Commentary by Ron Beckham
 

Verse 1. "In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks."

Iconium was a city in South Central Asia Minor, visited by Paul and Barnabas on Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 13:51). On a subsequent visit, Paul and Silas stopped at Iconium to read the letter sent by the Jerusalem Council about the Judaizers, and they also read the letter at nearby Lystra. He would also take Timothy with him from Iconium, as his associate (Acts 16:1-5). The place was a chief city in the southern part of the Roman province of Galatia.

The disciples were still experiencing joy and the presence of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52) when they came to Lystra (the visit reflected in this verse), and they would have been experiencing strong emotions as they entered the synagogue. The Holy Spirit who filled them, emanated from them into the lives and hearts of those they met. This is shown in the many conversions which occurred among both Jews and non-Jewish people. It is the Holy Spirit who brings people to Christ. At our best, we are simply vehicles for the wonder of God.

Verse 2. "But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren."

There are many bitter people in the world, and a disturbing number of them can be found in Churches. The people of the Church don’t have an "exclusive" on bitterness, by any means – this is simply a bitter world, and unchanged people do attend Church. Bitterness is contagious and the "Jews" of this verse, not only chose unbelief for themselves, but they also became like a poison that harmed others, as well.

Unbelief vs. faith in God. There are many different kinds of sports in the world (football, wrestling, etc.) and most of them involve a contest in which one person or team loses, and the other wins. But the real contest in your life is unbelief vs. faith. There really is an enemy who wants to take away whatever faith in God you may have, and infect you with unbelief. These Jews had been ruined by their lack of faith, and, prompted by the enemy, they wanted to ruin others, too. Sin is contagious and does much harm.

Verse 3. "Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands."

Our impulse is to leave a place when we are not comfortable. If people don’t like us and they speak ill of us, we go away! This is true in jobs and marriage, where people divorce one another, just because they are not "happy" anymore. But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Iconium for quite a long time, even though Jews who "disbelieved" (verse 2) were poisoning the minds of the people against them. Disturbing things were happening, but they stayed as long as the Holy Spirit would have them be there.

The Lord was in them and in their words, and He provided ample proof that He was with them. Sometimes "signs and wonders" are demonstrated in the healing of people, either directly or through surgical procedures. Other times (and these are the greater wonders) it’s expressed in the miracle of changed hearts and lives. Ultimately, you will KNOW when you are in the center of God’s will, and you will stay, even when your enemies want you to be gone.

Verse 4. "But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles."

Most of the world is against the Lord and His Word, and this will continue until the Lord returns. But there are times of renewal, when people like Barnabas and Paul truly LISTEN to the Holy Spirit of God. Such men are willing to GO, as He leads. The hearts of many are touched and people do turn to the Lord. Others will not turn, but our job is only to tell them – the turning is done by the Holy Spirit of God.

As more come to the Lord, opposition to the work of God will increase, for the enemy will renew his efforts also. There is indeed an enemy, and he is actively opposed to those who receive faith in God. In a revival, believers in Christ will draw strength from the Lord. The enemy’s followers will draw strength from one another and from him. The people of Iconium were headed for a confrontation.

Verse 5. "And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them,"

Both the "Gentiles" and the "Jews" with their leaders, would now try to harm Barnabas and Paul, and would kill them, if possible. The enemy (the devil) will attempt to win the hearts of a people away from our God. But when the words of the enemy’s people (verse 2) don’t do the job, he will resort to violence (actually he LIKES violence, for he has been a murderer from the beginning). Note Paul and Barnabas performed "signs and wonders" (verse 3 – they helped those in need) and these "religious" people responded with a decision to murder them.

These "Gentiles" and "Jews" were each very religious people. Their beliefs differed but they were quite religious. The true definition of valid "religious" activity (in the sight of God) relates to those who help others and live clean lives (James 1:27). When you find "religious" adherents who oppose our Lord and His Word, there is a problem in their hearts. Something is just not right. When they resort to violence or lies to get their way, they are not His.

Verse 6. "they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region;"

Now, Paul was not a man who "fled" from anything. In this Chapter (verse 19), they stoned him and left him for dead. He took the hits and really had been dead, for all we know, but he got up (verse 20) and went back into the city. He left the next day, after a night’s sleep (verse 20), but he did not run. Paul was the kind of person we should be – a man of prayer; a man of courage; a man who followed the Holy Spirit of God.

