened the door of faith wide
to those who were
strangers to him and to his salvation. And let us
like the apostles
abide
with those who know and love the Lord.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Acts》
Acts 14
Verse 9
[9] The
same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him
and perceiving that he had
faith to be healed
He had faith to be healed — He felt the power of God in his soul; and thence knew it was sufficient
to heal his body also.
Verse 11
[11] And when the people saw what Paul had done
they lifted up their voices
saying in the speech of Lycaonia
The gods are come down to us in the likeness
of men.
The gods are come down — Which the heathens supposed they frequently did; Jupiter especially. But
how amazingly does the prince of darkness blind the minds of them that believe
not! The Jews would not own Christ's Godhead
though they saw him work
numberless miracles. On the other hand
the heathens seeing mere men work one
miracle
were for deifying them immediately.
Verse 13
[13] Then
the priest of Jupiter
which was before their city
brought oxen and garlands
unto the gates
and would have done sacrifice with the people.
The priest of Jupiter — Whose temple and image were just without the gate of the city
brought
garlands - To put on the victims
and bulls - The usual offerings to Jupiter.
Verse 14
[14]
Which when the apostles
Barnabas and Paul
heard of
they rent their clothes
and ran in among the people
crying out
They sprang in among the people
crying out — As in a fire
or other sudden and great danger.
Verse 15
[15] And saying
Sirs
why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions
with you
and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the
living God
which made heaven
and earth
and the sea
and all things that are
therein:
To turn from these vanities — From worshipping any but the true God. He does not deign to call them
gods; unto the living God - Not like these dead idols; who made the heaven and
the earth
the sea - Each of which they supposed to have its own gods.
Verse 16
[16] Who
in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
Who in times past — He
prevents their objection
"But if these things are so
we should have
heard the in from our fathers." Suffered - An awful judgment
all nations
- The multitude of them that err does not turn error into truth
to walk in
their own ways - The idolatries which they had chosen.
Verse 17
[17]
Nevertheless he left not himself without witness
in that he did good
and gave
us rain from heaven
and fruitful seasons
filling our hearts with food and
gladness.
He left not himself without witness — For the heathens had always from God himself a testimony both of his
existence and of his providence; in that he did good - Even by punishments he
testifies of himself; but more peculiarly by benefits; giving rain - By which
air
earth
and sea
are
as it were
all joined together; from heaven - The
seat of God; to which St. Paul probably pointed while he spoke
filling the
body with food
the soul with gladness.
Verse 19
[19] And
there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium
who persuaded the
people
and
having stoned Paul
drew him out of the city
supposing he had
been dead.
Who persuaded the multitude — Moved with equal ease either to adore or murder him.
Verse 20
[20]
Howbeit
as the disciples stood round about him
he rose up
and came into the
city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
But as the disciples stood round — Probably after sunset. The enraged multitude would scarce have suffered
it in the day time: he rose and went into the city - That he should be able to
do this
just after he had been left for dead
was a miracle little less than a
resurrection from the dead. Especially considering the manner wherein the
Jewish malefactors were stoned. The witnesses first threw as large a stone as
they could lift
with all possible violence upon his head
which alone was
sufficient to dash the skull in pieces. All the people then joined
as long as
any motion or token of life remained.
Verse 23
[23] And
when they had ordained them elders in every church
and had prayed with
fasting
they commended them to the Lord
on whom they believed.
When they had ordained them presbyters in
every Church — Out of those who were themselves but newly
converted. So soon can God enable even a babe in Christ to build up others in
the common faith: they commended them to the Lord - An expression implying
faith in Christ
as well as love to the brethren.
Verse 25
[25] And
when they had preached the word in Perga
they went down into Attalia:
Perga and Attalia were cities of Pamphylia.
Verse 26
[26] And
thence sailed to Antioch
from whence they had been recommended to the grace of
God for the work which they fulfilled.
Recommended to the grace — Or favour
of God
for the work which they had fulfilled - This shows
the nature and design of that laying on of hands
which was mentioned Acts 13:3.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on
Acts》
Chapter 14. Prosperity and Adversity of
Missionaries
Enter the
Kingdom of God
Go Through Many Hardships
I. Work in
Iconium
II. In Lystra
and Derbe
III. Keep on
Preaching the Good News with Wound
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》