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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Acts XIV].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>A C T S.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XIV.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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We have, in this chapter, a further account of the progress of the
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gospel, by the ministry of Paul and Barnabas among the Gentiles; it
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goes on conquering and to conquer, yet meeting with opposition, as
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before, among the unbelieving Jews. Here is,
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I. Their successful preaching of the gospel for some time at Iconium,
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and their being driven thence by the violence of their persecutors,
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both Jews and Gentiles, and forced into the neighbouring countries,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:1-7">ver. 1-7</A>.
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II. Their healing a lame man at Lystra, and the profound veneration
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which the people conceived of them thereupon, which they had much ado
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to keep from running into an extreme,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:8-18">ver. 8-18</A>.
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III. The outrage of the people against Paul, at the instigation of the
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Jews, the effect of which was that they stoned him, as they thought, to
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death; but he was wonderfully restored to life,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:19,20">ver. 19, 20</A>.
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IV. The visit which Paul and Barnabas made to the churches which they
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had planted, to confirm them, and put them into order,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:21-23">ver. 21-23</A>.
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V. They return to Antioch, whence they were sent forth; the good they
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did by the way, and the report they made to the church of Antioch of
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their expedition, and, if I may so say, of the campaign they had made,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:24-28">ver. 24-28</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="Ac14_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac14_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Paul at Iconium.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together
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into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great
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multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
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2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made
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their minds evil affected against the brethren.
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3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord,
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which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted
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signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
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4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with
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the Jews, and part with the apostles.
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5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and
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also of the Jews with their rulers, to use <I>them</I> despitefully,
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and to stone them,
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6 They were ware of <I>it,</I> and fled unto Lystra and Derbe,
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cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
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7 And there they preached the gospel.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In these verses we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. The preaching of the gospel in Iconium, whither the apostles were
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forced to retire from Antioch. As the blood of the martyrs has been the
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seed of the church, so the banishment of the confessors has helped to
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scatter that seed. Observe,
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1. How they made the first offer of the gospel <I>to the Jews in their
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synagogues;</I> thither they went, not only as to a place of meeting,
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but as to a place of meeting with them, to whom, wherever they came,
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they were to apply themselves in the first place. Though the Jews at
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Antioch had used them barbarously, yet they did not therefore decline
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preaching the gospel to the Jews at Iconium, who perhaps might be
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better disposed. Let not those of any denomination be condemned in the
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gross, nor some suffer for others' faults; but let us do good to those
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who have done evil to us. Though <I>the blood-thirsty hate the upright,
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yet the just seek their soul</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+29:10">Prov. xxix. 10</A>),
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seek the salvation of it.
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2. How the apostles concurred herein. Notice is taken of this, that
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<I>they went both together into the synagogue,</I> to testify their
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unanimity and mutual affection, that people might say, <I>See how they
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love one another,</I> and might think the better of Christianity, and
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that they might strengthen one another's hands and confirm one
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another's testimony, and <I>out of the mouth of two witnesses every
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word might be established.</I> They did not go one one day and another
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another, nor one go at the beginning and the other some time after; but
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they went in both together.</P>
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<P>
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II. The success of their preaching there: <I>They so spoke that a great
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multitude,</I> some hundreds perhaps, if not thousands, <I>both of the
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Jews and also of the Greeks,</I> that is the Gentiles, <I>believed.</I>
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Observe here,
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1. That the gospel was now preached to Jews and Gentiles together, and
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those of each denomination that believed came together into the church.
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In the close of the foregoing chapter it was preached first to the
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Jews, and some of them believed, and then to the Gentiles, and some of
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them believed; but here they are put together, being put upon the same
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level. The Jews have not so lost their preference as to be thrown
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behind, only the Gentiles are brought to stand upon even terms with
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them; <I>both are reconciled to God in one body</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+2:16">Ephes. ii. 16</A>),
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and both together admitted into the church without distinction.
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2. There seems to have been something remarkable in the manner of the
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apostles' preaching here, which contributed to their success: <I>They
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so spoke that a great multitude believed</I>--so plainly, so
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convincingly, with such an evidence and <I>demonstration of the
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Spirit,</I> and <I>with such power;</I> they so spoke, so warmly, so
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affectionately, and with such a manifest concern for the souls of men,
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that one might perceive they were not only convinced, but filled, with
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the things they spoke of, and that what they spoke came from the heart
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and therefore was likely to reach to the heart; they so spoke, so
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earnestly and so seriously, so boldly and courageously, that those who
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heard them could not but say that <I>God was with them of a truth.</I>
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Yet the success was not to be attributed to the manner of their
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preaching, but to the Spirit of God, who made use of that means.</P>
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<P>
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III. The opposition that their preaching met with there, and the
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trouble that was created them; lest they should be puffed up with the
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multitude of their converts, there was given them this thorn in the
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flesh.
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1. Unbelieving Jews were the first spring of their trouble here, as
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elsewhere
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>):
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they <I>stirred up the Gentiles.</I> The influence which the gospel had
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upon many of the Gentiles, and their embracing it, as it provoked some
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of the Jews to a holy jealousy and stirred them up to receive the
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gospel too
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:14">Rom. xi. 14</A>),
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so it provoked others of them to a wicked jealousy, and exasperated
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them against the gospel. Thus as good instructions, so good examples,
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which to some are a savour of life unto life, to others are a savour of
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death unto death. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+2:15,16">2 Cor. ii. 15, 16</A>.
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2. Disaffected Gentiles, irritated by the unbelieving Jews, were likely
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to be the instruments of their trouble. The Jews, by false suggestions,
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which they were continually buzzing in the ears of the Gentiles, made
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<I>their minds evil affected against the brethren,</I> whom of
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themselves they were inclined to think favourably of. They not only
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took occasion in all companies, as it came in their way, but made it
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their business to go purposely to such as they had any acquaintance
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with, and said all that their wit or malice could invent to beget in
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them not only a mean but an ill opinion of Christianity, telling them
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how destructive it would certainly be to their pagan theology and
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worship; and, for their parts, they would rather be Gentiles than
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Christians. Thus they soured and embittered their spirits against both
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the converters and the converted. <I>The old serpent</I> did, by their
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poisonous tongues, infuse his venom against <I>the seed of the
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woman</I> into the minds of these Gentiles, and this was a <I>root of
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bitterness in them, bearing gall and wormwood.</I> It is no wonder if
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those who are ill affected towards good people wish ill to them, speak
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ill of them, and contrive ill against them; it is all owing to ill
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will. <B><I>Ekakosan,</I></B> <I>they molested</I> and vexed the minds
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of the Gentiles (so some of the critics take it); they were continually
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teasing them with their impertinent solicitations. The tools of
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persecutors have a dog's life, set on continually.</P>
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<P>
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IV. Their continuance in their work there, notwithstanding this
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opposition, and God's owning them in it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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We have here,
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1. The apostles working for Christ, faithfully and diligently,
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according to the trust committed to them. Because the minds of <I>the
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Gentiles were evil affected against them,</I> one would think that
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therefore they should have withdrawn, and hastened out of the way, or,
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if they had preached, should have preached cautiously, for fear of
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giving further provocation to those who were already enough enraged.