When they heard about the plot against them, they would have immediately sought the Lord. Through Him, they would KNOW it was time to go. This is the kind of person you must become. If you are of God, you are "being led by the Spirit of God" (Romans 8:14). We must all learn to respond to His leadership, His authority In our lives, for He is speaking to you right now, just as surely as He did to Paul and Barnabas; ordinary people like you and me.

Verse 7. "and there they continued to preach the gospel."

They had come now to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia (verse 6), and the regions surrounding that area. Lystra was a Roman colony founded by Caesar Augustus. There was an aristocratic core of free Roman citizens in that place; men like Paul, and he would appeal to them. Lycaonia was a "conuentus" (division) of the Roman province of Cilicia, and Derbe was another town of the region.

They were preaching the good news (the gospel) there. Paul had been an aggressive personality for a long time, perhaps all his life. But now there was a difference – he had been surprised by the grace of God in Christ Jesus, and he would tell the world of His Lord. Jesus Christ is the most shocking and wonderful Person and event in history. We need to SEE that fact, and LIVE for HIM.

Verse 8. "At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother's womb, who had never walked."

This person with "no strength in his feet" is very similar to another "lame" man, who we previously studied in Acts Chapter 3. But there was an important difference between them, as we shall see in the next verse. Notice the care which Dr. Luke, the author of the Book of Acts, used to describe the man’s condition. Whether Dr. Luke personally saw these things or not is irrelevant, because he was a careful reporter who asked the right questions, and wrote the truth.

The man was sitting, unable to do anything else, for he had been lame (crippled in his legs) since birth. This was "from his mother’s womb" and Luke was careful to note he "had never walked." This was important, for the complete lack of use of those limbs would have deformed his legs terribly and the muscles and tendons themselves would have been distorted, unable to function.

Verse 9. "This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well,"

There is typically an "energy" which passes between a speaker and the audience. Not only is the audience looking at him, but the effective speaker will be intently focused on them and their needs. This relationship is greatly increased when the speaker is filled with the Lord, as Paul in this verse. He looked, in the power of the Holy Spirit, right into the heart of this man and "saw" he had the faith to be healed.

This is precisely the opposite of the man in Acts Chapter 3. In that case, the man seems to have not had any faith at all – the faith was in Peter, who lifted the surprised man up suddenly, and shouted "In the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk!" Peter was exercising the spiritual "gift of healing", but I think this incident with Paul was different. The way these verses present the restoration of this man, suggests the gift of "knowledge" was occurring – That is, Paul was allowed to KNOW the man was to be restored.

Verse 10. "said with a loud voice, ‘Stand upright on your feet.’ "And he leaped up and began to walk."

But the result was the same (see commentary on Verse 9), for much like Peter in Acts Chapter 3, Paul shouted "Stand up straight on your feet" (NKJV) and the man, lame from the womb, jumped up and WALKED! This should remind us of Isaiah 35:6, where the prophesy was given about the (then) future advent of Christ and the Church: "The lame shall leap like a deer". That certainly became true, for God sent His Son, and He does answer the prayers of His people.

In hospital rooms and in people’s lives, some are healed and others apparently aren’t. We’ve got to abandon our reliance on formulas which "define" God, and start trusting in Him. Our prayers are HEARD, and we WILL be changed (and so will others around us). We are to look to Jesus and not be swayed by mere circumstances. ALL will be healed; if not in this life, then in eternity. We don’t know how many years this man had been crippled, but he was now HEALED – If you don’t get an answer right away, keep on praying! You may yet be healed, and through the prayer, you will at last find peace.

Verse 11. "When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have become like men and have come down to us.’"

God simply ACTS in our lives on a continuing basis, and what we do is INTERPRET what we see. If Jesus did not hold all things together (Colossians 1:17), we would all be dead in an instant. Our minds are severely limited by our experiences and prejudices. Instead of praising God for this notable healing, these people looked to Barnabas and Paul, calling them "gods." We tend to do the same (venerate people), and we must remember that we are all simply PEOPLE, like Paul, trying our best and attempting to do the will of God. The Lycaonians were simply wrong, by the way, but at this point, they didn’t know any better.

Verse 12. "And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker."

