_And it came to pass in Iconium_ Whither Paul and Barnabas were forced to retire from Antioch; _that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews_ To whom they were still disposed to make the first offer of the gospel: for though the Jews at Antioch had used them cruelly, yet they would no... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the unbelieving Jews_ Who were greatly provoked at the growing success of the gospel, and studied all they could to put a stop to its progress; _stirred up the Gentiles_ The idolatrous Gentiles, the heathen inhabitants of the place; _and made their minds evil affected_ Greek, εκακωσαν τας ψυχας... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when there was an assault made_ Or was about to be made; _both of the Gentiles, and the Jews_ Who, though generally at enmity with one another, yet were united against the Christians, as Herod and Pontius Pilate, the Pharisees and Sadducees, against Christ. If the churches enemies can unite for... [ Continue Reading ]
_And there sat_, &c. To the general account of the apostle's labours given above, the historian here subjoins a particular relation of some memorable events which happened at Lystra. _There sat a man impotent in his feet_ Disabled, as the word is, to that degree, that it was impossible he should set... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when the people_ Who were present when this wonderful cure was wrought; _saw what Paul had done_ By merely speaking a word, being all in raptures of astonishment; _they lifted up their voices_ In loud acclamations; _saying, The gods are come down_ Which the heathen supposed they frequently did,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the priest of Jupiter_ Who was esteemed the tutelar deity of that place, and whose statue stood just without the gate; _brought oxen_, or _bulls_ rather, _and garlands_ To put on the victims; the usual offerings to Jupiter; _to the gates_ Of the place where Paul and Barnabas were; and _would h... [ Continue Reading ]
_There came_, &c. The sacred historian now proceeds to give us a remarkable instance of the fickleness of the multitude. Soon after Paul and Barnabas had put a stop to that undue respect which the people at Lystra would have shown them, on account of the above-mentioned miraculous cure which they ha... [ Continue Reading ]
_Howbeit, as the disciples stood round_ For there were some here at Lystra that became disciples, having found the mean between deifying the apostles and rejecting them. And though Paul's enemies left him for dead, yet these would not leave him, but _stood round about_ his body, having courage to ow... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when they had preached, and taught many_ Namely, at Derbe; and, it seems also, in Galatia and Phrygia: see Colossians 4:13. Greek, μαθητευσαντες ικανους, _having made many disciples; they returned again to Lystra_, &c. Being doubtless directed so to do by the Spirit; _confirming the souls of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when they had ordained elders_ Or, _presbyters_, termed επισκοπους, _bishops_, or _overseers, Acts 20:28_; _in every church_ Out of those who were themselves but lately converted. So soon can God enable even a babe in Christ to build up others in the common faith; _and prayed with fasting_ That... [ Continue Reading ]
_After they had passed through Pisidia_, &c. Paul and Barnabas having, on their return from Phrygia and Galatia, visited all the cities of Lycaonia and Pisidia, where they had formerly planted churches, _they came_ at length _to_ Perga, in _Pamphylia_ Where they spent some time in preaching the word... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when they had gathered the church together_ It is probable the Christians at Antioch were more than ordinarily met, or could meet, in one place; but on this occasion they called together the leading persons of them, particularly the ministers and deacons, here termed _the church_, as the heads... [ Continue Reading ]