Acts 14 Acts 14:1–7 Paul and Barnabas are persecuted from Iconium by the malice of the unbelieving Jews. Acts 14:8–18 At Lidstra they heal an impotent man, and refuse divine honours with abhorrence.

Iconium, a city in Lycaonia. They went both together; Paul and Barnabas, as they were wont to do, showing as great constancy in performing of their duty, as their enemies did obstinacy in persecuting them for it. So spake; with such evidence and demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

The unbelieving, or disobedient, Jews, who did not believe the truths or obey the precepts of the gospel, stirred up the Gentiles; urging, persuading, and pressing of them, who of themselves (though as yet ignorant of Christ, and his word) would not have been so cruel.

Long time therefore abode they, to strengthen the new converts against the opposition they met with in the way of Christ, willingly partaking with them in their afflictions for Christ’s sake. Speaking boldly; with great courage, and humble confidence, as knowing in whom they had believed.

Was divided; as it was about our Saviour and his doctrine, John 7:43. The apostles; Paul and Barnabas, who were called to be apostles, 1 Cor. 9:5–6.

Rulers, such as were called the chief men of the city, Acts 13:50. To use them despitefully; thus they that were called to the marriage of the king’s son, Matt. 22:6, entreated the servants despitefully.

And fled; the apostles did not flee so much to save their lives, as to husband their time best for the glory of God in other places; and this they were commanded to do, Matt. 10:23, When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another.

Thus was verified what St. Paul observed, Phil. 1:12, that all those things fell out unto the furtherance of the gospel, which spread the further for the scattering of the apostles and preachers of it; and thousands had not heard of Christ, if persecution had not driven the ministers of the gospel…

Such defects as are from nature, are incurable by art, and only to be helped immediately by the God of nature. Who never had walked; this is observed and enlarged upon, to make the miracle the more appear to be the only work of God: Acts 3:2.

This Paul might know by a prophetical Spirit; and that extraordinary gift of discerning of spirits might be in this case bestowed upon him. But withal, it is not unlikely but this lame man’s attention to the word, eyes, gesture, and countenance, might speak as much.

As Acts 3:6, Acts 3:8, to shew that he was perfectly recovered of this lameness; as all miraculous cures (being the work of God) were perfect.

In the speech of Lycaonia; which was a dialect of the Greek tongue, that language being in the Lesser Asia ordinarily spoken. The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men; the heathens (especially their poets) did frequently believe such kind of apparitions; probably at first from the…

Jupiter; whom the heathens took for their chief God. Mercury was feigned to be the messenger of their gods, and therefore represented with wings; as also the interpreter of the gods, which caused their applying of his name to Paul.

Before their city; the temple of Jupiter, whom they took for the patron of their city, was in the suburbs. Garlands; these were usually in the form of crowns put upon the oxen which they intended to sacrifice; and, by this sign, showed that they were dedicated to Jupiter, whom the heathen…

They rent their clothes; which was a sign of their greatest detestation of, and sorrow for, such abominations. And ran in among the people, crying out; expressing their greatest zeal for the glory of God, and earnestness to hinder the idolatry of this people.

We also are men of like passions with you; we stand in need of food and raiment, are liable to diseases and death, as well as you. Vanities; so idols are frequently called, 1 Kings 16:13, 1 Kings 16:26, Jer.

There were two main objections which these heathen idolaters might make against the gospel, and the worship of the true God: and they are, first, from the antiquity, secondly, from the universality, of that false worship; both which the apostle here gives a critical answer unto, telling them, that…

These words are to prevent that cavil, Why does God yet complain? and inform them, that though God had not given them, nor their ancestors, his laws written in tables of stone, as he had given to the Jews; yet they had the law written in their hearts, which they had not obeyed, though God’s…

So hard a matter it is to persuade any to leave off these sins they are accustomed unto, or to rectify such errors in religion which men are brought up in.

Certain Jews; such as mention was made of, Acts 13:50. Persuaded the people; a strange and incredible fickleness; but that we know how the same multitude who cried Hosanna, did more suddenly alter their note, and cry against our Saviour, Crucify him, crucify him; so uncertain a thing is worldly…

Stood round about him; either in order to bury him, thinking him to be dead, as well as his persecutors did; or else to defend him, as much as possibly they could, from the rage of his enemies in that popular fury.

Had taught many; had made many disciples by teaching, and also by baptizing of them, Matt. 28:19. For as by circumcision they were made Moses’s disciples, so by baptism they are made Christ’s disciples.

It is not enough to sow the seed of the word, but it must be watered also, frequent endeavours must be used that it may be fruitful. Thus the apostles return to visit such as they had preached unto; the persecution they had endured, increasing their resolution for God, and their strength from him.

Ordained; the word properly signifies a stretching out of the hand, such as was used when they gave their suffrages in the election of their magistrates, whereby was showed for whom they gave their voice; and afterwards it was commonly used for to constitute or appoint, or, as here, to ordain to…

Going the same way back which they had come, as appear by Acts 13:13–14.

The word; the gospel, the word of the Lord; or Christ, who is the word, and who is the sum of what the ministers of the gospel preach about. Perga: mentioned Acts 8:13; a city, or as some, a country, in Pamphylia, by the sea side.

Antioch; that Antioch which was in Syria, as appears Acts 13:1–3, to which this relates; and is a sufficient proof that they had not sought God in vain, and that there is no better preparation or provision towards any business, than faithful prayer unto God concerning it; doing our duty, and…

All that God had done with them; God being with them, and they being labourors with God, 1 Cor. 3:9, 2 Cor. 6:1. They showed how much God had honoured them in making them his instruments in the conversion of so many souls.

To confirm them, as Acts 14:22; and also, as our Saviour withdrew himself from the multitudes, they chose there to refresh themselves a while, out of the heat of contention and persecution.