Acts 13:3

This was the apostolic custom to fast at ordinations: see Acts 14:23.

Acts 13:4 to Acts 15:35; First Missionary Journey and Council of Jerusalem. During this journey St. Paul conclusively established his right to the title of Apostle, (1) by the success of his labours, Acts 13:49; Acts 14:1; Acts 14:21; (2) by signs and wonders, Acts 13:11; Acts 14:3; Acts 14:10 and (3) by the foundation and organisation of churches, Acts 14:23. It will be noticed that St. Paul takes the lead, and soon becomes a more prominent figure than Barnabas. Although upon a mission to the Gentiles, St. Paul always addresses the Jews first (Acts 13:46).

Acts 13:4. Cyprus. This island was familiar ground to Barnabas (Acts 4:36). It contained a large Jewish population, to which the apostles mainly confined their attention (Acts 13:5). The principal town was Salamis, but the seat of government was Paphos (see Acts 13:6). Cyprus was at this time a senatorial province, and the governor is therefore correctly described as proconsul (Acts 13:7). The principal exports of Cyprus were copper and timber. The deity chiefly worshipped was Aphrodite (Venus). Paphos, the centre of her worship, had an evil reputation for laxity of morals.