Acts 14:18

And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. AND WITH THESE SAYINGS SCARCE RESTRAINED THEY THE PEOPLE, THAT THEY HAD NOT DONE SACRIFICE UNTO THEM. In spite of this, and of the apostle Peter's repudiation of all such undue honours (see the note at ), how soon did idolatrous tendencies begin to show themselves in the Christian Church, at length to be systematized and enjoined in the Church of Rome! The minds of the Lycaonians being poisoned by Jews from Antioch and Iconium, a popular tumult is excited, and Paul, being stoned and drawn out of the city, is left for dead. Recovering, however he withdraws with Barnabas to Derbe (14:19-21)...

− 18._When they had said thus. _Luke said before that they did not only use words, but they ran also with violence into the multitude. − (39) Now he addeth, that the fury of the people was scarce appeased − (40) with that vehemency, whereby appeareth how mad and untamed the heat of the world is toward idolatry. For if they believe the [them] gods, why do they not believe their word, whereby they put from them false honor? But all idolaters are sick of this disease, that they are oftentimes ready to shake off the yoke, unless religion be subject to their will and pleasure. Wherefore, no marvel if the prophets say oftentimes that men are carried into the blind affection of superstitions, even as brute beasts are carried into their lust. “ Sed etiam cure impetu irruisse in turbam,” but also rushed impetuously among the multitude.

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 hono...

AND WITH THESE SAYINGS - With these arguments. SCARCE RESTRAINED THEY THE PEOPLE - They were so fully satisfied that the gods had appeared, and were so full of zeal to do them honor....

EXPOSITION ACTS 14:1 _Entered _for _went both, _A.V.; _Jews _for _the Jews, _A.V.; _and _for _and also, _A.V.; Greeks for _the Greeks, _A.V. Observe how in every case Greeks are found attending the synagogue. SO SPAKE, etc. This illustrates the statement in Romans 10:17, that "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." ACTS 14:2 _The Jews that were disobedient _for _the unbelieving Jews, _A.V. and T.R.; _stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them, _etc., for _stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds, _etc., A.V. The Jews that were disobedien

AND WITH THESE SAYINGS,.... Concerning themselves, and concerning the living God, his creation of all things, and his providential goodness: SCARCE RESTRAINED THEY THE PEOPLE, THAT THEY HAD NOT DONE SACRIFICE UNTO THEM; so resolute were they upon it, that it was with great difficulty that they persuaded them from it: in four of Beza's manuscripts, and in some other copies, it is added, "but everyone went to his own house", c....

CHAPTER 14 _ 1. The work in Iconium and the persecution of the Apostles (Acts 14:1)._ 2. In Derbe and Lystra; the Impotent Man healed (Acts 14:7). 3. The Stoning of Paul and further ministries (Acts 14:19). 4. The Return to Antioch (Acts 14:25). Iconium was a Phrygian town, bordering on Lycaonia. Here again the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles. They abode there a long time, and in spite of opposition and persecution they spoke with much boldness the Word of God. Signs and wonders were also done by their hands. When their lives were threatened by the unbelieving Jews and Gentiles, they fled to Lystra and Der

LYSTRA. Lystra, 25 miles SW. of Iconium, 10 miles off the trade route, in a secluded glen. Lystra and Derbe were the two cities of the Lycaonian region of Galatia; Roman influence was strong there, and Lystra was a Roman colony. The cure of a lame man in connexion with the preaching leads to serious consequences. The incident reminds us forcibly of Acts 3:2; in both cases the lameness is congenital, and the man leaps. In this case, however, faith plays the part it does in the Gospels; it is awakened apparently by Paul's preaching. Of the language of Lycaonia nothing is now known; _the_ mention of it is like a mist over the whole story. It is not asserted that Paul and Barnabas understood that language; but we know that Greek was currently spoken in the district. The recognition of the missionaries as divine beings (cf....

ON TO ICONIUM (Acts 14:1-7)...

WITH THESE SAYINGS. saying these things. SCARCE. with difficulty. Greek. _molis._ RESTRAINED. made to cease. Greek. _katapauo._ Only here and Hebrews 4:4; Hebrews 4:8; Hebrews 4:10....