Acts 14

1 And it befelled at Iconium, that they entered together into the synagogue of Jews [Forsooth it was done at Iconium, that together they entered into the synagogue of Jews], and spake, so that [a] full great multitude of Jews and Greeks believed.

2 But the Jews that were unbelieveful, raised persecution, and stirred to wrath the souls of heathen men against the brethren [raised persecution, and to wrath stirred the souls of heathen men against the brethren]; but the Lord gave soon peace.

3 Therefore they dwelled much time, and did trustily in the Lord [doing trustily in the Lord], bearing witnessing to the word of his grace, giving signs and wonders to be made by the hands of them.

4 But the multitude of the city was parted, and some were with the Jews, and some with the apostles.

5 But when there was made an assault of the heathen men and the Jews, with their princes, to torment and to stone them [to punish with despisings, or false blamings, and to stone them],

6 they understood, and fled together to the cities of Lycaonia, and Lystra, and Derbe, and into all the country about [and all the country in compass].

7 And they preached there the gospel, and all the multitude was moved together in the teaching of them. Paul and Barnabas dwelt at Lystra.

8 And a man at Lystra was sick in the feet, and had sat crooked from his mother's womb, which never had gone. [And some man at Lystra, sick in the feet, sat crooked from his mother's womb, the which never had gone.]

9 This heard Paul speaking; and Paul beheld him and saw that he had faith [the which beholding him, and seeing for he had faith], that he should be made safe,

10 and said with a great voice [said with great voice], Rise thou upright on thy feet. And he leaped, and walked.

11 And the people, when they had seen that that Paul did, reared their voice in Lycaonian tongue, and said [saying], Gods made like to men be come down to us.

12 And they called Barnabas Jupiter, and Paul Mercury, for he was leader of the word.

13 And the priest of Jupiter that was before the city, brought bulls and crowns before the gates, with peoples, and would have made sacrifice.

14 And when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this [Which thing, when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard], they rent their coats; and they skipped out among the people, and cried [crying],

15 and said [and saying], Men, what do ye this thing? and we be deadly men like [to] you, and show to you, that ye be converted from these vain things to the living God, that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that be in them;

16 which in generations passed suffered all folks to go into their own ways.

17 And yet he left not himself without witnessing in well-doing, for he gave rains from heaven, and times of bearing fruit, and full-filled your hearts with meat and gladness [full-filling with meat and gladness your hearts].

18 And they saying these things, scarcely assuaged the people, that they offered not to them.

19 But some Jews came over from Antioch and Iconium, and counseled the people, and stoned Paul, and drew him out of the city, and guessed that he was dead. [Forsooth some Jews came out from Antioch and Iconium, and, the companies sweetly stirred, they stoning Paul, drew out of the city, guessing him to be dead.]

20 But when [the] disciples were come about him, he rose, and went into the city; and in the day following he went forth with Barnabas into Derbe. [+Soothly when disciples compassed him/Soothly the disciples environing him, he rose and entered into the city; and the following day, he went forth with Barnabas into Derbe.]

21 And when they had preached to that city [And when they had evangelized to that city], and taught many, they turned again to Lystra, and Iconium, and to Antioch;

22 confirming the souls of the disciples, and admonishing, that they should dwell in the faith, and said [and saying], That by many tribulations it behooveth us to enter into the kingdom of heavens.

23 And when they had ordained priests to them by all cities, and had prayed with fastings, they betook them to the Lord, in whom they believed.

24 And they passed Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia; [And they passing Pisidia, came to Pamphylia;]

25 and they spake the word of the Lord in Perga, and came down into Italy. [and they speaking the word of the Lord in Perga, came down into Italy.]

26 And from thence they went by boat to Antioch, from whence they were taken to the grace of God, into the work that they filled [into the work that they fulfilled].

27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church, they told how great things God did with them [they told how many things God did with them], and that he had opened to heathen men the door of faith.

28 And they dwelled not a little time with the disciples. [Forsooth they dwelled a time not little with the disciples.]

Acts 14 Commentary

Chapter 14

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)

Verses 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.

Verses 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.

Verses 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.