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No; on the contrary, therefore <I>they abode there a long time,
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speaking boldly in the Lord.</I> The more they perceived the spite and
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rancour of the town against the new converts, the more they were
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animated to go on in their work, and the more needful they saw it to
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continue among them, <I>to confirm them in the faith, and to comfort
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them. They spoke boldly,</I> and were not afraid of giving offence to
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the unbelieving Jews. What God said to the prophet, with reference to
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the unbelieving Jews in his day, was now made good to the apostles:
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<I>I have made thy face strong against their faces,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+3:7-9">Ezek. iii. 7-9</A>.
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But observe what it was that animated them: <I>They spoke boldly in the
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Lord,</I> in his strength, and trusting in him to bear them out; not
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depending upon any thing in themselves. <I>They were strong in the
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Lord, and in the power of his might.</I>
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2. Christ working with the apostles, according to his promise, <I>Lo, I
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am with you always.</I> When they went on in his name and strength, he
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failed not to give testimony to the word of his grace. Note,
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(1.) The gospel is a word of grace, the assurance of God's good will to
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us and the means of his good work in us. It is the word of Christ's
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grace, for it is in him alone that we find favour with God.
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(2.) Christ himself has attested this word of grace, who is <I>the
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Amen, the faithful witness;</I> he has assured us that it is the word
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of God, and that we may venture our souls upon it. As it was said in
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general concerning the first preachers of the gospel that they had
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<I>the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by signs
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following</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+16:20">Mark xvi. 20</A>),
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so it is said particularly concerning the apostles here <I>that the
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Lord confirmed their testimony, in granting signs and wonders to be
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done by their hands</I>--in the miracles they wrought in the kingdom of
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nature--as well as the wonders done by their word, in the greater
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miracles wrought on men's minds by the power of divine grace. The Lord
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was with them, while they were with him, and abundance of good was
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done.</P>
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<P>
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V. The division which this occasioned in the city
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>The multitude of the city was divided</I> into two parties, and both
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active and vigorous. Among the rulers and persons of rank, and among
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the common people, there were some that held with the unbelieving Jews,
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and others that held with the apostles. Barnabas is here reckoned an
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apostle, though not one of the twelve, nor called in the extra-ordinary
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manner that Paul was, because set apart by special designation of
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<I>the Holy Ghost to the service of the Gentiles.</I> It seems, this
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business of the preaching of the gospel was so universally taken notice
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of with concern that every person, even of <I>the multitude of the
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city,</I> was either for it or against it; none stood neuter. "Either
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for us or for our adversaries, for God or Baal, for Christ or
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Beelzebub."
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1. We may here see the meaning of Christ's prediction that he <I>came
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not to send peace upon earth, but rather division,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:51-53">Luke xii. 51-53</A>.
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If all would have given in unanimously into his measures, there would
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have been universal concord; and, could men have agreed in this, there
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would have been no dangerous discord nor disagreement in other things;
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but, disagreeing here, the breach was wide as the sea. Yet the
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apostles must not be blamed for coming to Iconium, although before they
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came the city was united, and now it was divided; for it is better that
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part of the city go to heaven than all to hell.
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2. We may here take the measures of our expectations; let us not think
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it strange if the preaching of the gospel occasion division, nor be
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offended at it; it is better to be reproached and persecuted as
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dividers for swimming against the stream than yield ourselves to be
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carried down the stream that leads to destruction. Let us hold with the
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apostles, and not fear those that hold with the Jews.</P>
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<P>
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VI. The attempt made upon the apostles by their enemies. Their evil
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affection against them broke out at length into violent outrages,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Observe,
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1. Who the plotters were: <I>Both the Gentiles and the Jews, with their
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rulers.</I> The Gentiles and Jews were at enmity with one another, and
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yet united against Christians, like Herod and Pilate, Sadducees and
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Pharisees, against Christ; and like <I>Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, of
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old,</I> against Israel. If the church's enemies can thus unite for its
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destruction, shall not its friends, laying aside all personal feuds,
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unite for its preservation?
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2. What the plot was. Having now got <I>the rulers</I> on their side,
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they doubted not but to carry their point, and their design was <I>to
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use the apostles despitefully,</I> to expose them to disgrace, and then
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<I>to stone them,</I> to put them to death; and thus they hoped to sink
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their cause. They aimed to take away both their reputation and their
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life, and this was all they had to lose which men could take from them,
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for they had neither lands nor goods.</P>
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<P>
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VII. The deliverance of the apostles out of the hands of those
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<I>wicked and unreasonable men,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>.
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They got away, upon notice given them of the design against them, or
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the beginning of the attempt upon them, of which they were soon aware,
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and they made an honourable retreat (for it was not an inglorious
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flight) to <I>Lystra and Derbe;</I> and there,
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1. They found safety. Their persecutors in Iconium were for the present
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satisfied that they were thrust out of their borders, and pursued them
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no further. God has shelters for his people in a storm; nay, he is, and
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will be, himself their hiding place.
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2. They found work, and this was what they went for. When the door of
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opportunity was shut against them at Iconium, it was opened at
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<I>Lystra</I> and <I>Derbe.</I> To these cities they went, and there,
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and <I>in the region that lieth round about, they preached the
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gospel.</I> In times of persecution ministers may see cause to quit the
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spot, when yet they do not quit the work.</P>
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<A NAME="Ac14_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac14_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac14_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac14_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac14_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac14_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac14_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac14_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac14_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac14_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ac14_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Lame Man Healed at Lystra; Paul and Barnabas at Lystra.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet,
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being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
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9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and
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perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
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10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he
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leaped and walked.
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11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up
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their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come
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down to us in the likeness of men.
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12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius,
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because he was the chief speaker.
|
|
13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city,
|
|
brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done
|
|
sacrifice with the people.
|
|
14 <I>Which</I> when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard <I>of,</I>
|
|
they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
|
|
15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of
|
|
like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn
|
|
from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and
|
|
earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
|
|
16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own
|
|
ways.
|
|
17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he
|
|
did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons,
|
|
filling our hearts with food and gladness.
|
|
18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people,
|
|
that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In these verses we have,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. A miraculous cure wrought by Paul at Lystra upon a cripple that had
|
|
been lame from his birth, such a one as was miraculously cured by Peter
|
|
and John,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+3:2"><I>ch.</I> iii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
That introduced the gospel among the Jews, this among the Gentiles;
|
|
both that and this were designed to represent the impotency of all the
|
|
children of men in spiritual things: they are lame from their birth,
|
|
till the grace of God puts strength into them; for it was when we were
|
|
yet <I>without strength</I> that <I>Christ died for the ungodly,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+5:6">Rom. v. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe here,
|
|
|
|
1. The deplorable case of the poor cripple
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>):
|
|
|
|
He was <I>impotent in his feet, disabled</I> (so the word is) to such a
|
|
degree that it was impossible he should set his foot to the ground, to
|
|
lay any stress upon it. It was well known that he had been so <I>from
|
|
his mother's womb,</I> and that he <I>never had walked,</I> nor could
|
|
<I>stand up.</I> We should take occasion hence to thank God for the use
|
|
of our limbs; and those who are deprived of it may observe that their
|
|
case is not singular.