Barnabas, who was larger than the diminutive Paul, was referred to as "Zeus" by the people. In Greek mythology, Zeus was the chief of the Olympian "gods" and was called "Jupiter" by the Romans. Centuries before, Antiochus Epiphanes, king of Syria (176-164 BC) had insulted the Jews by dedicating the Jerusalem temple to Zeus (2 Maccabees 6).

Paul was called "Hermes" (also known as "Mercury"), because he was the chief speaker. In Greek mythology, Hermes was the son of Zeus. As the "messenger" of the "gods", Hermes was said to have wings on his feet (and he was noted for his eloquence of speech). Hermes (or Hermas or Mercurius), was a common name at that time, because both the Romans and the Greeks tended to name their children after the "gods."

Verse 13. "The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds."

There was a lot of noise and excitement, as the people shouted the news about the formerly crippled man who had been healed (Acts 14:8-10). There is a belief-system among us, which teaches you can believe in pretty much ANYTHING, as long as you believe in SOMETHING. This pretty well sums up "eastern" religions and the "new age" movement. The enemy is real, and he intends to divert us from the free Gift of God (Jesus Christ) and focus our attention on the activities of people.

Here came the "priest of Zeus" with animals that were to be sacrificed to Barnabas and Paul. The man did not realize, as we should know in His Word, that the Sacrifice we need was already given by Christ. Our sacrifices may be sometimes admirable, but they do not make us right with God. We need to learn to not merely compliment the doctor or delight in our circumstances, but to THANK GOD and receive the Son, when His miracles fill our lives.

Verse 14. "But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out"

The tearing of clothing was a custom among the Jews, as an expression of outrage at unthinkable events, and there is an underlying truth in that custom we should adopt. Our outrage at the sins of this world, should be greater than our love of our possessions, or a desire for personal comfort. We should be concerned about the sin of this world, and ready to cry out against it, even if we lose something in doing so.

Paul and Barnabas were poor men. They had given up all they had for the kingdom of God. Their ability to acquire new things was limited (but of course, our potential for trust in God is without any limits at all). They tore their robes and rushed to correct the people, who had misinterpreted events in relation to the crippled man’s healing (Acts 14:8-10). We need to be quick to speak out (like Paul and Barnabas), and slow to merely protect ourselves and our reputation.

Verse 15. "and saying, ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.’"

It is important to realize we are just people. Those who speak at religious services, like those who listen – are just men. We all need to turn to God and be healed from our sins. We need to "tear our clothes" (as in verse 14), if we see people elevated, in the place of our God, Maker of heaven and earth.

The activity reflected in these verses is all too common. There is a widespread tendency to venerate people and forget that God gives the breath to all mankind. The words in this verse are pertinent for all: "We are also men with the same nature as you", and these are great words to take as our own. When we turn from venerating others (or ourselves), we turn from that which is "vain" in the sight of God.

Verse 16. "In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;"

Psalm 81:11-12 is an excellent Scripture that tells why God has allowed the nations (people like you and me) to walk in their own ways. It is because they (we) have rejected Him. He has given over the world "to walk In their own counsels." Because "My people would not heed My voice," they (we) have been sentenced to listen to ourselves.

We often try to live "moral" lives, away from God. He has allowed us to run the "ship" (when it was too large for us). He lets us go our own way, until finally exhausted, we fall into His arms of love. People often receive Jesus out of necessity, rather than for higher reasons, but He is faithful and performs the work of sanctification within us, because of His love and grace.

Verse 17. "and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness."

In Romans 1:19-20, we find that what may be known of God is "manifest" (easily seen), for "God has shown it" to us. "Since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes have been clearly seen, being understood by things which are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they (you and me) are without excuse." It is apparent to all of us that God is real and God is good.

Even the worst situations in life contain His mercy and grace. It eventually DOES rain for the farmer, even after the dry time. We at least have SOME food? I remember a man who was trying to hitchhike across the country and felt like he was starving to death! It was then he walked right into the bag of groceries in the middle of the sidewalk – waiting for him! Every good and perfect thing is from God. If we are honest, we will turn to the Son, and thank Him – forever!

Verse 18. "Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them."

In verse 17, we touched Romans 1:19-20, it was observed that God is easy to understand, for God has made Himself clearly seen. We often do not see, because we do not WANT to see. Romans 1:21 continues with these words: "Though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were they thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." To worship men is foolishness.

