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| 1 And it came to pass in Iconium that they together entered into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that there believed, both of Jews and Greeks, a great throng. |
Iconium – About 75 miles southeast of Antioch of Pisidia, on the border of Galatia. R4368:3, 3011:2, 3009:1
Great multitude – A large congregation of interested hearers. R1467:4
Of the Greeks – Jewish proselytes. R4368:3
Believed – Conversions to Christianity. R1467:4
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| 2 But, the unpersuaded Jews, roused up and provoked the souls of them of the nations against the brethren. |
Minds – Greek, psuche; souls, beings. E335
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| 3 A good while, therefore, tarried they, using boldness of speech [in dependence] upon the Lord, who was bearing witness unto his word of favour, granting signs and wonders to be coming to pass through their hands. |
Long time – Several months, because the many converts needed instruction. R4368:3, 1467:5
And granted signs – Greek, seemion; proofs or evidences. Recognized by Israelites indeed. D598
Endorsing their testimony by special miraculous gifts, probably healing mainly. R1467:5
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| 4 And the throng of the city was divided; and some indeed were with the Jews, while some were with the apostles. |
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| 5 But, when there took place an assault both of them of the nations and of the Jews, with their rulers, to maltreat and to stone them, |
Gentiles – Influenced by the chief Jews of the synagogue. R4368:6
Jews with their rulers – Represents the Lord's professed followers, who slander and misrepresent true followers. R4368:6
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| 6 They became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding country; |
And fled – "When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another." (Matt. 10:23) R3011:2, 4368:6, 2150:6, 1467:5
Lystra – About 20 miles southeast of Iconium. R4368:6
Capital of Wolfland. Its people were less civilized than other places visited. No synagogue was there and preaching was in the forum. R4369:1
The scene of an old traditional mythological event, perpetrated by a statue of Jupiter at the gate. R3011:3, 4369:2
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| 7 And, there, were they announcing the glad tidings. |
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| 8 And, a certain man in Lystra, impotent in his feet, was sitting,–lame from his mother's womb, who never had walked. |
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| 9 This man, hearkened unto Paul, as he was speaking,–who, looking steadfastly at him, and seeing he had faith to be made well, |
Faith to be healed – This miracle corresponded closely to the one wrought through Peter and John recorded in Acts 3:7,8. R1471:3
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| 10 Said, with a loud voice–Stand up on thy feet, erect! And he sprang up, and began to walk about. |
Stand upright – A thing he had never done before. R3011:3
Leaped and walked – The Lord witnessed to the teaching of Paul and Barnabas by a miracle, thus confirming their testimony, that the people might know they were his messengers. R1471:3
The gift of healing here illustrated vanished away, as foretold. (1 Cor. 13:8) R1998:2
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| 11 And, the multitudes, seeing what Paul had done, lifted up their voice, in the speech of Lycaonia–The gods, made like unto men, have come down unto us! |
Speech of Lycaonia – Not in Greek, which the missionaries did not understand. R4369:1
Gods are come down – The effect of the miracle upon the people was electrical. R3011:3
According to their traditions, Jupiter and Mercury once visited them and were refused, and the city punished. R4369:2, 3011:3
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| 12 And they went on to call Barnabas, Jupiter, and Paul, Mercury, seeing that, he, was the leader of discourse. |
Barnabas, Jupiter – The elder and more venerable looking of the two. R2150:6
Paul, Mercurius – In their tradition, Mercury was the orator, the speaker. R3011:3, 2150:6
Impliedly complimenting Paul's general brilliancy and vigor of manner or both. R4355:3
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| 13 Also, the priest of the Jupiter that was before the city, bringing bulls and garlands unto the gates, with the multitudes, would have offered sacrifice. |
Done sacrifice – Worshipping the messengers of the truth instead of its divine author. R1471:3
A temptation to the missionaries to receive homage for services. This is apt to come to all. If sacrifices were accepted it would of been a hypocrisy. R4369:2