|
|
|
|
2. The expectation that was raised in him of a cure
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
|
|
|
|
He heard Paul preach, and, it is likely, was much affected with what he
|
|
heard, believed that the messengers, having their commission thence,
|
|
had a divine power going along with them, and were therefore able to
|
|
cure him of his lameness. This Paul was aware of, by the spirit of
|
|
discerning that he had, and perhaps the aspect of his countenance did
|
|
in part witness for him: <I>Paul perceived that he had faith to be
|
|
healed;</I> desired it, hoped for it, had such a thing in his thoughts,
|
|
which it does not appear that the lame man Peter healed had, for he
|
|
expected no more than an <I>alms.</I> There <I>was not found such great
|
|
faith in Israel</I> as was among the Gentiles,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:10">Matt. viii. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. The cure wrought: <I>Paul, perceiving that he had faith to be
|
|
healed,</I> brought <I>the word and healed him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+107:20">Ps. cvii. 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, God will not disappoint the desires that are of his own kindling,
|
|
nor the hopes of his own raising. Paul spoke to him <I>with a loud
|
|
voice,</I> either because he was at some distance, or to show that the
|
|
true miracles, wrought by the power of Christ, were far unlike the
|
|
lying wonders wrought by deceivers, <I>that peeped, and muttered, and
|
|
whispered,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+8:19">Isa. viii. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
God saith, <I>I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the
|
|
earth,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:19">Isa. xlv. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Paul spoke to him with a loud voice, that the people about might take
|
|
notice, and have their expectations raised of the effect. It does not
|
|
appear that this cripple was a beggar; it is said
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>)
|
|
|
|
<I>that he sat,</I> not that he sat begging. But we may imagine how
|
|
melancholy it was to him to see other people walking about him, and
|
|
himself disabled; and therefore how welcome Paul's word was to him,
|
|
"<I>Stand upright on thy feet;</I> help thyself, and God shall help
|
|
thee; try whether thou hast strength, and thou shalt find that thou
|
|
hast." Some copies read it, <I>I say unto thee, in the name of the Lord
|
|
Jesus Christ, Stand upright on thy feet.</I> It is certain that this is
|
|
implied, and very probably was expressed, by Paul, and <I>power went
|
|
along with this word;</I> for presently <I>he leaped and walked,</I>
|
|
leaped up from the place where he sat, and not only <I>stood
|
|
upright,</I> but to show that he was perfectly cured, and that
|
|
immediately, he walked to and fro before them all. Herein the scripture
|
|
was fulfilled, that when <I>the wilderness of the Gentile world is made
|
|
to blossom as the rose then shall the lame man leap as a hart,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+35:1,6">Isa. xxxv. 1, 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that by the grace of God are cured of their spiritual lameness
|
|
must show it by leaping with a holy exultation and walking in a holy
|
|
conversation.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The impression which this cure made upon the people: they were
|
|
amazed at it, had never seen nor heard the like, and fell into an
|
|
ecstacy of wonder. Paul and Barnabas were strangers, exiles, refugees,
|
|
in their country; every thing concurred to make them mean and
|
|
despicable: yet the working of this one miracle was enough to make them
|
|
in the eyes of this people truly great and honourable, though the
|
|
multitude of Christ's miracles could not screen him from the utmost
|
|
contempt among the Jews. We find here,
|
|
|
|
1. The people take them for gods
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>They lifted up their voices</I> with an air of triumph, saying in
|
|
their own language (for it was the common people that said it), <I>in
|
|
the speech of Lycaonia,</I> which was a dialect of the Greek, <I>The
|
|
gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.</I> They imagined that
|
|
Paul and Barnabas had dropped down to them out of the clouds, and that
|
|
they were some divine powers, no less than gods, though in the likeness
|
|
of men. This notion of the thing agreed well enough with the pagan
|
|
theology, and the fabulous account they had of the visits which their
|
|
gods made to this lower world; and proud enough they were to think that
|
|
they should have a visit made to them. They carried this notion so far
|
|
here that they pretended to tell which of their gods they were,
|
|
according to the ideas their poets had given them of the gods
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>They called Barnabas Jupiter;</I> for, if they will have him to be a
|
|
god, it is as easy to make him the prince of their gods as not. It is
|
|
probable that he was the senior, and the more portly comely man, that
|
|
had something of majesty in his countenance. And <I>Paul they called
|
|
Mercury,</I> who was the messenger of the gods, that was sent on their
|
|
errands; for Paul, though he had not the appearance that Barnabas had,
|
|
was <I>the chief speaker,</I> and had a greater command of language,
|
|
and perhaps appeared to have something mercurial in his temper and
|
|
genius. <I>Jupiter</I> used to take <I>Mercury</I> along with him, they
|
|
said, and, if he make a visit to their city, they will suppose he does
|
|
so now.
|
|
|
|
2. The priest thereupon prepares <I>to do sacrifice to them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
The temple of Jupiter was, it seems, before the gate of their city, as
|
|
its protector and guardian; and the priest of that idol and temple,
|
|
hearing the people cry out thus, took the hint presently, and thought
|
|
it was time for him to bestir himself to do his duty: many a costly
|
|
sacrifice he had offered to the image of Jupiter, but if Jupiter be
|
|
among them <I>himself--in propria persona,</I> it concerns him to do
|
|
him the utmost honours imaginable; and the people are ready to join
|
|
with him in it. See how easily vain minds are carried away with a
|
|
popular outcry. If the crowd give a shout, Here is Jupiter, the priest
|
|
of Jupiter takes the first hint, and offers his service immediately.
|
|
When Christ, the Son of God, came down, and appeared in the likeness of
|
|
men, and did many, very many miracles, yet they were so far from doing
|
|
sacrifice to him that they made him a sacrifice to their pride and
|
|
malice: <I>He was in the world, and the world knew him not; he came to
|
|
his own, and his own received him not;</I> but Paul and Barnabas, upon
|
|
the working of one miracle, are immediately deified. The same power of
|
|
the god of this world which prejudices the carnal mind against truth
|
|
makes errors and mistakes to find easy admission; and both ways his
|
|
turn is served. They <I>brought oxen,</I> to be sacrificed <I>to them,
|
|
and garlands,</I> with which to crown the sacrifices. These garlands
|
|
were made up of flowers and ribbons; and they gilded the horns of the
|
|
oxen they sacrificed.</P>
|
|
|
|
<CENTER>
|
|
<TABLE BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD>Victimæ ad supplicium saginantur,
|
|
<BR>hostiæ ad pœnam corenantur.
|
|
<BR>So beasts for sacrifice do feed,
|
|
<BR>First to be crown'd, and then to bleed.
|
|
</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD ALIGN=RIGHT>So Octavius in Minutius Felix.
|
|
</TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
</CENTER>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Paul and Barnabas protest against this undue respect paid them,
|
|
and with much ado prevent it. Many of the heathen emperors called
|
|
themselves <I>gods,</I> and took a pride in having divine honours paid
|
|
them: but Christ's ministers, though real benefactors to mankind, while
|
|
these tyrants only pretended to be so, refused those honours when they
|
|
were so tendered. Whose successor therefore he is who <I>sits in the
|
|
temple of God,</I> and shows <I>that he is god</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:4">2 Thess. ii. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
and who is adored as <I>our lord god,</I> the pope, it is easy to say.
