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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 14:1-7

In these verses we have, I. The preaching of the gospel in Iconium, whither the apostles were forced to retire from Antioch. As the blood of the martyrs has been the seed of the church, so the banishment of the confessors has helped to scatter that seed. Observe, 1. How they made the first offer of the gospel to the Jews in their synagogues; thither they went, not only as to a place of meeting, but as to a place of meeting with them, to whom, wherever they came, they were to apply themselves... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 14:1-7

14:1-7 It happened in Iconium that they went in the same way into the synagogue of the Jews and spoke to such effect that a great crowd of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. But the Jews who did not believe inflamed the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren. So then, they spent some considerable time boldly speaking in the name of the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace by causing signs and wonders to happen through their hands. The population of the city was torn in two.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 14:5

And when there was an assault made ,.... Or a strong bias and inclination were in the minds, both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews, with their rulers ; who encouraged them in it: to use them despitefully, and to stone them ; not only to give them reproachful language, but to smite, buffet, and scourge them, and to stone them for blasphemy, which was a punishment among the Jews for such causes. read more

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 14:1-28

The Word and the miracle. In the advancement of the kingdom of God on earth, whether by our Lord himself in the days of his flesh, or by the apostles after his ascension, two great instruments were in constant and simultaneous use—the preaching of the Word of God and the working of miracles. In the Gospels it is difficult to say which was the most prominent feature of our Lord's life—his preaching the Word or his mighty works of power. He himself places them side by side in his description... read more

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