I a 13:51-14:1-.Preaching. b 14:-1. Result. c 14:2. Opposition. a 14:3. Preaching. b 14:4. Result. c 14:5,6-. Opposition.
51: But they shook off the dust of their feet against them (no doubt of their or God's opinion of them), and came to Iconium (= little image. Now Konieh, the present [1915] terminus of the Bagdad railway. About 300 miles from Smyrna).
52: And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit.
14)
1: And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake (with great authority),
that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed (Gr. Hellên).
2: But the unbelieving Jews (i.e. the Judean Kenites = sons of Cain) stirred up the nations (Gr. ethnos. The Gr. reads, "stirred up and made evil affected the minds of the nations), and made their souls evil affected against the brethren. (= embittered, or poisoned)
3: Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in Yahaveh (indicating the subject of their discourse), Who witnessed to the word of His grace, and gave signs and wonders to be done by their hands. (Holy Spirit teaching Law of Grace)
4: But the multitude of the city was divided (Gr. schizõ, to tear; hene schisma, division. Divide and conquer, one of Satan's roles. See John 7:43; 9:16; 10:19): and some indeed were with the Jews (= the Kenites = the sons of Cain), but others with the apostles.
5: And when there was an onset made both of the Gentiles (Hellêns), and also of the Jews with their rulers (i.e. rulers of the Kenites), to insult them, and to stone them, (People will go to war over bad counsel and religion)
6: They having concidered it,
J O -6,7. Preaching. P d 8-10. Miracle. Healing. e 11-13. Deification. O 14-18. Reemonstrance. P e 19. Repudiation. d 20-. Miracle. Resurrection.
fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia (= wolfland. In the Gr. the order is "to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbr"), and to the region that lies round about:
7: And there they were preaching the gospel. (Never changing. They were itinerating to evangelize the whole district. Timothy was one of the converts, as, on the return visit, he is called a disciple [16:1])
8: And there sat a certain man in Lystra, impotent in his feet, being (the text omits) lame from his mother's womb, who never had walked (the text omits): (God uses selected miracles to convert unbelievers)
9: This one was hearing Paul speak: who gazing at him, and perceiving that he had faith to be saved, (He [Paul] could tell being a gifted teacher that he was)
10: Said with a loud voice (so all the people in the area could hear), “Stand straight on your feet.” And he leaped and began to walk. (This documents that he [Paul] is a messenger that God touched this one [not Paul] and healed him)
11: And when the crowd saw what Paul had did (One of Satan's little tricks. Paul didn't do it. Beware of persons that practice heathenism), they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in likened to men (The Lycaonians were no doubt familiar with the legend of Jupiter and Mercury's visit in disquise to the aged couple, Philemon and Baucis, the scene of whch was laid in the neighboring province of Phyrgia. See Ovid, Metam. VIII).
12: And they called Barnabas, Jupiter (Gr. Zeus. The father of the gods); and Paul, Mercurius (Gr. Hermês. The messenger of the gods.), because he was the chief speaker (Lit. the leader of the world, or message). (Don't make man something that they are not)
13: Then the priest of Jupiter, which (i.e. whose temple) was before their city, brought garlanded (floral crowned) oxen to the gates, and were desiring to sacrifice with the people.
14: But the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, having heard, they tore their clothes (cp. Matt.25:65), and rushed in (the text reads, "rushed out") to the people, crying out, (They are not going to let this stand. God works THRU us.)
15: And saying, “Sirs (cp. 7:26), why do you all these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach to you (Lit. evangelizing you) to turn from these vain things (see 1 Cor.3:20; 15:7. Tit.3:9. Jas.1:26. 1 Pet.1:18. 1 Kings 16:13,26. Jer.8:19. Jonah 2:9, &c.) to the living Elohim (or Yahaveh. Elohim = God as the Creator, Yahaveh = God in covenant relationship. Gr. Theos. This notable expression occ. 15 times in the O.T [#15 = Rest], and 16 times in the N.T. [#16 = Love]. It is noteworthy that it is used twice by Peter, once by Caiaphas, once in the Revelation, and the remaining 12 times by Paul [#12 = Governmental perfection]. The Lord uses the words "the living Father" in John 6:57. It is of course in contast with idols. Cp. Deut.32:40), Which made the heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in it:
16: Who generations passed away suffered all nations to walk in their own (heathen) ways. (God allowed it.)