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The holy indignation which Paul and Barnabas conceived at this:
|
|
<I>When they heard this, they rent their clothes.</I> We do not find
|
|
that they rent their clothes when the people vilified them, and spoke
|
|
of stoning them; they could bear this without disturbance: but when
|
|
they deified them, and spoke of worshipping them, they could not bear
|
|
it, but rent their clothes, as being more concerned for God's honour
|
|
than their own.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The pains they took to prevent it. They did not connive at it, nor
|
|
say, "If people will be deceived, let them be deceived," much less
|
|
suggest to themselves and one another that it might contribute both to
|
|
the safety of their persons and the success of their ministry if they
|
|
suffered the people to continue in this mistake, and so they might make
|
|
a good hand of an ill thing. No, God's truth needs not the service of
|
|
man's lie. Christ had put honour enough upon them in making them
|
|
apostles, they needed not assume either the honour of princes or the
|
|
honour of gods; they appeared with much more magnificent titles when
|
|
they were called <I>the ambassadors of Christ,</I> and <I>the stewards
|
|
of the mysteries of God,</I> than when they were called Jupiter and
|
|
Mercury. Let us see how they prevented it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>They ran in among the people,</I> as soon as they heard of it,
|
|
and would not so much as stay awhile to see what the people would do.
|
|
Their running in, like servants, among the people, showed that they
|
|
were far from looking upon themselves as gods, or taking state upon
|
|
them; they did not stand still, expecting honours to be done them, but
|
|
plainly declined them by thrusting themselves into the crowd. They ran
|
|
in, as men in earnest, with as much concern as Aaron <I>ran in between
|
|
the living and the dead,</I> when the plague was begun.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) They reasoned with them, <I>crying out,</I> that all might hear,
|
|
"<I>Sirs, why do you these things?</I>" Why do you go about to make
|
|
gods of us? It is the most absurd thing you can do; for,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] "Our nature will not admit it: <I>We also are men of like passions
|
|
with you</I>" <B><I>homoiopatheis</I></B>: it is the same word that is
|
|
used concerning Elias,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+5:18">Jam. v. 18</A>,
|
|
|
|
where we render it, <I>subject to like passions as we are.</I> "We are
|
|
men, and therefore you wrong yourselves if you expect that from us
|
|
which is to be had in God only; and you wrong God if you give that
|
|
honour to us, or to any other man, which is to be given to God only. We
|
|
not only have such bodies as you see, but <I>are of like passions with
|
|
you,</I> have <I>hearts fashioned like as other men</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+33:15">Ps. xxxiii. 15</A>);
|
|
|
|
for, <I>as in water face answers to face, so doth the heart of man to
|
|
man,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+27:19">Prov. xxvii. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
We are naturally subject to the same infirmities of the human nature,
|
|
and liable to the same calamities of the human life; not only men, but
|
|
sinful men and suffering men, and therefore will not be deified."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] "Our doctrine is directly against it. Must we be added to the
|
|
number of your gods whose business it is to abolish the gods you have?
|
|
<I>We preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the
|
|
living God.</I> If we should suffer this, we should confirm you in that
|
|
which it is our business to convert you from:" and so they take this
|
|
occasion to show them how just and necessary it was that they should
|
|
<I>turn to God from idols,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+1:9">1 Thess. i. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
When they preached to the Jews, who hated idolatry, they had nothing to
|
|
do but to preach the grace of God in Christ, and needed not, as the
|
|
prophets in dealing with their fathers, to preach against idolatry:
|
|
but, when they had to do with the Gentiles, they must rectify their
|
|
mistakes in natural religion, and bring them off from the gross
|
|
corruptions of that. See here what they preached to the Gentiles.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>First,</I> That the gods which they and their fathers worshipped,
|
|
and all the ceremonies of their worship of them were <I>vanities,</I>
|
|
idle things, unreasonable, unprofitable, which no rational account
|
|
could be given of, nor any real advantage gained from. Idols are often
|
|
called vanities in the Old Testament,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+32:21,1Ki+10:13.Jer+14:22">Deut. xxxii. 21;
|
|
1 Kings x. 13; Jer. xiv. 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>An idol is nothing in the world</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+8:4">1 Cor. viii. 4</A>):
|
|
|
|
it is not at all what it is pretended to be, it is a cheat, it is a
|
|
counterfeit; it deceives those that trust to it and expect relief from
|
|
it. Therefore <I>turn from these vanities,</I> turn from them with
|
|
abhorrence and detestation, as Ephraim did
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+14:8">Hos. xiv. 8</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>What have I to do any more with idols?</I> I will never again be
|
|
thus imposed upon."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> That the God to whom they would have them <I>turn</I>
|
|
is <I>the living God.</I> They had hitherto worshipped dead images,
|
|
that were utterly unable to help them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+64:9">Isa. lxiv. 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
or (as they now attempted) dying men, that would soon be disabled to
|
|
help them; but now they are persuaded to worship a living God, who has
|
|
life in himself, and life for us, and lives for evermore.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Thirdly,</I> That this God is the creator of the world, the fountain
|
|
of all being and power: "He <I>made heaven and earth, and the sea, and
|
|
all things therein,</I> even those things which you worship as gods, so
|
|
that he <I>is the God</I> of your gods. You worship gods which you
|
|
made, the creatures of your own fancy, and the work of your own hands.
|
|
We call you to worship the true God, and cheat not yourselves with
|
|
pretenders; worship the Sovereign Lord of all, and disparage not
|
|
yourselves in bowing down to his creatures and subjects."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Fourthly,</I> That the world owed it to his patience that he had not
|
|
destroyed them long ere this for their idolatry
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>In times past,</I> for many ages, unto this day, he <I>suffered all
|
|
nations to walk in their own ways.</I> These idolaters, that were
|
|
called from the service of other gods, might think, "Have we not served
|
|
these gods hitherto, and our fathers before us, time out of mind; and
|
|
why may we not as well go on to serve them still?"--No, your serving
|
|
them was a trial of God's patience, and it was a miracle of mercy that
|
|
you were not cut off for it. But, though he did not destroy you for it
|
|
while you were in ignorance, and knew no better
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+17:30"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 30</A>)
|
|
|
|
yet now that he has sent his gospel into the world, and by it has made
|
|
a clear discovery of himself and his will to <I>all nations,</I> and
|
|
not to the Jews only, if you still continue in your idolatry he will
|
|
not bear with you as he has done. All the nations that had not the
|
|
benefit of divine revelation, that is, all but the Jews, <I>he suffered
|
|
to walk in their own ways,</I> for they had nothing to check them, or
|
|
control them, but their own consciences, their own thoughts
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+2:15">Rom. ii. 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
no scriptures, no prophets; and then they were the more excusable if
|
|
they mistook their way: but now that God has sent a revelation into the
|
|
world which is to be published to <I>all nations</I> the case is
|
|
altered. We may understand it as a judgment upon all nations that
|
|
<I>God suffered them to walk in their own ways, gave them up to their
|
|
own hearts' lusts;</I> but now the time is come when <I>the veil of the
|
|
covering spread over all nations should be taken off</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+25:7">Isa. xxv. 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
and now you will no longer be excused in these vanities, but must turn
|
|
from them. Note,
|
|
|
|
1. God's patience with us hitherto should <I>lead us to
|
|
repentance,</I> and not encourage us to presume upon the continuance of
|
|
it, while we continue to provoke him.
