Tyndale Open Study NotesActs 14

• Paul and Barnabas traveled on their mission to the next town, Iconium (now called Konya). This city is east of Pisidian Antioch on a high plateau in south-central Asia Minor. Iconium was near several important trade routes.

• In their usual way, Paul and Barnabas began their ministry by speaking powerfully in the Jewish synagogue. Their teachings led to a positive response from both Jews and Greeks.

Once again, Paul and Barnabas faced Jews who opposed them. These people rejected the Christian message (the good news about Jesus) and also influenced the Gentiles to think wrongly about it.

• Because the apostles were sustained by the Holy Spirit, they were strong enough to confront verbal attacks. They continued to preach the good news that God's grace was for both Gentiles and Jews.

• boldly: The book of Acts often shows how the Holy Spirit gave courage to Christians (see 2:14; 4:9–10, 13; 7:2–53; 8:30–35; 9:27–28; 18:26; 19:8; 22:3–21; 23:1–6; 28:16–20, 23–31).

• The Holy Spirit also affirmed the Christian message with signs and wonders (compare 5:12–16; 15:12; 16:18; 19:11).

• Lycaonia was a southern region of the Roman province of Galatia. Its major cities were Lystra, Derbe, Laranda, and Iconium. Acts reports two more visits by Paul to Lycaonia (16:1–5; 18:23). Paul’s letter to the Galatians was probably addressed to scattered believers in the churches of Lycaonia (see Galatians Book Introduction, “Recipients”).

• Lystra was about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south or southwest of Iconium.

• Derbe was about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southeast of Lystra. It was on a busy main road that went from Iconium and Lystra towards the east to Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia.

Paul healed a man who could not use his feet. This is similar to an earlier event in 3:1–12. In Acts, Paul’s work is shown as similar to Peter’s work. The many signs and wonders done among the Jews were also done among the Gentiles.

saw that he had faith to be healed: Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, sensed the man's spiritual openness and hope for God's help and intervention (see 9:17).

Zeus was the main god worshiped in Lystra, and the city had a temple for him. The people thought Barnabas was Zeus, likely because he seemed more impressive or powerful. They thought Paul was Hermes because he was the main speaker.

The people of Lystra believed the gods were visiting them again. This idea comes from a well-known story by the poet Ovid. In that story, Zeus and Hermes visited the area but were not recognized, except by an old couple (see Ovid, Metamorphoses 8.616–724). Because of this, the people tried to honor Paul and Barnabas as gods.

The apostles opposed the people's worship of idols and their attempt to offer sacrifices to them. They directed the people's worship to the living God. The apostles were representatives of God as they shared the good news of the Christian message.

• The crowd changed their minds when some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and easily turned them against the apostles.

• They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city: Paul later referred to this time of persecution to teach a lesson (2 Timothy 3:11–12).

• presuming he was dead: That Paul got up and went back into the city suggests that God healed his wounds with a miracle.

the next day he left: Paul later returned to Lystra on his second missionary journey (16:1).

• The apostles worked hard to stay in contact with those who had declared their Christian faith. These new disciples needed care, support, and encouragement (15:32, 41; 16:40; 18:23; see 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 4:18; 5:14).

• Paul and Barnabas appointed elders: See “Church Leaders” Theme Note.

When Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch after their first missionary journey (a trip to share the good news and start churches), they gathered the church and gave a full report. They told how they had shared the good news and helped new believers grow as disciples. They gave credit to God, who had opened the way for Gentiles to believe (see 11:18; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12).

Similar reports always emphasized God's work through the ministries of his servants (Acts 15:4, 12; 21:19; see Romans 15:17–18; 1 Corinthians 3:5–9; 15:10–11).