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| 14 But the apostles Barnabas and Paul, hearing of it, rending asunder their own mantles, sprang forward amidst the multitude, crying aloud, |
Rent their clothes – A token of extreme disapproval. R1471:6
Crying out – Thereby setting a good example to the Lord's people when they are offered undue deference because of the truth. R3011:6
Barnabas and Paul did no more than their duty in resisting the homage as they did. R2151:1
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| 15 and saying–Men! Why, these things, are ye doing? We also, of like nature with you, are men, bringing you the good news, that from these vain things, ye should be turning unto a living God:–Who made heaven and the earth and the sea and all things therein; |
Why do ye these things? – They were prompt and emphatic in discouraging it. R1471:3, 2150:6
Peter reproved Cornelius from such worship. ( Acts 10:26) R144:3*
Of like passions – They were not infallible. Their weaknesses were not permitted to mar their work. R1526:3; F224
Imperfect, but keeping the "body under" (1 Cor. 9:27), in subjection to the new R2221:5, 3011:5, 1884:6
The apostolic office was not conferred because of human perfection. F224
Let us take to heart the lesson of promptness in resisting the devil's baits for our weak points. R2151:1
Some of the Church naturally are more fallen than others. SM11:3
The term saint does not signify perfection. R2987:4
From these vanities – Public teachers need especially to cultivate the grace of humility. R1471:6
They did not quote Scriptures, but spoke what the people could understand. R4369:3
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| 16 Who in the bygone generations suffered all the nations to be going on in their own ways,– |
Own ways – Untaught, unrestrained. R4369:4
Their opportunity will come afterwards. R33:5*
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| 17 Although, not without witness, he left himself, doing good, from heaven, upon you, giving rain and fruitful seasons, filling, with food and gladness, your hearts. |
Witness – The Apostle made use of this experience for a discourse. R2151:12
Evidences of his constant care, giving occasion for the gladness and appreciation of life. R4369:4
God has witnesses when needed. R781:4*
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| 18 Even these things, saying, scarcely restrained they the multitudes from offering sacrifice unto them. |
With these sayings – Of a great dispensational change having occurred; the Jewish age closing and the Gospel age opening. R1472:1
Only a brief extract of the discourse is given. R4369:4, 1472:1
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| 19 But there came thither, from Antioch and Iconium, Jews, and, persuading the multitudes, and stoning Paul, they dragged him outside the city, supposing him to be dead. |
Certain Jews – Zealous as Paul had been in opposition to the message. R4369:5
Persuaded the people – That the missionaries were impostors, the Jews probably aided by the priest of Jupiter who could easily lead the ignorant people in any wrong course, either to make gods of men, or in an opposite direction. R3012:3
Having stoned Paul – Who doubtless then remembered Stephen. R3012:4
The Lord will grant sufficient grace for us. R4369:6
Drew him out – Dragged him out of the city. R4369:5, 3012:3
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| 20 Howbeit, the disciples surrounding him, he rose up, and entered into the city. And, on the morrow, he went forth, with Barnabas, unto Derbe. |
Disciples – Some followers were made. R4369:5
Those that did hear and believe were very precious. R1472:1
He rose up – Miraculously revived. R2151:2, 4369:5
God gives special favors in the hour of need. R2009:2
The Lord raised Paul up, that he might yet further bear witness to the truth. R1472:1
Such a man with such a spirit was a force for good wherever he went. R4369:5
So with us; faith, courage, zeal, and determination will effect our ability to stand and withstand the difficulties of life, by the Lord's grace. R4369:6
God sometimes grants his "new creatures" special favors of an earthly sort in time of need, even though they do not ask for them. R2009:2, 3012:6
Came into the city – In a very quiet manner, so as not to re-arouse the mob. R3012:6
He departed – They did not stay to tantalize their persecutors and to invite a second stoning. (Matt. 10:23) R1472:4
To Derbe – A distance of 35 miles. R3012:6
Paul wisely determined to do no more public work at Lystra, which would only bring needless persecution upon disciples new in the faith. R4369:5
