Acts 14:3

Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. LONG TIME THEREFORE ABODE THEY - because, in spite of the opposition, their success was so great; SPEAKING BOLDLY IN THE LORD, [ epi (G1909) too (G3588) Kurioo (G2962): cf. Luke 4:4, ep' (G1909) artoo (G740)] - meaning, 'in dependence' or 'in reliance on the Lord;' that is, the Lor...

− 3._A long time. _Luke declareth here, that Paul and Barnabas did not depart the city so soon as they saw some set against them, for when he saith that they behaved themselves boldly, he giveth us an inkling − (7) that there was cause of fear offered them. Whence we gather that they stood stoutly, and that through rare constancy and courage they counted all dangers as nothing, until they were compelled by violence to depart to another place. This clause, επι κυριω, may be expounded diversely, either that they behaved themselves stoutly in the Lord’s cause, or that they trusted to his grace, and were thereby encouraged. I have followed that which was more common, that they behaved themselves freely and boldly in the Lord, that is, being holpen not by their own strength, but by his grace. He showeth immediately after, after what sort they were encouraged in the Lord; to

1-7 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 shel...

Verse Acts 14:3. _LONG TIME THEREFORE ABODE THEY_] Because they had great success, therefore they continued a long time, gaining many converts, and building up those who had believed, in their most holy faith; notwithstanding the opposition they met with, both from the unbelieving Jews and heathens. _SPEAKING BOLDLY_] παρρησιαζομενοι, Having _great liberty of_ _speech_, a copious and commanding eloquence, springing from a consciousness of the truth which they preached. _THE WORD OF HIS GRACE_] The Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the _doctrine of God's grace, mercy_, or _favour_ to mankind. _AND GRANTED SIGNS AND WONDERS TO BE DONE_] For no apostle could work a miracle by himself; nor was any sign or wonder wrought even by the greatest apostle, but by an especial grant or dispensation of

LONG TIME THEREFORE - It seems probable that there were here no forcible or public measures to expel them, as there had been at Antioch Acts 13:50, and they therefore regarded it as their duty to remain. God granted them here also great success, which was the main reason for their continuing a long time. Persecution and opposition may be attended often with signal success to the gospel. SPAKE BOLDLY IN THE LORD - In the cause of the Lord Jesus, or in his name and by his authority. Perhaps, also, the expression includes the idea of their trusting in the Lord. WHICH GAVE TESTIMONY - Bore witness to the truth of their message by working miracles, etc. Compare Mark 16:20. This was evidently the Lord Jes

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

LONG TIME THEREFORE ABODE THEY,.... At Iconium, undaunted and not discouraged, at the treatment they met with: but continued, SPEAKING BOLDLY IN THE LORD; using great freedom of speech, and showing great courage and intrepidity of mind; speaking out, without fear, the doctrines of the Gospel, in the name of the Lord, and depending upon strength, assistance, and support, from him: WHICH GAVE TESTIMONY UNTO THE WORD OF HIS GRACE; the Gospel, so called, because it is a publication of the grace and favour of God to the sons of men; in the choice of some of them to everlasting life, in the mission of his Son to redeem them, in the justification of them by his righteousness, and in the forgiveness of them through his blood, in the regeneration of them by his Spirit, in adopting them into his family, and making them heirs of eternal life; and because it is a means of implanting his grace in t...

ACTS 14:2-7 The Western text of these verses adds a number of details that serve, among other things, to smooth away what, in the ordinary text, is a seeming lack of coherence between verses Acts 14:2 and Acts 14:3 (where mention is made of the opposition of the Jews: therefore the apostles remained for a long time). According to codex Bezae (with support in part from syrhmg and copG67) the passage runs as follows (italics mark the chief additions and changes): “But _the chiefs of the synagogue of the Jews and the rulers of the synagogue_ [syrhmg omits “of the synagogue,” thus identify...

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

ICONIUM. From Antioch to Iconium was a journey of about thirty hours, mostly on a new Roman road. It was the frontier city of Phrygia, but was now incorporated in the Roman province of Galatia. Its magistrates are local, not Roman. ACTS 14:1. The mission proceeds in Iconium just as at Antioch; the synagogue, with its mixture of elements, is the scene, and the result is the attachment to the cause of many of each nationality. Acts 14:2. disobedient: AV UNBELIEVING; either will do: _cf._ Romans 1:5, obedience of faith. Acts 14:3. the word of his grace: cf....