|
|
|
|
2. Our having done ill while we were in ignorance will not bear us out
|
|
in doing ill when we are better taught.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Fifthly,</I> That even when they were not under the direction and
|
|
correction of the word of God, yet they might have known, and should
|
|
have known, to do better by the works of God,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Though the Gentiles had not the <I>statutes and judgments</I> that the
|
|
Jews had to witness for God against all pretenders, no tables of
|
|
testimony or tabernacle of testimony, yet <I>he left not himself
|
|
without witness;</I> besides <I>the witness</I> for God within them
|
|
(the dictates of natural conscience), they had <I>witnesses</I> for God
|
|
round about them--the bounty of common providence. Their having no
|
|
scriptures did in part excuse them, and therefore God did not destroy
|
|
them for their idolatry, as he did the Jewish nation. This however did
|
|
not wholly excuse them, but that notwithstanding this they were highly
|
|
criminal and deeply guilty before God; for there were other
|
|
<I>witnesses</I> for God, sufficient to inform them that he and he only
|
|
is to be worshipped, and that to him they owed all their services from
|
|
whom they received all their comforts, and therefore that they were
|
|
guilty of the highest injustice and ingratitude imaginable, in
|
|
alienating them from him. God, having <I>not left himself without
|
|
witness,</I> has not left us without a guide, and so has left us
|
|
without excuse; for whatever is a witness for God is a witness against
|
|
us, if we give that glory to any other which is due to him only.
|
|
|
|
1. The bounties of common providence witness to us that there is a God,
|
|
for they are all dispensed wisely and with design. The <I>rain and
|
|
fruitful seasons</I> could not come by chance, nor <I>are there any of
|
|
the vanities of the heathen that can give rain,</I> neither <I>can the
|
|
heavens</I> of themselves <I>give showers,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+14:22">Jer. xiv. 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
All the powers of nature witness to us a sovereign power in the God of
|
|
nature, from whom they are derived, and on whom they depend. It is not
|
|
the heaven that gives us rain, but God that gives us rain from heaven,
|
|
he is the Father of the rain,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+38:28">Job xxxviii. 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. The benefits we have by these bounties witness to us that we ought
|
|
to make our acknowledgments not to the creatures who are made
|
|
serviceable to us, but to the Creator who makes them so. <I>He left not
|
|
himself without witness, in that he did good.</I> God seems to reckon
|
|
the instances of his <I>goodness</I> to be more pregnant, cogent proofs
|
|
of his title to our homage and adoration than the evidences of his
|
|
<I>greatness;</I> for his goodness is his glory. <I>The earth is full
|
|
of his goodness; his tender mercies are over all his works;</I> and
|
|
therefore <I>they praise him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+145:9,10">Ps. cxlv. 9, 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
God does us good, in preserving to us his air to breathe in, his ground
|
|
to go upon, the light of his sun to see by; but, because the most
|
|
sensible instance of the goodness of Providence to each of us in
|
|
particular is that of the daily provision made by it of meat and drink
|
|
for us, the apostle chooses to insist upon that, and shows how God does
|
|
us good,
|
|
|
|
(1.) In preparing it for us, and that by a long train of causes which
|
|
depend upon him as the first cause: <I>The heavens hear the earth; the
|
|
earth hears the corn, and wine, and oil; and they hear Jezreel.</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+2:21,22">Hos. ii. 21, 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
He does us good in giving us rain from heaven--rain for us to drink,
|
|
for if there were no rain there would be no springs of water and we
|
|
should soon die for thirst--rain for our land to drink, for our meat as
|
|
well as drink we have from the rain; in giving us this, he <I>gives us
|
|
fruitful seasons. If the heavens be as iron, the earth</I> will soon
|
|
<I>be as brass,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Le+26:19">Lev. xxvi. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>This is the river of God</I> which <I>greatly enriches the
|
|
earth,</I> and by <I>it God prepares us corn,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+65:9-13">Ps. lxv. 9-13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Of all the common operations of providence, the heathen chose to form
|
|
their notion of the supreme God by that which bespeaks terror, and is
|
|
proper to strike an awe of him upon us, and this was <I>the
|
|
thunder;</I> and therefore they called Jupiter <I>the thunderer,</I>
|
|
and represented him with a thunderbolt in his hand; and it appears by
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+29:3">Ps. xxix. 3</A>
|
|
|
|
that this ought not to be overlooked; but the apostle here, to engage
|
|
us to worship God, sets before us his beneficence, that we may have
|
|
good thoughts of him in every thing wherein we have to do with him--may
|
|
love him and delight in him, as one that does good, does good to us,
|
|
does good to all, in giving <I>rain from heaven and fruitful
|
|
seasons;</I> and if at any time rain be withheld, or the seasons be
|
|
unfruitful, we may thank ourselves; it is our sin <I>that turns away
|
|
these good things from us</I> which were coming to us, and stops the
|
|
current of God's favours.