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| 21 Delivering the good news unto that city also, and making a good number of disciples, they returned unto Lystra, and unto Iconium, and unto Antioch,– |
Preached – Paul's indomitable will, plus some supernatural strength, enabled his quick recovery. R4369:5
Had taught many – Made many disciples. R4369:6
Returned again – Braving the dangers of return by the same way they went, to encourage the disciples. R4369:6, 3013:2, 2151:2, 781:5
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| 22 confirming the souls of the disciples, beseeching them to abide in the faith, and [declaring] that, through many tribulations, must we enter into the kingdom of God. |
Confirming the souls – In the faith and hope of the gospel, establishing them in the doctrine of Christ; to warn them against error and encourage them to steadfastness in persecution which would surely come. R1472:4
A necessary work for those called to holiness. R781:5
Much tribulation – Willingly endured for the sake of the truth. R4637:1, 2151:5; Q718:1
"Worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2 Cor. 4:17) R5696:4
Not that they would prosper in business and enter social circles, but "In the world ye shall have tribulation." (John 16:33) R4369:6, 5118:2, 5712:3, 199:4*
Because the world is traveling in the opposite direction to righteousness. R5218:2
The new nature can be developed, educated, crystallized, only through tests and fiery trials. R4326:1, 5817:6; CR215:5; 153:4; Q821:3
The way to glory must be a narrow way; and there must be something permitted to make it so. R4488:2, 5214:1, 5118:2
He that is not willing to have the Kingdom at such a cost is not worthy of the Kingdom. R4637:1
"All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Tim. 3:12) R5218:2, 5118:2
The painstaking "fine needlework" of Psalm 45:14. SM256:3
Well illustrated by the story of the emperor moth: saving from struggle is sometimes a mistaken kindness. F192
The difference between those who will get into the Kingdom through much tribulation and those of the Great Company who come through great tribulation, will be the way in which they have received the tribulation. CR153:4; 365:1; 52:6
If we have no trials we should learn patience in waiting for trials. Q715:4
Not all tribulation comes as part of the embroidery. SM256:3
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| 23 Moreover, appointing unto them by vote, in each assembly, elders, praying with fastings, they commended them unto the Lord on whom they had believed. |
They had ordained – Greek, kirotoneo; elected by stretching out the hand. No brother should assume public duties in the Church, as leader, without being thus elected. F276, F278; R5940:1, 5807:6; Q515:1
Appointed or authorized. R5940:1, 1890:3
One who serves, distributes, dispenses the truth of God's Word. Q519:3
The Church at Antioch had ordained Paul and Barnabas as their representatives and paid their expense. R5940:4; Q521:3
The leading churches all claim for their bishops apostolic authority to appoint elders without stretching the hand. Q811:2
Elders – Those older and more advanced in the knowledge of the truth who took general oversight of local congregations. R1523:5
Whose duty it was to take the oversight of the Lord's flock in their vicinity, to feed them with the truth, and guard them against the wolves in sheep's clothing. (Matt. 7:15) R1890:3, 1523:5
Includes evangelists, pastors, teachers, and prophets; public exponents. R5807:6; Q515:3
The Scriptural method of ordaining elders in all the churches is by congregational election, by hand vote. R5808:1
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| 24 And, passing through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia; |
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| 25 and, speaking in Perga the word, they came down unto Attalia; |
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| 26 and, from thence, they set sail for Antioch, whence they had been given up unto the favour of God for the work which they had fulfilled. |
For the work – The Antioch church did not ordain the Apostle Paul to be an Apostle, but to be their missionary; and he rendered reports to them. R5940:4; Q521:5
He traveled under auspices of Antioch Church with a letter of authorizations. R1720:2, 4369:6
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| 27 And, when they had arrived and gathered together the assembly, they began recounting how many things God had done with them, and that he had opened, unto the nations, a door of faith. |
Gathered the church – Gave them a report of the work done as their representatives. R1957:4
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| 28 And they spent no little time with the disciples. |
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