Acts 14ESV
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Acts14

English Standard Version

1 the in such a a of .

2 the the their the .

3 they for a , speaking the , bore to the of , to be .

4 the of the were ; the some the .

5 an was by , , to them to ,

6they of it and , of , to the ,

7and they to .

8 there could not his . He and had .

9 to . And , at he to be made ,

10 in a , . he began .

11 when the had , they , in , The have in the of !

12 they , , , the .

13 the of , temple at the to the , the and to the .

14 when the of it, they and the , ,

15 , are you these ? , of like with , and we good , that you should a , the the the that is .

16 the to in their .

17 he did , for he did by from , your with .

18 with they the to .

19 , and the , they him out the , that was .

20 when the , he rose and , on the he .

21 they had to had , they to to ,

22 the of the , them to in the , saying of .

23 when had for them in , and they to the they had .

24 they passed and .

25 when they had the , they ,

26and from they , they had to the of the they had .

27 when they the , they that had , he had a of to the .

28 they the .

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 14.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: 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).

vv1-7

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.

vv8-18

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.

vv19-28

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.

Cross References

Acts 14

Paul's autobiographical reflection confirming he was stoned once, which occurred here at Lystra.

Supported by JFB

v6Matthew 10:23thematic

Fulfills Christ's command to flee to another city when persecuted rather than seeking unnecessary death.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v10Acts 3:6-8thematic

Miraculous verbal and physical parallel to Peter's healing of the lifelong temple cripple.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v192 Timothy 3:11thematic

Paul recalls his specific persecutions in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra in his final epistle.

Supported by JFB

v15Acts 10:26thematic

Parallels Peter's absolute refusal of human worship, declaring that he too is only a man.

Supported by JFB

v17Romans 1:20thematic

The theological basis for Paul's argument that creation leaves the heathen without excuse.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v2Acts 14:19thematic

Shows the relentless hostility of the Jews who traveled from Antioch to stone Paul.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB

v14Acts 14:4thematic

Confirms that Barnabas is counted as an apostle here alongside Paul.

Supported by Matthew Poole