|
|
|
|
(2.) In giving us the comforts of it. It is he <I>that fills our hearts
|
|
with food and gladness.</I> God <I>is rich in mercy to all</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+10:12">Rom. x. 12</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>he gives us richly all things to enjoy</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+6:17">1 Tim. vi. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
is not only a benefactor, but a bountiful one, not only <I>gives us the
|
|
things we need,</I> but <I>gives us to enjoy them</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+2:24">Eccl. ii. 24</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>He fills our hearts with food,</I> that is, he gives us food to our
|
|
hearts' content, or according to our hearts' desire; not merely for
|
|
necessity, but plenty, dainty, and variety. Even those nations that had
|
|
lost the knowledge of him, and worshipped other gods, yet he <I>filled
|
|
their houses, filled their mouths, filled their bellies</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+22:18,Ps+17:14">Job xxii. 18; Ps. xvii. 14</A>)
|
|
|
|
<I>with good things.</I> The Gentiles that <I>lived without God in the
|
|
world,</I> yet lived upon God, which Christ urges as a reason why we
|
|
should <I>do good to those that hate us,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+5:44,45">Matt. v. 44, 45</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those heathen had <I>their hearts filled with food;</I> this was their
|
|
felicity and satisfaction, they desired no more; but <I>these things
|
|
will not fill the soul</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+7:19">Ezek. vii. 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
nor will those that know how to value their own souls be satisfied with
|
|
them; but the apostles put themselves in as sharers in the divine
|
|
beneficence. We must all own that God fills our hearts with food and
|
|
gladness; not only <I>food,</I> that we may live, but <I>gladness,</I>
|
|
that we may live cheerfully; to him we owe it that we do not <I>all our
|
|
days eat in sorrow.</I> Note, We must thank God, not only for our food,
|
|
but for our gladness--that he gives us leave to be cheerful, cause to be
|
|
cheerful, and hearts to be cheerful. And, if <I>our hearts be filled
|
|
with food and gladness,</I> they ought to be filled with love and
|
|
thankfulness, and enlarged in duty and obedience,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+8:10,28:47">Deut. viii. 10; xxviii. 47</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> The success of this prohibition which the apostles gave
|
|
to <I>the people</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
By <I>these sayings,</I> with much ado, they <I>restrained the people
|
|
from doing sacrifice to them,</I> so strongly were these idolaters set
|
|
upon their idolatry. It was not enough for the apostles to refuse to be
|
|
deified (this would be construed only a pang of modesty), but they
|
|
resented it, they showed the people the evil of it, and all little
|
|
enough, for they could <I>scarcely</I> restrain them from it, and some
|
|
of them were ready to blame the priest, that he did not go on with his
|
|
business notwithstanding. We may see here what gave rise to the pagan
|
|
idolatry; it was terminating those regards in the instruments of our
|
|
comfort which should have passed through them to the Author. Paul and
|
|
Barnabas had cured a cripple, and therefore the people deified them,
|
|
instead of glorifying God for giving them such power, which should make
|
|
us very cautious that we do not give that honour to another, or take it
|
|
to ourselves, which is due to God only.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ac14_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac14_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac14_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac14_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac14_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac14_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac14_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac14_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac14_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ac14_28"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Paul Stoned at Lystra; The Disciples Exhorted and Encouraged; Paul and Barnabas Ordain Elders.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>19 And there came thither <I>certain</I> Jews from Antioch and
|
|
Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew
|
|
<I>him</I> out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
|
|
20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up,
|
|
and came into the city: and the next day he departed with
|
|
Barnabas to Derbe.
|
|
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had
|
|
taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and <I>to</I> Iconium, and
|
|
Antioch,
|
|
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, <I>and</I> exhorting them
|
|
to continue in the faith, and that we must through much
|
|
tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
|
|
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and
|
|
had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom
|
|
they believed.
|
|
24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to
|
|
Pamphylia.
|
|
25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down
|
|
into Attalia:
|
|
26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been
|
|
recommended to the grace of God for the work which they
|
|
fulfilled.
|
|
27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church
|
|
together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how
|
|
he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
|
|
28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here a further account of the services and sufferings of Paul
|
|
and Barnabas.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. How Paul was stoned and left for dead, but miraculously came to
|
|
himself again,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:19,20"><I>v.</I> 19, 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
They fell upon Paul rather than Barnabas, because Paul, being the chief
|
|
speaker, galled and vexed them more than Barnabas did. Now observe
|
|
here,
|
|
|
|
1. How the people were incensed against Paul; not by any injury they
|
|
pretended he had done them (if they took it for an affront that he
|
|
would not let them misplace divine honours upon him, when they
|
|
considered themselves they would easily forgive him that wrong), but
|
|
<I>there came certain Jews from Antioch,</I> hearing, it is likely, and
|
|
vexed to hear, what respect was shown to Paul and Barnabas at Lystra;
|
|
and they incensed the people against them, as factious, seditious,
|
|
dangerous persons, not fit to be harboured. See how restless the rage
|
|
of the Jews was against the gospel of Christ; they could not bear that
|
|
it should have footing any where.
|
|
|
|
2. To what degree they were incensed by these barbarous Jews: they were
|
|
irritated to such a degree that the mob rose and <I>stoned Paul,</I>
|
|
not by a judicial sentence, but in a popular tumult; they threw stones
|
|
at him, with which they knocked him down, and then <I>drew him out of
|
|
the city,</I> as one not fit to live in it, or drew him out upon a
|
|
sledge or in a cart, to bury him, <I>supposing he had been dead.</I> So
|
|
strong is the bias of the corrupt and carnal heart to that which is
|
|
evil, even in contrary extremes, that, as it is with great difficulty
|
|
that men are restrained from evil on one side, so it is with great ease
|
|
that they are persuaded to evil on the other side. See how fickle and
|
|
mutable the minds of carnal worldly people are, that do not know and
|
|
consider things. Those that but the other day would have treated the
|
|
apostles as more than men now treat them as worse than brutes, as the
|
|
worst of men, as the worst of male-factors. To-day <I>Hosanna,</I>
|
|
to-morrow <I>Crucify;</I> to-day sacrificed to, to-morrow sacrificed.
|
|
We have an instance of a change the other way,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+28:1-16"><I>ch.</I> xxviii</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>This man is a murderer,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>;
|
|
|
|
no doubt <I>he is a god,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Popular breath turns like the wind. If Paul would have been Mercury, he
|
|
might have been enthroned, nay, he might have been enshrined; but, if
|
|
he will be a faithful minister of Christ, he shall be stoned, and
|
|
thrown out of the city. Thus those who easily submit to strong
|
|
delusions hate to receive the truth in the love of it.
