The Work in Iconium, Lystra and Derbe
Acts 14
Acts 14
Acts 14. This chapter records the continuation and completion of Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey. In Iconium, their bold preaching brought many to faith, though Jewish opposition forced them to flee. At Lystra, the healing of a lame man demonstrated the power of God, but led to a misguided attempt at idolatrous worship, which the apostles firmly refused by pointing to the living God revealed in creation. Soon after, Jews from Antioch and Iconium stirred the crowds to stone Paul, yet God preserved his life, and the work continued at Derbe with many disciples made. On their return journey they revisited the new assemblies, strengthening the disciples, teaching them that through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom of God, and appointing elders in every church. The chapter closes with their return to Antioch in Syria, reporting how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, marking the close of the first great missionary journey.
Ministry in Iconium (14:1-7)
CHAPTER 14
1 And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the Jews who did not believe stirred up the minds of those of the nations and made them evil-affected against the brethren. 3 They stayed therefore a good while, speaking boldly, confiding in the Lord, who gave witness to the word of his grace, giving signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
vv.1-3 Mixed Reception of the Gospel in Iconium. The missionary labors at Iconium followed the pattern in Cyprus and Antioch. Entering the synagogue, Paul and Barnabas “so spake” with earnestness that a great multitude of Jews and Greeks believed. The boldness of their preaching, accompanied by signs and wonders, bore witness to “the word of His grace”, indicating in included the good news that was for Jew and Gentile alike. Yet unbelieving Jews, unwilling to accept the gospel themselves, stirred up the Gentiles against the brethren, poisoning their minds with lies. The division only produced greater perseverance in Paul and Barnabas, who remained there “a long time,” preaching in reliance on the Lord. In their example was see how opposition does not necessarily quench the work of God, but rather faith rises above to display the power of God.
4 And the multitude of the city was divided, and some were with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 And when an assault was making, both of those of the nations and the Jews with their rulers, to use them ill and stone them, 6 they, being aware of it, fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding country, 7 and there they were announcing the glad tidings.
vv.4-6 The Missionaries Forced to Flee. At last the city became divided, some siding with the Jews, others with the apostles. Normally Jews avoided association with Gentiles, but here they united with them in opposition, like when Pilate and Herod were made friends, showing the depth of their hostility. They plotted to abuse and stone Paul and Barnabas, but this was discerned by the missionaries, and they fled to Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia. This was not the spirit of cowardice, but of power, love and wisdom, following the Lord’s own principle of withdrawing rejection was firmly established in a place (John 10:39). Thus the testimony continued in the adjacent cities, rather than being prematurely cut off by the death of the two servants.
Healing at Lystra and Misguided Worship (14:8-18)
8 And a certain man in Lystra, impotent in his feet, sat, being lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking, who, fixing his eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, Rise up straight upon thy feet: and he sprang up and walked.
vv.8-10 Healing at Lystra. In Lystra, a city with few Jews and no synagogue, Paul and Barnabas preached openly in the streets and countryside. There sat a man lame from birth who had never walked. As Paul preached, the man listened intently, and Paul saw faith in him. He commanded the lame man to stand upright. Immediately he leapt to his feet and walked! The miracle testified not only to the power of God but to His goodness in reaching out to Gentiles. It also gave occasion for the gospel to confront the superstition of heathenism, as we see in the following verses.
11 But the crowds, who saw what Paul had done, lifted up their voices in Lycaonian, saying, The gods, having made themselves like men, are come down to us. 12 And they called Barnabas Jupiter, and Paul Mercury, because he took the lead in speaking. 13 And the priest of Jupiter who was before the city, having brought bulls and garlands to the gates, would have done sacrifice along with the crowds.
vv.11-13 Misguided Worship Attempted. The people of Lystra interpreted the miracle through the lens of their idolatry. They cried out in their native tongue that the gods had come down in the likeness of men. They called Barnabas “Zeus” (Jupiter) and Paul “Hermes” (Mercury), because Paul was the chief speaker. Apparently, there was shaped by a local legend, popularized by the poet Ovid, that Zeus and Hermes once visited that region in disguise. The people were carried away with their misguided worship. The priest of Zeus even brought oxen and garlands to the city gates to offer sacrifice. This shows the religious blindness of man: instead of turning to the living God, they would rather worship His messengers.
