Acts 14:26

And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. AND THENCE SAILED TO ANTIOCH (touching tint at Seleucia), FROM WHENCE THEY HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED TO THE GRACE OF GOD ( ) FOR THE WORK WHICH THEY FULFILLED....

− 26._When they had been commended. _Luke might have said that they were ordained there to be the apostles of the Gentiles; but by a circuit of words − (65) he doth more plainly express that they were neither sent away of men, neither did they attempt any thing trusting to their own strength, but that their whole journey, together with the success, was committed to God, the author thereof. Therefore, their preaching was no man’s work, but a work of the grace of God. And the word _grace _is referred as well unto the power and efficacy of the Spirit, as also unto all the rest of the signs of favor; because all those gifts be free which God bestoweth upon his servants. And the sentence may be thus resolved, that they prayed God that he would show forth his grace to further the labors of his servants. − “ Verborum circuitu,” by a circumlocution....

19-28 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 en...

Verse Acts 14:26. _AND THENCE SAILED TO ANTIOCH_] This was Antioch in _Syria_; and to reach which, by sea, they were obliged to coast a part of the Mediterranean Sea, steering between _Cyprus_ and _Cilicia_; though they might have gone the whole journey by _land_. _WHENCE THEY HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED-FOR THE WORK WHICH THEY_ _FULFILLED._] The reader will recollect that it was from this Antioch they had been sent to preach the Gospel to the heathen in Asia Minor: see Acts 13:1; and that they _fulfilled_ that _work_: see in the same chapter, Acts 13:48; and the circumstantial account of their travels and preaching given in this chapter....

AND THENCE SAILED TO ANTIOCH - See the note at Acts 11:19. FROM WHENCE THEY HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED ... - Where they had been appointed to this missionary tour by the church, Acts 13:1. TO THE GRACE OF GOD - His favor and protection had been implored for them in their perilous undertaking. FOR THE WORK WHICH THEY FULFILLED - This shows conclusively: (1) That they had accomplished fully the work which was originally contemplated. It was strictly a missionary tour among the Gentiles. It was an important and hazardous enterprise, and was the first in which the church formally engaged. Hence, so much importance is attached to i

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 THENCE SAILED TO ANTIOCH,.... In Syria, FROM WHENCE THEY HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED TO THE GRACE OF GOD; by the prophets: from this place they first set out on their travels; here they were separated by the order of the Holy Ghost to the work of the ministry, and by them they were sent forth, after they had in prayer commended them to God, and to his grace to assist them, and succeed them, as well as to fit them FOR THE WORK WHICH THEY FULFILLED; that is, for the work of the ministry, for the preaching of the Gospel in several places; and which they had now gone through, and finished with great integrity and faithfulness, and with much success, though through many afflictions and persecutions....

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

CLOSE OF THE FIRST TOUR. The places already visited are now taken in the reverse order, but no further information is given about them. Acts 14:23. An appointment of elders is made (_cf._ Titus 1:5) in each church; the institution takes place in each case with prayer and fasting. The word translated appointed (AV ordained) denotes strictly a popular election by voting (_cf._ 2 Corinthians 8:19; _Didaché,_ xv. 1), though it may also be used of cases where there is no popular vote. The elder is in Titus also called bishop: he is a local functionary, with no duties except to his own church. In Acts 11:30 the elders at

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