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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:5

An assault made - Ὁρμη , A desperate attempt was made by their rulers, i.e. by the heathen rulers of the people, and the rulers of the synagogue. To use them despitefully - To expose them, bring them into contempt, and make them appear as monsters, or movers of sedition; and then to stone them for this falsely alleged crime. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:6

They were ware of it - They were informed of the scheme, and of the attempt that was about to be made, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe; they did not leave the province of Lycaonia, but went to other towns and cities. Lystra lay to the south and Derbe to the north of Iconium, according to the general opinion. Strabo, Geogr. lib. xii., tells us expressly, that Iconium was within Lycaonia, Thence are the Lycaonian hills plain, cold, naked, and pastures for wild asses. About these places stands... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:2

Verse 2− 2.And those Jews which believed not Lo, they are persecuted now afresh, and that by the Jews, for they were like firebrands to inflame the minds of the Gentiles; for it is to be thought that the Gentiles could abide to hear the gospel preached, unless they had been incensed to resist by these fans. − (5) I interpret κακωσαι in this place for to resist − (6) with a malicious affection, or to enforce to do hurt. Under the name brethren, Luke comprehendeth, in my judgment, all the godly;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:3

Verse 3− 3.A long time. Luke declareth here, that Paul and Barnabas did not depart the city so soon as they saw some set against them, for when he saith that they behaved themselves boldly, he giveth us an inkling − (7) that there was cause of fear offered them. Whence we gather that they stood stoutly, and that through rare constancy and courage they counted all dangers as nothing, until they were compelled by violence to depart to another place. This clause, επι κυριω, may be expounded... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:4

Verse 4− 4.The multitude was divided. The most troublesome part of the tragedy − (9) followeth now, for the city is divided into two parts; and at length Paul and Barnabas (being enforced by the uproar of the people) depart unto another place. If it be demanded what was the original of the discord, assuredly it flowed from the gospel, to which, notwithstanding, there is nothing more contrary than to cause discord; but the forwardness of men causeth that the gospel, which ought to be the bond... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:5

Verse 5− 5.Mark how far forth the holy champions of Christ did suffer. They give not back when their enemies do only set themselves against them; but when the sedition waxeth hot, and they be in danger of stoning, though they have many favorers of their doctrine, they go no further, but remembering the saying of Christ, wherein he warneth the faithful in patience to possess their souls, they avoid the fury of the enemy. And though they fly, lest they − (13) throw themselves headlong into... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 14:1-7

Apostolic (ministerial) experience. I. THE PRIVILEGE OF PREACHING . The apostles at Iconium "so spake" ( Acts 14:1 ), i.e. wit such force, persuasiveness, fidelity, that "a great multitude believed" ( Acts 14:1 ); "they abode speaking boldly in the Lord" ( Acts 14:3 ), i.e. they urged the truth with fearless vigor, their confidence being grounded on God's presence and support; "there they preached the gospel" ( Acts 14:7 ). There is no vocation which any man can... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 14:1-7

The gospel at Iconium. There was a series of acts and events such as seem typical of the progress of the gospel elsewhere. I. FAITHFUL AND SUCCESSFUL PREACHING OF THE WORD . Many, Jews and Greeks, believed. This is the one test of true preaching. Is the truth "commended to the conscience"? Are great moral laws brought out distinctly, so that the heart of the people leaps up, in truth set free? He who preaches out of his heart alone reaches to the heart. The arguments that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 14:1-7

Faithful service: Iconium. I. The MAGNANIMITY of the preachers; though badly used by the Jews of Antioch, they still return good for evil. II. THE FIRST SUCCESS OF THE WORD , when there was no decided attempt to thwart it, a powerful testimony to its adaptation both to Jews and Gentiles. III. THE TENACITY AND ENDURANCE of the representatives of truth must be set over against the fickleness of their hearers and the obstinacy and envy of evil-minded men. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 14:1-7

The calm force of the gospel amid many distractions of men. This portion of the history names Paul and Barnabas to us for the first time as apostles ( Acts 14:4 ). It is noticeable also as substituting the expression, "preaching the gospel," for speaking "the Word of God" ( Acts 14:7 ). But it is remarkable much more as giving us such a distinct impression of the way in which the new truth, "the gospel," bore itself amid many a variety of opposition and unexpected combinations of... read more

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