17: And yet He left not Himself without witness, in that He doing good, and giving us rain from heaven, and fruit-bearing seasons, satisfying our hearts (or minds) with food and gladness.” (It rains on the just and unjust.)
18: And saying these things with difficulty made to cease they the people, that they had not done sacrifice to them. (He wouldn't put up with it)
19: But there came from that place certain Jews (= the Kenites = the sons of Cain) from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul (cp. 2 Cor.11:25), dragged him outside of the city, reckoning (this word, which occ. 15 ties, always means to conclude from custom, law, or evidence, never to imagine. See Luke 3:27) was dead, as was the fact. (Dead enough to have near-death expeirience.See 2 Cor.12:2-5)
20: But, as the disciples encircled him, having risen up (i.e. by Divine power), came into the city:
and on the next day (cp. Matt.10:23) he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. (He wasn't afraid)
21: And having preached the gospel to that city, and having made disciples of many,
they returned again to Lystra,
and to Iconium,
and Antioch, (They returned to these places to shore them up and go to a new level of understanding in God's Word)
22: Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that we must through much tribulation (see 7:10) enter into the kingdom of Elohim (or Yehovah, Gr. Theos, Eng. God). (Once a disciple has learned, there is no substitute for the Truth. You can see both sides. God convicts you with truth)
23: And having chosen them elders in every church (cp. Tit.1:5), and having prayed with fastings, they commended (cp. Luke 23:46) them to Yahaveh (Eng. the Lord), on whom they believed. (Faith organized it and turned it over to the LORD)
24: And having passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. (Gathering place of every trade)
25: And having spoken the word in Perga (= earthly),
they went down into Attalia (a town on the coast of Pamphylia):
26: And fromthat place sailed away to Antioch, from whichplace they had been committed (see John 19:30) to the grace of Elohim (see v.15) for the work which they fulfilled. (Pauls conversion and testing his faith. Taught the Word to a confused world )
27: And having come, and having gathered the church together, they recited whatsoever Elohim did with them (not man. Without God you are nothing), and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
28: And there they abode no little time with the disciples. (about 2 1/2 years.)
E Q 15:1-41. Dissention within. R 16:1-11. Lystra, and extended tour in Asia Minor. S 16:12-40. Philippi. T 17:1-14. Thessalonica and Berea. S 17:15-18:18-. Athens and Corinth. R 18:-18-19:12. Ephesus, and ext. tour in Asia Minor. Q 19:13-20. Oppositon without.
Q U¹ 1-35. Dissension about Circumcision. U² 36-41. Dissension about Mark.
U¹ e 1,2. Antioch. Judaizers. f 3-5. Appeal to Jerusalem. g 6-11. Council. Peter. h 12. Paul nd Barnabus. g 13-21. Council. James. f 22-29. Answer from Jerusalem. e 30-35. Antiock. Progress.
3: They indeed therefore being brought on their way by the church, they were through Phenice (i.e. Phenicia = land of palm trees. This shows they went by the coast road as far as Cæsarea) and Samaria (= watch mountain), declaring the conversion of the nations (Gr. ethnos): and they caused great joy to all the brethren. (This was good news)
4: And when they were come to Jerusalem (this was Paul's 3rd visit. Not by reveation. No Divine action), they were received by the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they related all things that Elohim (see 14:15) had done with them (i.e. as His instruments. God's Word changes things within WILLING servants).
5: But there rose up certain of those from the sect (= a choosing, hence "heresy". See 5:17) of the Pharisees which believed (i.e. in Jerusalem) (the word Pharisee is the Hebrew for one who was seperated by special beliefs and practices, which were very strict as to tithing and eating, &c. [see Matt.23:23. Luke 18:12]. It was for this reason that the Lord was upbraided by the Pharisees [Matt.9:9-11; 11:19. Mark 2:16. Luke 5:30; 7:34]. Doctrinally, they held that the oral law was necessary to complete and explain the written law; hence, the strong denunciations of the Lord. Moreover, they held the natual immortality of man; and, Josephus says, the transmigration of souls. The Essenes cultivated an intensified form of Pharisaism), saying, That it is needful to circumcise them, and to command them to observe the law of Moses.
