Acts 14:21-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 14:19-28

We have here a further account of the services and sufferings of Paul and Barnabas. I. How Paul was stoned and left for dead, but miraculously came to himself again, Acts 14:19, 20. 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... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 14:21-28

14:21-28 When they had preached the good news to that city and had made a considerable number of disciples they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch. As they went they strengthened the souls of the disciples and urged them to abide in the faith, saying, "It is through many an affliction that we must enter into the kingdom of God." In each church they chose elders, and, when they had prayed with fasting, they offered them to the Lord in whom they had believed. When they had gone... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 14:21

And when they had preached the Gospel to that city ,.... To the inhabitants of it, as they did in every place where they came, even the pure Gospel of Christ, the good news, and glad tidings of life and salvation by him: and had taught many ; or made them disciples, their ministry being blessed to bring many to the faith of Christ: they returned again to Lystra ; where Paul had been stoned: and to Iconium ; where both Jews and Gentiles, and the magistrates of the city, had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 14:22

Confirming the souls of the disciples ,.... Not wicked men in their wickedness, nor self-righteous persons in an opinion of their own righteousness, as sufficient for justification, both being contrary to the nature and tendency of the ministry of the word; the Gospel being a doctrine according to godliness, and a revelation of the righteousness of Christ; but the disciples and followers of Jesus, whom they had already made in those places, these they confirmed in the doctrines of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 14:23

And when they had ordained them elders in every church ,.... As soon as ever any number of disciples were made, or souls were converted to Christ in any place, they were at once formed, by the apostles, into a church state; and as the gifts, as well as the grace of the Holy Ghost, attended the ministry of the word, so among those that were converted, there were some that were honoured with ministerial gifts, qualifying them to preach the Gospel, and take upon them the care of the churches:... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:21

Preached the Gospel to that city - Derbe, a city in the same province. See on Acts 14:6 ; (note). They returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium - Behold the courage of these Christian men! They counted not their lives dear to them, and returned to do their Masters work in the very places in which they had been so grievously persecuted, and where one of them had been apparently stoned to death! The man who knows he is God's ambassador, and that his life depends on his fidelity to his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:22

Confirming the souls of the disciples - The word disciple signifies literally a scholar. The Church of Christ was a school, in which Christ himself was chief Master; and his apostles subordinate teachers. All the converts were disciples or scholars, who came to this school to be instructed in the knowledge of themselves and of their God: of their duty to Him, to the Church, to society, and to themselves. After having been initiated in the principles of the heavenly doctrine, they needed line... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:23

When they had ordained them elders - Elder seems to be here the name of an office. These were all young or new converts, and yet among them the apostles constitute elders. They appointed persons the most experienced, and the most advanced in the Divine life, to watch over and instruct the rest. But what is the meaning of the word χειροτονησαντες , which we translate ordained? The word ordain we use in an ecclesiastical sense, and signify by it the appointment of a person to an office in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:22

Verse 22− 22.And exhorting them. This was the principal way to confirm, in that they provoke the disciples who had before embraced the Gospel and did profess it, to go forward by exhorting them; for we are far from being so ready and stout − (45) as we ought. Therefore our laziness needeth pricks, and our coldness must be warmed. But because God will have his exercised with diverse combats, Paul and Barnabas admonish the disciples to be ready to suffer tribulation. A very necessary admonition,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 14:23

Verse 23− 23.When they had ordained elders. By this it appeareth sufficiently, that it is not enough if men have been once taught the doctrine of godliness, and to have [hold] the sum of faith, unless they go forward continually; therefore, Christ did not only send his apostles to preach the gospel, but he commanded also that there should be pastors appointed, that the preaching of the gospel might be perpetual and in daily use. Paul and Barnabas do mark that this order was set down by Christ,... read more

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