Acts 14 KJV: The Cost of Ministry and the Consolidation of the Saints
Acts 14 chronicles the wild swings of public opinion in Lystra, where Paul and Barnabas are first worshipped as gods and then stoned almost to death. It highlights their return to the very cities that rejected them to appoint elders and strengthen the new disciples. The chapter ends with their return to Antioch, reporting the 'door of faith' God had opened to the Gentiles.
v1-7: Ministry and Division in Iconium
v8-18: The Miracle and Misunderstanding in Lystra
v19-20: The Stoning and Recovery of Paul
v21-28: Strengthening the Churches and the Return to Antioch
And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
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:
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.
And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
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.
And there they abode long time with the disciples.
Observe the incredible endurance of Paul as he gets up after being stoned and goes right back into the city to preach. Begin your study with acts 14 summary.
When the crowds tried to worship them as Zeus and Hermes, Paul didn't just reject the praise; he used their own pagan context to point toward the 'Living God.' The 'Word Secret' is *Cheirotoneo*, used for 'appointing' elders, which literally means 'to stretch out the hand' or vote by show of hands. Discover the riches with acts 14 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.
Unlock the hidden acts 14 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.
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