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Acts 14:1-7 Paul and Barnabas are persecuted from Iconium by the

malice of the unbelieving Jews.

Acts 14:8-18 At Lidstra they heal an impotent man, and refuse

divine honours with abhorrence.

Acts 14:19,20 Paul is stoned at the instigation of the Jews, but

escapeth alive with Barnabas to Derbe.

Acts 14:21-28 Having passed through divers places, and confirmed

the churches in faith and patience, they return to

Antioch, and give an account of their ministry.

Iconium, a city in Lycaonia.

They went both together; Paul and Barnabas, as they were wont to do, showing as great constancy in performing of their duty, as their enemies did obstinacy in persecuting them for it.

So spake; with such evidence and demonstration of the Spirit and of power. The Greeks: See Acts 13:43.

The unbelieving, or disobedient, Jews, who did not believe the truths or obey the precepts of the gospel,

stirred up the Gentiles; urging, persuading, and pressing of them, who of themselves (though as yet ignorant of Christ, and his word) would not have been so cruel.

The brethren; the apostles themselves, and others that were converted by them, whose common father God through Christ was, and were accordingly endeared one to another.

Long time therefore abode they, to strengthen the new converts against the opposition they met with in the way of Christ, willingly partaking with them in their afflictions for Christ’s sake.

Speaking boldly; with great courage, and humble confidence, as knowing in whom they had believed.

In the Lord;

1. In the Lord’s cause, a business which he had sent them about. Secondly, And in the Lord’s strength, who enabled them in it. The word of his grace; the gospel: first, Wherein the grace of God is manifested.

2. Whereby it is offered.

3. Wherewith, to such as receive, it is conveyed.

4. And out of grace disputed and allowed to some, hidden and withdrawn from others.

Granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands; God, by his miraculous confirming the doctrine of the apostles, showed that it was from him.

Was divided; as it was about our Saviour and his doctrine, John 7:43.

The apostles; Paul and Barnabas, who were called to be apostles, 1 Corinthians 9:5,6.

Rulers, such as were called the chief men of the city, Acts 13:50.

To use them despitefully; thus they that were called to the marriage of the king’s son, Matthew 22:6, entreated the servants despitefully.

And to stone them; they would have used them as such who were not worthy to live, and then have taken away their lives from them, as they did by our Saviour; first they spat upon him, and then crucified him.

And fled; the apostles did not flee so much to save their lives, as to husband their time best for the glory of God in other places; and this they were commanded to do, Matthew 10:23,

When they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another. Lystra and Derbe; these were cities further in the country of Lycaonia than Iconium was.

Lycaonia; a part of the Lesser Asia, nigh unto the mountain Taurus.

Thus was verified what St. Paul observed, Philippians 1:12, that all those things fell out unto the furtherance of the gospel, which spread the further for the scattering of the apostles and preachers of it; and thousands had not heard of Christ, if persecution had not driven the ministers of the gospel unto them: God working good out of evil, and causing the sun, when it leaves one part, to shine upon another.

Such defects as are from nature, are incurable by art, and only to be helped immediately by the God of nature.

Who never had walked; this is observed and enlarged upon, to make the miracle the more appear to be the only work of God: Acts 3:2.