|
|
|
|
3. How he was delivered by the power of God: When he was <I>drawn out
|
|
of the city, the disciples stood round about him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
It seems there were some here at Lystra that became disciples, that
|
|
found the mean between deifying the apostles and rejecting them; and
|
|
even these new converts had courage to own Paul when he was thus run
|
|
down, though they had reason enough to fear that the same that stoned
|
|
him would stone them for owning him. They stood round about him, as a
|
|
guard to him against the further outrage of the people--stood about him
|
|
to see whether he were alive or dead; and all of a sudden <I>he rose
|
|
up.</I> Though he was not dead, yet he was ill crushed and bruised, no
|
|
doubt, and fainted away; he was in a <I>deliquium,</I> so that it was
|
|
not without a miracle that he came so soon to himself, and was so well
|
|
as to be able to go into the city. Note, God's faithful servants,
|
|
though they may be brought within a step of death, and may be looked
|
|
upon as dead both by friends and enemies, shall not die as long as he
|
|
has work for them to do. They <I>are cast down, but not destroyed,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+4:9">2 Cor. iv. 9</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. How they went on with their work, notwithstanding the opposition
|
|
they met with. All the stones they threw at Paul could not beat him off
|
|
from his work: They <I>drew him out of the city</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
but, as one that set them at defiance, he <I>came into the city</I>
|
|
again, to show that he did not fear them; <I>none</I> even <I>of these
|
|
things move him.</I> However, their being persecuted here is a known
|
|
indication to them to seek for opportunities of usefulness elsewhere,
|
|
and therefore for the present they quit Lystra.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. They went to break up and sow fresh ground at <I>Derbe.</I> Thither
|
|
the next day <I>Paul and Barnabas departed,</I> a city not far off;
|
|
there they preached the gospel, there they <I>taught many,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
And it should seem that Timothy was of that city, and was one of the
|
|
disciples that now attended Paul, had met him at Antioch and
|
|
accompanied him in all this circuit; for, with reference to this story,
|
|
Paul tells him how fully <I>he had known the afflictions he endured at
|
|
Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+3:10,11">2 Tim. iii. 10, 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Nothing is recorded that happened at Derbe.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. They returned, and went over their work again, watering what they
|
|
had sown; and, having staid as long as they thought fit at Derbe, they
|
|
came back to Lystra, to Iconium, and Antioch, the cities where they had
|
|
preached,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now, as we have had a very instructive account of the methods they took
|
|
in laying the foundation, and beginning the good work, so here we have
|
|
the like of their building upon that foundation, and carrying on that
|
|
good work. Let us see what they did,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) They <I>confirmed the souls of the disciples;</I> that is, they
|
|
inculcated that upon them which was proper to confirm them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
Young converts are apt to waver, and a little thing shocks them. Their
|
|
old acquaintances beg they will not leave them. Those that they look
|
|
upon to be wiser than themselves set before them the absurdity,
|
|
indecency, and danger, of a change. They were allured, by the prospect
|
|
of preferment, to stick to the traditions of their fathers; they are
|
|
frightened with the danger of swimming against the stream. All this
|
|
tempts them to think of making a retreat in time; but the apostles come
|
|
and tell them that <I>this is the true grace of God wherein they
|
|
stand,</I> and therefore they must stand to it that there is no danger
|
|
like that of losing their part in Christ, no advantage like that of
|
|
keeping their hold of him; that, whatever their trials may be, they
|
|
shall have strength from Christ to pass through them; and, whatever
|
|
their losses may be, they shall be abundantly recompensed. And this
|
|
<I>confirms the souls of the disciples;</I> it fortifies their pious
|
|
resolutions, in the strength of Christ, to adhere to Christ whatever it
|
|
may cost them. Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Those that are converted need to be confirmed; those that are
|
|
planted need to be rooted. Ministers' work is to establish saints as
|
|
well as to awaken sinners. <I>Non minor est virtus quam quoerere parta
|
|
tueri--To retain is sometimes as difficult as to acquire.</I> Those
|
|
that were instructed in the truth must know the certainty of the things
|
|
in which they have been instructed; and those that are resolved must be
|
|
fixed in their resolutions.
|
|
|
|
[2.] True confirmation is confirmation of the soul; it is not binding
|
|
the body by severe penalties on apostates, but binding the soul. The
|
|
best ministers can do this only by pressing those things which are
|
|
proper to bind the soul; it is the grace of God, and nothing less, that
|
|
can effectually <I>confirm the souls of the disciples,</I> and prevent
|
|
their apostasy.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>They exhorted them to continue in the faith;</I> or, as it may
|
|
be read, <I>they encouraged them.</I> They told them it was both their
|
|
duty and interest to persevere; to abide in the belief of Christ's
|
|
being the Son of God, and the Saviour of the world. Note, Those that
|
|
are in the faith are concerned to <I>continue in the faith,</I>
|
|
notwithstanding all the temptations they may be under to desert it,
|
|
from the smiles or frowns of this world. And it is requisite that they
|
|
should often be exhorted to do so. Those that are continually
|
|
surrounded with temptations to apostasy have need to be continually
|
|
attended with pressing exhortations to perseverance.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) That which they insisted most upon was <I>that we must through
|
|
much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.</I> Not only
|
|
<I>they</I> must, but <I>we</I> must; it must be counted upon that all
|
|
who will go to heaven must expect tribulation and persecution in their
|
|
way thither. But is this the way to <I>confirm the souls of the
|
|
disciples,</I> and to engage them to <I>continue in the faith?</I> One
|
|
would think it would rather shock them, and make them weary. No, as the
|
|
matter is fairly stated and taken entire, it will help to confirm them,
|
|
and fix them for Christ. It is true they will meet with tribulation,
|
|
with much tribulation; that is the worst of it: but then,
|
|
|
|
[1.] It is so appointed. They must undergo it, there is no remedy, the
|
|
matter is already fixed, and cannot be altered. He that has the
|
|
sovereign disposal of us has determined it to be our lot that all that
|
|
<I>will live godly in Christ Jesus should suffer persecution;</I> and
|
|
he that has the sovereign command over us has determined this to be our
|
|
duty, that all that will be Christ's disciples must <I>take up their
|
|
cross.</I> When we gave up our names to Jesus Christ it was what we
|
|
agreed to; when we sat down and counted the cost, if we reckoned
|
|
aright, it was what we counted upon; so that if <I>tribulation and
|
|
persecution arise because of the word</I> it is but what we had notice
|
|
of before, it must be so: <I>he performeth the thing that is appointed
|
|
for us.</I> The matter is fixed unalterably; and <I>shall the rock
|
|
be</I> for us <I>removed out of its place?</I>
|
|
|
|
[2.] It is the lot of the leaders in Christ's army, as well as of the
|
|
soldiers. It is not only <I>you,</I> but <I>we,</I> that (if it be
|
|
thought a hardship) are subject to it; therefore, as your own
|
|
sufferings must not be a stumbling-block to you, so neither must ours;
|
|
see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+3:3">1 Thess. iii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Let none be moved by our afflictions, for you yourselves know that
|
|
we are appointed thereunto.</I> As Christ did not put the apostles upon
|
|
any harder service than what he underwent before them, so neither did
|
|
the apostles put the ordinary Christians.
|
|
|
|
[3.] It is true we must count upon <I>much tribulation,</I> but this is
|
|
encouraging, that we shall get through it; we shall not be lost and
|
|
perish in it. It is a Red Sea, but the Lord has opened a way through
|
|
it, for <I>the redeemed of the Lord to pass over.</I> We must go down
|
|
to trouble, but we shall come up again.
|
|
|
|
[4.] We shall not only get through it, but get through it <I>into the
|
|
kingdom of God;</I> and the joy and glory of the end will make abundant
|
|
amends for all the difficulties and hardships we may meet with in the
|
|
way. It is true <I>we must go by the cross,</I> but it is as true that
|
|
if we keep in the way, and do not turn aside nor turn back, we shall
|
|
<I>go to the crown,</I> and the believing prospect of this will make
|
|
the tribulation easy and pleasant.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(4.) <I>They ordained them elders,</I> or presbyters, <I>in every
|
|
church.</I> Now at this second visit they settled them in some order,
|
|
formed them into religious societies under the guidance of a settled
|
|
ministry, and settled that distinction between those that are taught in
|
|
the word and those that teach.
|
|
|
|
[1.] Every church had its governors or presidents, whose office it was
|
|
to pray with the members of the church, and to preach to them in their
|
|
solemn assemblies, to administer all gospel ordinances to them, and to
|
|
take the oversight of them, <I>to instruct the ignorant, warn the
|
|
unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, and convince gainsayers.</I> It is
|
|
requisite that every particular church should have one or more such to
|
|
preside in it.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Those governors were then elders, that had in their qualification
|
|
the wisdom and gravity of seniors, and had in their commission the
|
|
authority and command of seniors: not to make new laws (this is the
|
|
prerogative of the Prince, the great Lawgiver; the government of the
|
|
church is an absolute monarchy, and the legislative power entirely in
|
|
Christ), but to see to the observance and execution of the laws Christ
|
|
has made; and so far they are to be obeyed and submitted to.
