Acts 14

1 Paul and Barnabas preach and do miracles at Iconium, and many Both Gentiles and Jews believe, 4 wherefore great division and uproar ariseth against them, 6 who therefore flee to Lystra and Derbe, 8 Paul healeth a cripple at Lystra, 11 wherefore the people hold them for Gods, and would sacrifice o them. 14 Which they, although with great earnestness hardly hinder, 15 and direct them to the living (and) true God, 19 but the Jews of Antioch and Iconium coming thither, stir up the people that they stone Paul. 20 But he ariseth, and travelleth with Barnabas unto Derbe. 22 they exhort the brethren to constancy, 23 and choose Elders in all Churches, 24 and having travelled through certain other Countreys and Cities, 26 return again unto Antioch, 27 and relate what God had done by them.

1. And it came to pass at Iconium that they [Namely, Paul and Barnabas] went together [or alike, or in like manner, as before Acts 13:14.] into the Synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of Jews and Greeks believed. [namely, which feared God, and frequented the Synagogues of Jews, as may be seen, Acts 13:42, 43.

2. But the Jews which were disobedient (Or unbelieving) stirred up and embittered the souls [Or made ill-willing, or ill-minded the hearts and minds] of the Gentiles against the Brethren.

3. They conversed therefore (there) a long time, [Namely, the better to confirm the minds of the faith full brethren against these embittered Jews and Gentiles; and to win yet more to Christ] speaking boldly iu the Lord, [that is, speaking boldly in the Lords cause, or by the help of the Lord] who gave testimony to the word of his grace, [that is, to the Gospel, in which the grace of God is published and offered] and gave that signs and wonders were done by their hands. [that is, by their means and ministry.]

4. And the multitude of the City was divided: and some were with the Jews, and some with the Apostles. [Namely, Paul and Barnabas, v. 14.who were also called by Christ to be Apostles, like as the other twelve, See 1 Cor. 9. 5, 6.]

5. And when there was made an uproar both of Gentiles and of Jews, which their Rulers, to do them despite and to stone them.

6. Having considered (all things) [Or seeing this, being aware of it], they fled unto the cities [that is, to the other cities of Lycaonia, deeper into the land, for Iconium also was a city of Lycaonia] of Lycaonia, [this country was part of Asia the Less, situated near mount Taurus about Phrygia] (namely) Lystra and Derbe, and the land lying about.

7. And published the gospel there.

8. And a certain man at Lystra sat impotent in the feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked.

9. This (man) heard Paul speak, who holding his eyes upon him, and seeing, [Namely, Paul, that he, namely, the cripple] that he had faith [which seemeth to have received by Pauls preaching, and the miraculous curing of others. And Paul saw the same in him, either by divine inspiration, or by signs which he perceived thereof in him] to be healed, [or saved, delivered.]

10. Said with a great voice stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked.

11. And the multitudes seeing that which Paul had done, lift up their voices, and said in the Lycaonian (tongue) the Gods are become like unto men, [That is, in the likeness of men, as there are examples thereof related in the Heathenish Histories and Fables; which opinion seemeth to have sprung from some apparitions of the Angels made to the fore-fathers, which the Heathen changed into Fables] and come down unto us.

12. And they caked Barnabas Jupiter, [Him the Heathen held for their highest God, and for the head of all Gods, as Mercury for the Messenger and interpreter of their Gods] and Paul Mercurius, because he was the speaker.

13. And the Priest of Jupiter, which was before their City, [That is, whose Temple, Image or Altar, stood without their City or in the Suburbs, when he had brought Oxen and Garlands, [namely, wherewith the Gentiles adorned the beasts, which they sacrificed unto their Idols] to the porches, [or portall, namely, of the house wherein Paul and Barnabas were lodged, to sacrifice unto them there] he would have sacrificed with the multitudes.

14. But the Apostles Barnabas and Paul hearing (that) rent their cloaths, [Namely, in token of great displeasure and abhorrence which they had of such Idolatry. See Mat. 26.v. 63.] and leapt amongst the multitude, [namely, which was come there before the door with the Priest of Jupiter] crying,

15. And saying, Men, why do ye these things? We are also men of like affections as you, and declare unto you that you should turn from these vain (things) [That is, Idols, which are nothing in themselves, 1 Cor. 8. 4.and no gods, although they accounted them so] unto the living God, who hath made the heaven, and the earth, and the Sea and all that which is in the same.

16. Awho in the times past suffered all the Gentiles to walk in their (own) waies. [That is, in the manners of doing, which they devised to themselves without and contrary to the word of God.]

17. Although notwithstand he left not himself unwitnessed, [Namely, even amongst the heathen themselves, to whom he gave not hi word, Psalms 147:19, 20.] doing good, from heaven giving us rain and fruitfull seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

18. And saying this they scarce with-held the multitudes [Or quieted] that they sacrificed not.

19. But there came Jews from Antioch [Namely, lying in Pisidia, whereof is spoken, Acts 13:14.] and Iconium, and perswaded the multitudes, and stoned Paul, and drew (him) forth out of the City, thinking that he was dead.

20. But when the Disciples had compassed him about, [Namely, either to bury him, or to deliver him from the further violence of the persecutors] he rose up, and came into the City: and the next day, he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe.

21. And as they preached the Gospel to the City, and had made many Disciples [Or that taught or instructed. See also Matthew 28:19] they returned unto Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch.

22. Strengthening the souls of the Disciples [Namely, which in their former journey, in going through the Cities they had wonne to Christ] (and) exhorting that they should continue in the faith; and that through many afflictions we must enter the Kingdome of God.

23. And when they in every Church with lifting up of hands had chosen them Elders, [Gr. Cheirotonesantes: of which word see Acts 10:41. As this was a custome among the Greeks in their chusing of Magistrates, that the people by lifting up of their hands gave to understand their voting; so it seemeth that from thence this custome was also used in the primitive Church, that the setting forth of Ministers of the Church being done by the Apostles, or those that were sent by them for this purpose, was approved by the Church by lifting up of their hands: which use long continued in the Church; as the Eclesisticall Histories testifie. Others think that thereby is understood the imposition of hands, which also was done with consent of the Church, as appears by the fasting and praying, which was done by the whole Congregation, and was also done in the ching of Elders; see further, 1 Tim. 5. 17] having prayed with fasting they commended them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.

24. And having travelled through Pisidia, [This was a Region bordering on Cilicia] they came into Pamphylia. [This was a Region bordering upon Isauria, which also bordered on Lycaonia, v.6.]

25. And when they had spoken the word at Perga, [This was the chief City in Pamphylia, Acts 13 v. 13.] they came down to Attalia. [this was a City lying not far from Perga on the Midland sea.]

26. And from thence they sailed away to Antioch; [Namely, which was situate in Syria. Whence they were sent forth, and had begun this journey, Acts 13:4.] from whence they had been commended to the grace of God [namely, by fasting, prayer and imposition of hands, Acts 13:2, 3.] for the work which they had accomplished.

27. And being come thither, and having gathered the Church together, they related what great things God had done with them, [That is, by them or by their ministry. See Acts 15:12.] and that he had opened the door of faith [that is, that not only the outward word and miracles, but that also the operation of the Holy Ghost was imparted unto them, for to be brought to the faith in Christ, 1 Cor. 16. 9.and 2. Cor. 2. 12. Revelation 3:8] to the Gentiles.

28. And they conversed there no small time with the Disciples.