6: And the apostles and elders were gathered together to see concerning this matter (Gr. logos). (At least they were talking)
7: And when there had been much disputing (or questioning. See v.2. Much feeling would be exhibited), Peter rose up, and said to them, “Men and brethren (see 1:16), you all know how that a good while ago (lit. from early days, i.e. about 13 years before) Elohim choose out (see 1:2) among us, that the nations through my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. (Father working with the people)
8: And Elohim, Which knows the hearts (= the Heart-searcher. See 1:24. "Heart" would be better translated "Mind"), bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit (both articles are present here, but used gramtically, referring back to 2:4 [the same gift]), as He did to us; (Cp. 2:6-8. The elect of the nations)
9: And discriminating in nothing between us and them, having cleansed their minds by the faith (cp. 10:15; 11:9. The Heart-searcher, i.e. the Mind-searcher is the Mind-cleanser. Letting you understand His truth).
10: Now therefore why tempt you all Elohim (Gr. peira õ, try, put to the test. Always trans. "tempt" up to this verse, except John 6:6 [prove]. Cp. 5:9), to lay a yoke upon the neck of the disciples (Not circumcision only, but obligation to keep the whole law), which neither our fathers nor we had strength to carry? (We couldn't live by the Law. Except for blood sacrifice [i.e. blood ordinances] which Christ fulfilled, Law is still in effect)
11: But we believe that through the grace of Yehoshua the Messiah we shall be saved, according to the manner in which they also will be.” (These are the last words of Peter recorded in the Acts. See his own argument turned against himself in Gal.2:14-21. We have racial problems because people do not respect other's rights and customs with dignity)
12: Then all the multitude kept silence (see 2:6), and were listening to Barnabas and Paul, declaring how many (or how great) signs and wonders (the word "miracles" should be confined to this word Gr. teras) Elohim (God) had wrought among the nations by them.
13: And after they had held their peace (same as kept silent in v.12), James (the less. See 12:17) answered, saying, “Men and brethren, hear me:
14: Simon (Gr. Sumeõn. Cp. 2 Peter 1:1) has declared how Elohim first visited the nations, to take out of them (read, to recieve out from among the nations) a people for His name.
15: And to this agree (see 5;9) the words of the prophets (only one prophet is quoted [Amos 9:11,12], but there are many similar predictions in Isaiah and others); as it has been written,
16: ‘After these things I will return (a Hebraism for "I will build again. Cp. Gen.26:18. Num.11:4. Return, Gr. anastrephê. Cp. 5:22. But elsewhere refers to passing one's life, except John 2:15 [overthrow]. Cp. the noun anastrophê. Always trans. "conversion", i.e. manner of life, of behavior), and will build up the tent of David (Gr. skênê, as in 7:43,44. Not the house or throne. Significant of the lowiness of its condition when He comes to rise it up), which is fallen down; and I will build up the ruins thereof (Lit. things dug down. The text reads "things overturned"), and I will make upright. (or straight. When Christ returns. See Gen.3:15):
17: That the residue (Gr. kataloipos. It is the faithful remnant) of mankind (Gr. anthrõpos. The Hebrew would be ãdãm, while the A.V. text of Amos 9:12,13 is Edom, but the consonants are the same, and the only difference is in the pointing. That ãdãm, not Edom, is right can hardly be questioned, or James would not have used it) might earnestly seek Yehovah, and all the nations (The nations take the second place. Zech.8:32), upon whom My name is called’ (cp. Jas.2:7. Deut.28:10. Jer.14:9), says Yehovah, ‘Who does all these things.’ (It was in the plan of God from the very beginning)
18: Known to Elohim are all His works (most texts read, "Who makes these things known from the beginning of the world", and omit "to God are all His works") from the beginning of the world (= from an [the] age. Gr. ap’ aiõnos. See Ezek 28).
