CHAPTER 14

(A.D. 45)

ICONIUM

¹And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together (Paul and Barnabas) into the Synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke (presents them continuing with their custom of going to the Jews first), that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed (they accepted Christ).

²But the unbelieving Jews (as obvious, some of the Jews didnt believe) stirred up the Gentiles (means that these Gentiles were not of the ruling class), and made their minds evil af fected against the brethren (the unbelieving Jews used any lie they could tell).

³Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord (the unbelieving Gentiles who were stirred up by the unbelieving Jews did not have immediate sway, as those Gentiles in the previous city; so Paul and Barnabas were able to minister there for some weeks), which gave testimony unto the Word of His Grace (this Grace speaks of Gods unmerited favor in sending Jesus to save us from our sins), and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands (healings, miracles, and deliverances).

⁴But the multitude of the city was divided (though Grace be its keynote, the Message causes dissension and disrupts families, communities and nations): and part held with the Jews, and part with the Apostles (proclaims the extent of this division).

⁵And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them (constitutes their plan, but with Paul and Barnabas leaving before it was put into motion),

LYSTRA

⁶They were ware (made aware) of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lies round about (doesnt mean that Paul and Barnabas were afraid, but that these were the instructions of the Lord):

⁷And there (Lystra and Derbe) they preached the Gospel (preaching is the method chosen by God to reach people, irrespective of their locality or circumstances).

⁸And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mothers womb, who never had walked:

⁹The same heard Paul speak (seems that Paul was preaching in the town square): who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed (presents Paul being drawn to this man by the Holy Spirit, because the man apparently believed what he heard Paul saying about Christ; evidently Paul referred to Christ in his Message, not only as the Saviour, but the Healer as well),

¹⁰Said with a loud voice (Paul spoke loudly), Stand upright on your feet (this was no doubt in front of a great crowd). And he leap ed and walked (proclaims him being healed immediately).

¹¹And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia (presents their native language), The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men (Greek Mythology pointed to many gods, and their coming down to Earth in human form).

¹²And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius (presents their two principal gods), because he (Paul) was the chief speaker.

¹³Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city (speaks of the temple of Jupiter, which was constructed just outside the gates), brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people (spoke of offering up the animals and actually worshiping Paul and Barnabas).

¹⁴Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of(probably means the people were speaking in their native language, so the Apostles at first did not know what was happening), they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out (this was to show their disapproval of what was happening),

¹⁵And saying, Sirs, why do you these things? (Why do people in India bathe in the filth of the Ganges River, thinking that such will guarantee them some type of eternal life? Why do many in Africa smear cow dung over their bodies, working themselves into a frenzy as someone beats a drum?) We also are men of like passions with you (Paul and Barnabas disavowed the ridiculous claims of these people that they are gods), and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God (other than the Living God Who can only be found through Jesus Christ, all is vanity), which made Heaven, and Earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

¹⁶Who in times past (before the Cross) suffered all nations to walk in their own ways (means that He did not destroy them despite their evil ways, as abominable as they were).

¹⁷Nevertheless 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 (however powerful Creation may be as a witness, it is not a Saviour; while it could point men toward God, it within itself could not save men; despite that witness, they died eternally lost).

¹⁸And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people (the people were still somewhat fearful of not heeding Paul and Barnabas), that they had not done sacrifice unto them (the people were restrained at the last moment).

PERSECUTION

¹⁹And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people (this evidently took place some days after the situation concerning the proposed Sacrifice; these Jews persuaded the people to turn against Paul and Barnabas), and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead (they considered Paul to be the leader, with Barnabas, it seems, being spared from the stoning; Paul was near death).

²⁰Howbeit, as the Disciples stood round about him (speaks of those who had come to Christ in the last few days or weeks), he rose up (indicates that however serious the situation was, he was instantly healed), and came into the city (means that Pauls detractors had now left, thinking he was dead): and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe (presents a distance of about forty miles).

²¹And when they had preached the Gospel to that city (proclaims their Evangelism not slowing at all despite the persecution), and had taught many (preaching had brought them to Christ, and now they needed to be taught), they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch (they were led by the Holy Spirit to go back to these places of their persecution; as such, Satan would not be able to kill them),

²²Confirming the souls of the Disciples (pertained to the new converts in these areas), and exhorting them to continue in the Faith (it is not he who begins, but he who finishes), and that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God (quite a different Message than that being presently proposed).

²³And when they had ordained them Elders (Preachers) in every Church (by the help of the Holy Spirit, a Pastor from the local congregation was selected to lead the local flock), and had prayed with fasting (means that Paul, Barnabas, and others sought the Lord earnestly as to His Will in these matters), they commend ed them to the Lord (seeking the Lords Blessings on them after the appointment), on Whom they believed (believing that He would lead and guide them, which He did!).

THE HOME CHURCH

²⁴And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia (Pamphylia is southwest of Pisidia).

²⁵And when they had preached the Word in Perga, they went down into Attalia (there is no record that they ministered in Attalia):

²⁶And thence sailed to Antioch (the home Church), from whence they had been recommended to the Grace of God for the work which they fulfilled (the Holy Spirit says here that Paul and Barnabas did exactly what the Lord wanted them to do regarding this Missionary journey).

THE REPORT

²⁷And when they were come, and had gathered the Church together (at Antioch), they rehearsed all that God had done with them (related it all to the congregation), and how He had opened the door of Faith unto the Gentiles (how receptive the Gentiles were).

²⁸And there (Antioch, Syria) they abode long time with the Disciples (with the congregation, possibly as long as two years).