14 But the apostles Barnabas and Paul, having heard it, rent their garments, and rushed out to the crowd, crying 15 and saying, Men, why do ye these things? “We” also are men of like passions with you, preaching to you to turn from these vanities to the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things in them; 16 who in the past generations suffered all the nations to go in their own ways, 17 though indeed he did not leave himself without witness, doing good, and giving to you from heaven rain and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness. 18 And saying these things, they with difficulty kept the crowds from sacrificing to them.
vv.14-18 Misguided Worship Corrected. Paul and Barnabas were horrified to this attempted worship, and tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, crying out that they were “men of like passions” and not gods. They pointed the crowd away from “these vain things” to the living God, the Creator of all things. Unlike preaching to Jews, Paul did not cite the Old Testament, which would have been unknown to these Gentiles. Instead, he appealed to the witness of creation: God had not left Himself without testimony, for He gave rain, fruitful seasons, food, and gladness. Creation reveals that there is a God who created all things, knows all things, can hold men accountable, and in His goodness leads men to repentance. But even with such earnest words, they coul barely restrain the crowd from sacrificing to them. There is a real danger of flattery and “the praise of men,” which can ensnare servants of the Lord if not firmly refused.
Persecution and Paul Stoned (14:19-20)
19 But there came Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds and stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing him to have died. 20 But while the disciples encircled him, he rose up and entered into the city. And on the morrow he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.
vv.19-20 Paul Stoned at Lystra. The fickleness of man soon manifested itself. Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, stirring up the crowd that only moments before wanted to worship the apostles. They stoned Paul, dragged him out of the city, and left him for dead. This was almost an echo of Stephen’s martyrdom, and the fulfillment of what the Lord had told Paul about his sufferings (Acts 9:16). Yet as the disciples gathered around him, Paul rose up and returned into the city! This showed divine power and remarkable courage. Many believe this stoning was the occasion of Paul’s being “caught up to the third heaven” mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12. The next day, he and Barnabas traveled to Derbe, about twenty-five miles away, where the gospel flourished and many disciples were made.
Ministry in Derbe and Return to Antioch (14:21-28)
21 And having announced the glad tidings to that city, and having made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch, 22 establishing the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to abide in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And having chosen them elders in each assembly, having prayed with fastings, they committed them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
vv.21-23 Return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch Establishing the Disciples. Paul and Barnabas then retraced their steps, returning through the same cities where they had faced persecution. The purpose in this was to establish the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith. They warned the new converts of the persecution they would face: “through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God.” Suffering is part of the Christian’s pathway, leading to the future manifestation of the kingdom in glory. They also appointed elders in each assembly. This was an apostolic function. The assemblies did not chose their own elders. Elders (also called overseers or bishops in the KJV) were recognized for maturity, care for the saints, and ability to shepherd souls. They were chosen by the apostles, and commended to the Lord in prayer with fasting. This shows that oversight does not replace the saints’ need for direct dependence on Christ as the Head of the Church. This marks the first recorded instance of elders appointed among Gentile assemblies.
Elders, Bishops, and Overseers.
The world for overseers is 'episkopos', which means 'those looking on'. It is translated 'bishops', and 'overseers', referring to the office itself. The word for elders is 'presbuterous', and means seniors or older ones, and refers specifically to the persons who occupy the office. Note that the word 'elder' can mean 'older ones' in a general sense, depending on the context, as in 1 Peter 5:5; "Likewise ye younger, be subject to the elder". But in other places 'elders' are those who occupy the office of an overseer, as in Acts 20, where Paul spoke to "the elders of the church", saying, "...all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God" (Acts 20:17, 28). Those who fill this office have the care of the local assembly, to feed and shepherd them. We find that the office of an overseer was local; "elders in each assembly" (Acts 14:23), contrary to the Church's practice of setting up "bishops" who preside over vast regions. More details on elders will follow. Elders are always mentioned as a plurality, never a single man over an entire congregation.
Read more…24 And having passed through Pisidia they came to Pamphylia, 25 and having spoken the word in Perga, they came down to Attalia; 26 and thence they sailed away to Antioch, whence they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. 27 And having arrived, and having brought together the assembly, they related to them all that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations. 28 And they stayed no little time with the disciples.
vv.24-28 Retracing to Antioch in Syria. From there they passed through Pisidia and Pamphylia, preaching in Perga, then to the port of Attalia, from which they sailed back to Antioch in Syria, their home assembly and starting point. There they gathered the assembly together and reported “all that God had done with them,” emphasizing that God had “opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.” It was not their work, but God’s. The assembly rejoiced, and Paul and Barnabas remained there a long time, no doubt enjoying the refreshment of fellowship with their brethren. This chapter thus closes the first great missionary journey: the door of faith stood open to the Gentiles, assemblies were formed amongst them, and elders were appointed.