19: Wherefore I judge (or decide), not to trouble (or harass, i.e. with the Mosaic law. See Col:2) them, which from among the nations are turning to Elohim:
20: But that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions (Gr. alisgêma. Polution would be caused by eating unclean [forbidden] food. Cp. v.29. 1 Cor.), and from fornication (in many cases the rites of heathenism involved unclanness as an act of worship. Cp. Num.25:1-15. Probably the worship of the Golden calf was of that character [Ex.32:6,25]. Worship God only!), and from things strangled (in this case the blood remained in the carcass, contrary to Lev.17:10-14), and from blood (This does NOT mean transfusions. Blood will putrify-cause sickness. If you are going to serve God you need to be healthy).
21: For Moses of old time (lit. ancient generations) has in every city (i.e. city by city) them that preach him (the question was whether Gentile [nations] converts, entering by the door of faith [14:27], could be saved by faith alone without the seal of faith [Rom.4:11]. In other words, whether they could belong to the family of believers [up to this time and later held as a strictly Jewish policy] without formal admission as "strangers" in accordance with Ex.12:43,44. The Epistle to the Hebrews was probably written to make the position clear to Hebrews and converts alike), being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day” (i.e. Sabbath by Sabbath).
22: Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send men chosen out of themselves to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabbas (perhaps a brother of Joseph of 1:23. See v.32), and Silas (so called in Acts. In the Epistles Silvanus. This was a Latin name, and he was a Roman citizen [16:37]), leading men among the brethren:
23: Having written (in v. 30 it is called "a letter": An edict) letters by them after this manner (the text omits); “The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting (Gr. chairen. Lit. to rejoice. Fig., I bid you to rejoice. Cp. French adieu, [I commend you] to God. Cp. 23:26. Jas.1:1) to the brethren which are of the nations throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
24: Forasmuch as we heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words (i.e. men's words), unsettling your souls (= you [emp.]), saying, ‘You all must be circumcised, and keep the law’ (the text omits): to whom we commanded it not:
25: It seemed good to us, having come to be with one accord (see 1:14), to send men chosen out to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26: Men that have hazarded (lit. having given up. Gr. paradidõmi. Often trans. "deliver up", or "betray". In v.40 and 14:26 "recommend") their lives in behalf of the name of our Lord Yashua (Jesus) the Messiah (Christ). (It was more difficult to be a Christian then. Today if you are a real good/true Christian, you have to be careful)
27: We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell (lit. themselves also telling.) you the same things by word of mouth.
28: For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us (i.e. the whole church), to lay upon you no greater burden except these compulsory things (Using common sense. Circumcision therefore was not compulsory);
29: That you all abstain from meats offered to idols (this explains what the pollutions were [v.20]. You know its an idol, so its ok for you to eat the food, BUT do not offend by doing in front of someone who believes otherwise), and from blood (Nothing new under the sun. Would you eat beef today if it was not bled?), and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which keeping carefully yourselves, you all shall do well. Fare you all well.” (Lit. be strong. The usual way of ending a letter. Good-bye.)
30: So having then been dismissed (i.e. let go), they came to Antioch: and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
31: And having read it, they rejoiced for the consolation (see 4:36; 13:15. Common sense will always wear or be recieved well).
32: And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren by means of many words, and strengthened them. (Once you open a mind)
33: And having continued some time (lit. made time), they were let go with peace from the brethren to the apostles. (Problem solved.)
34: Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. (The Word is fulfilling. This verse is ommitted by all the text. The R.V. puts it in the margin)
35: But Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of Yahaveh, with many others also.
36: And after certain days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city in which we preached the word of Yahaveh, and see how they fare.” (The beating he recieved didn't bother him)
37: And Barnabas purposed to take with them John (see 12:12), whose was called Mark.
38: But Paul thought not good (to reckon worthy, or right. He thought of him as a Johnny-come-lately) to take him with them, who fell away from them from Pamphylia (cp Luke 8:13), and went not with them to the work. (He took off)
39: And the contention was so sharp between them (But there arose such a sharp contention), so that they seperated from one another (Could it be that God split them up to double the coverage of the Word?): so Barnabas having taken Mark (he here disappears from the history), and sailed away to Cyprus;
40: And Paul having chosen Silas (= woody), departed, being recommended by the brethren to the grace of Elohim (the text reads "the Lord", i.e. Yehovah).
41: And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