|
|
|
|
[3.] These elders were <I>ordained.</I> The qualifications of such as
|
|
were proposed or proposed themselves (whether the apostles or the
|
|
people put them up) were judged of by the apostles, as most fit to
|
|
judge; and they, having <I>devoted</I> themselves, were solemnly set
|
|
<I>apart</I> to the work of the ministry, and bound to it.
|
|
|
|
[4.] These elders were ordained to them, to the disciples, to their
|
|
service, for their good. Those that are in the faith have need to be
|
|
built up in it, and have need of the elders' help therein--the
|
|
<I>pastors and teachers,</I> who are <I>to edify the body of
|
|
Christ.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(5.) <I>By prayer</I> joined with <I>fasting</I> they <I>commended them
|
|
to the Lord,</I> to the Lord Jesus, <I>on whom they believed.</I> Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Even when persons are brought to believe, and that sincerely, yet
|
|
ministers' care concerning them is not over; there is need of watching
|
|
over them still, instructing and admonishing them still; there is still
|
|
that lacking in their faith which needs to be perfected.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The ministers that take most care of those that believe must after
|
|
all commend them to the Lord, and put them under the protection and
|
|
guidance of his grace: <I>Lord, keep them through thine own name.</I>
|
|
To his custody they must commit themselves, and their ministers must
|
|
commit them.
|
|
|
|
[3.] It is by prayer that they must be commended to the Lord. Christ,
|
|
in his prayer
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+17:1-26">John xvii.</A>),
|
|
|
|
commended his disciples to his Father: <I>Thine they were, and thou
|
|
gavest them to me. Father, keep them.</I>
|
|
|
|
[4.] It is a great encouragement to us, in commending the disciples to
|
|
the Lord, that we can say, "It is he in whom they believed; we commit
|
|
to him those who have committed themselves to him, and who know they
|
|
have <I>believed in one who is able to keep what they</I> and we have
|
|
<I>committed to him against</I> that day,"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+1:12">2 Tim. i. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
[5.] It is good to join fasting with prayer, in token of our
|
|
humiliation for sin, and in order to add vigour to our prayers.
|
|
|
|
[6.] When we are parting with our friends, the best farewell is to
|
|
commend them to the Lord, and to leave them with him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. They went on preaching the gospel in other places where they had
|
|
been, but, as it should seem had not made so many converts as that now
|
|
at their return they could form them into churches; therefore thither
|
|
they came to pursue and carry on conversion-work. From Antioch they
|
|
<I>passed through Pisidia,</I> the province in which that Antioch
|
|
stood; thence they came into the province of <I>Pamphylia,</I> the
|
|
head-city of which was <I>Perga,</I> where they had been before
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+13:13"><I>ch.</I> xiii. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
and came thither again to <I>preach the word</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
making a second offer, to see if they were now better disposed than
|
|
they were before to receive the gospel. What success they had there we
|
|
are not told, but that thence they <I>went down to Attalia,</I> a city
|
|
of Pamphylia, on the sea-coast. They staid not long at a place, but
|
|
wherever they came endeavoured to lay a foundation which might
|
|
afterwards be built upon, and to sow the seeds which would in time
|
|
produce a great increase. Now Christ's parables were explained, in
|
|
which he compared the kingdom of heaven to a little leaven, which in
|
|
time leavened the whole lump--to a grain of mustard-seed, which, though
|
|
very inconsiderable at first, grew to a great tree--and to the seed
|
|
which a man sowed in his ground, and it sprung up he knew not how.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. How they at length came back to Antioch in Syria, whence they had
|
|
been sent forth upon this expedition. From Attalia they came by sea to
|
|
Antioch,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
And we are here told,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. Why they came thither: because <I>thence they had been recommended
|
|
to the grace of God,</I> and such a value did they put upon a solemn
|
|
recommendation to the grace of God, though they had themselves a great
|
|
interest in heaven, that they never thought they could show respect
|
|
enough to those who had so recommended them. The brethren having
|
|
recommended them to the grace of God, for the work <I>which they
|
|
fulfilled,</I> now that they had fulfilled it they thought they owed
|
|
them an account of it, that they might help them by their praises, as
|
|
they had been helped by their prayers.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. What account they gave them of their negociation
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>):
|
|
|
|
They <I>gathered the church together.</I> It is probable that there
|
|
were more Christians at Antioch than ordinarily met, or could meet, in
|
|
one place, but on this occasion they called together the <I>leading
|
|
men</I> of them; as the heads of the tribes are often called the
|
|
<I>congregation</I> of Israel, so the ministers and principal members
|
|
of the church at Antioch are called the <I>church.</I> Or perhaps as
|
|
many of the people as the place would hold came together on this
|
|
occasion. Or some met at one time, or in one place, and others at
|
|
another. But when they had called them together, they gave them an
|
|
account of two things--
|
|
|
|
(1.) Of the tokens they had had of the divine presence with them in
|
|
their labours: <I>They rehearsed all that God had done with them.</I>
|
|
They did not tell what <I>they</I> had done (this would have savoured
|
|
of vain-glory), but what God had done with them and by them. Note, The
|
|
praise of all the little good we do at any time must be ascribed to
|
|
God; for it is he that not only worketh in us both to will and to do,
|
|
but then worketh with us to make what we do successful. God's grace
|
|
can do any thing without ministers' preaching; but ministers'
|
|
preaching, even Paul's, can do nothing without God's grace; and the
|
|
operations of that grace must be acknowledged in the efficacy of the
|
|
word.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Of the fruit of their labours among the heathen. They told how
|
|
<I>God had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles;</I> had not only
|
|
ordered them to be invited to the gospel feast, but had inclined the
|
|
hearts of many of them to accept the invitation. Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] There is no entering into the kingdom of Christ but by the door of
|
|
faith; we must firmly believe in Christ, or we have no part in him.
|
|
|
|
[2.] It is God that opens the door of faith, that opens to us the
|
|
truths we are to believe, opens our hearts to receive them, and makes
|
|
this a wide door, and an effectual, into the church of Christ.
|
|
|
|
[3.] We have reason to be thankful that God has <I>opened the door of
|
|
faith to the Gentiles,</I> has both sent them his gospel, which is
|
|
<I>made known to all nations for the obedience of faith</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+16:26">Rom. xvi. 26</A>),
|
|
|
|
and has also given them hearts to entertain the gospel. Thus the gospel
|
|
was spread, and it shone more and more, and none was able to shut this
|
|
door which God had opened; not all the powers of hell and earth.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. How they disposed of themselves for the present: <I>There they abode
|
|
a long time with the disciples</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+14:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
longer than perhaps at first they intended, not because they <I>feared
|
|
their enemies,</I> but because they <I>loved their friends,</I> and
|
|
were loth to part from them.</P>
|
|
|
|
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