FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY (CONTINUED) 1-7. Paul and Barnabas at Iconium. The gospel meets with great success among both Jews and Gentiles in this populous city, and miracles are wrought in confirmation of the faith.... [ Continue Reading ]
The first persecution at Iconium, which probably took the form of arraigning the apostles before the magistrates, failed. Accordingly the second persecution (Acts 14:5) took the form of a popular tumult. Acts 14:2 reads thus in D, 'But the rulers of the synagogue of the Jews raised a persecution aga... [ Continue Reading ]
For the importance of miracles as a sign of apostleship, see 2 Corinthians 12:12; Romans 15:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE APOSTLES] The name is here first given to Paul and Barnabas: see on Acts 13:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
LYSTRA AND DERBE, CITIES OF LYCAONIA] Lystra (like Antioch) was a Roman colony, founded by Augustus, 6 b.c. Its official language was Latin. It lay 18 m. SSW. of Iconium. Derbe lay about 30 m. SE. of Lystra. Lystra and Derbe are correctly described as Lycaonian cities, in distinction from Antioch, w... [ Continue Reading ]
A CRIPPLE] Probably this man had learnt from the Jews the worship of the true God (D says that he was 'in the fear of God'), and consequently he had received some preparation for the gospel message. The circumstances and effect of this miracle are like those of the miracle worked by Peter and John,... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE SPEECH OF LYCAONIA] This explains why the apostles did not protest against the proposals at the time. They appear to have gone home in entire ignorance of the construction which the people had placed upon the miracle. THE GODS ARE COME DOWN] The less educated or more credulous heathen at this... [ Continue Reading ]
The majestic appearance of Barnabas caused him to be identified with the chief god (Zeus) corresponding to the Roman Jupiter. The insignificant stature of Paul (2 Corinthians 10:10), and his gift of eloquence, suggested his identification with Hermes (the Roman Mercury). Hermes was the god of eloque... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH WAS BEFORE THEIR CITY] i.e. whose temple was before the city. Unto the gates] or 'porches.' It is difficult to decide where the sacrifice took place, whether at the porch of the apostles' house, or at the gates of the city, or at the gates of the temple. Perhaps the first is favoured by the st... [ Continue Reading ]
RENT THEIR CLOTHES] in horror at the blasphemy: cp. Matthew 26:65. RAN IN] RV 'sprang forth.'... [ Continue Reading ]
OF LIKE PASSIONS] i.e. of like nature. VANITIES] i.e. vain gods.... [ Continue Reading ]
GAVE US RAIN] RV 'gave you rains.' There was great scarcity of water in Lycaonia, owing to a deficient rainfall.... [ Continue Reading ]
PERSUADED THE PEOPLE] The fickleness of the Lycaonians is reflected on by more than one Greek author, and perhaps St. Paul alludes to it in the Epistle to the Galatians (Galatians 1:6; Galatians 3:1; Galatians 4:15, etc.).... [ Continue Reading ]
There is no reason to suppose a miracle here: cp. Acts 20:10. Having at Lystra to deal with pure heathens, and not as usual with persons influenced by Judaism, St. Paul bases his teaching upon Natural Religion. The three main truths of Natural Religion according to him are, (1) God's Unity, (2) His... [ Continue Reading ]
TO LYSTRA] thus showing remarkable perseverance and courage.... [ Continue Reading ]
'VISIT TO DERBE, AND RETURN JOURNEY TO ANTIOCH OF SYRIA. Derbe, or Claudio-Derbe, where the work of the apostles seems to have been very successful, was a small Lycaonian town on the extreme boundary of the Roman province of Galatia. A convert of this city named Gaius is mentioned (Acts 20:4).... [ Continue Reading ]
CONFIRMING] exhorting to steadfastness, so much needed by the fickle Galatians.... [ Continue Reading ]
ELDERS] lit. 'presbyters.' We have a right to infer from this passage that wherever the apostles established a church, they established also a definite ministry. Presbyters only are mentioned, but it is to be presumed that there were also deacons to assist them. It is somewhat remarkable that St. Pa... [ Continue Reading ]
ATTALIA] the port of Perga.... [ Continue Reading ]
ANTIOCH] They had been absent about 18 months.... [ Continue Reading ]
furnishes the first example of a missionary meeting. It was a meeting of the whole Church, not of a few enthusiasts.... [ Continue Reading ]