God was clear to those at Lystra, just as He is clear to you and me, but these Lystrams could scarcely be restrained from worshiping Paul and Barnabas (see preceding verses). There is something deep inside people that does not WANT to worship the true God. It’s easier to venerate people than it is to worship an All-Knowing, All-Powerful God. To love Him at first, it is typical to initially "fear" Him, because we discover who He really is.

Verse 19. "But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead."

In verse 18, we see that the enemy exploits us, by prompting us to look to men, rather than God. In verse 19, matters were taken one step further, for these so-called "religious" people (the Jews who attacked Paul) directly fought against the Lord; His Holy Spirit, and the man God sent to them. This was a conscious attack on the work of the Lord.

The enemy is still acting in this manner. We should be slow to venerate men and their works (preceding verses). We should be slow to condemn that which we do not understand; lest we fight against God. Those in Lystra, including those who came from Antioch and Iconium, did fight God, and stoned his messenger (Paul) to death. That he would not stay dead is a tribute to our God who was in him.

Verse 20. "But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe."

Paul was apparently dead (verse 19). If you’re hit with enough rocks, it’s probably the end. But to the astonishment of the disciples gathered around him (in shock and in prayer), he got up and led them back into the city. God is sovereign in everything, including the state we call "death". It is His ultimate will that we leave here and go to be with Him. Our ultimate healing is there, not here.

Verse 21. "After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,"

"They" (actually it was God in them) made many disciples in Derbe. Then came a return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. In all these places, they did not go there because they were interested in local customs (as we often do), or out of a liking for the food – they went as God directed them. We must learn to make our decisions from His perspective, rather than our own.

They "made many disciples" which should be the aim of us all. Not disciples of us, but of the Lord – to "feed" those in need. Jesus said "I am the bread of life" (John 6:48) and there are hungry people in this world. Personal comfort is nice, but it is infinitely better to carry our Lord to this sin-sick world, that many will receive the Healing Touch of the Son of God.

Verse 22. "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’"

A great work of the Church is expressed here, and it is also clearly seen in Ephesians 4:11-12 --- "He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers" and the purpose of all this is "for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry; for the edifying of the body of Christ." Our chief reason for these "spiritual gifts" is that we might help one another through the power of God.

And the message about building up the Church here in this verse is interesting: "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. There are those who teach we’re going to have an easy time of it, if we are in Christ. "If you have faith" they say, you’ll be "healthy" and "wealthy" at all times. That wasn’t true of our Lord when He was here, it wasn’t true for His apostles & disciples, and it is not consistent with this verse. The Lord will not allow us unnecessary harm, but this Christian life will not be a "rose garden" (far from it!).

Verse 23. "When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed."

God imparts power to His people. When we given positions of authority, we must recall that God delegates His authority to who are of the faith. We don’t have to do it alone. Paul & Barnabas did not have to somehow stay in all of those cities and lead the people, for God chose others who would lead His flock, in the absence of those two men of God. He does the same thing today.

Note that decisions about people are to be accompanied by prayer and fasting. Those who are to be used for the work of the Lord, must be committed by Him and to Him. We don’t just grab anybody who is willing to go – we pray about our actions, which should reflect His Choices in the lives of men.

Verse 24-25. "They passed through Pisidia and came into Pamphylia. When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia."

This was Paul’s second visit to Pisidia, which was a small mountainous inland Roman province in south Asia Minor. This was a heavily populated area, because it contained the important city of Antioch. Pamphylia was another province on the Mediterranean coast. People from Pamphylia were present at Pentecost (Acts 2:10).

Perga was the chief city of Pamphylia, located about 12-miles from the River Cestris, and this was the second visit of Paul and Barnabas to that place, as well. Attalia was a seaport of Pamphylia near Perga. They did not seem to be staying in one place very long, and they were probably establishing elders on these second visits, much like they did in the places reflected in Verse 23.

But it was not His will at that moment for Paul. It is not yet His will for you, for you are still reading these words, and are not gone. It is not His will for me, for at this moment, I am still writing. Our God turns death into life, and Paul knew this firsthand, as he went back into the city. And the next day, Paul calmly made his way to Derbe, accompanied by Barnabas.

Verse 26. "From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished."

The party of Barnabas and Paul was likely quite large at this time, and they settled for just a brief time at Attalia (Verse 25), a port city in Pamphylia, near Perga, in South Asia Minor. An important reason for their visit was to find a ship, which they did, and they sailed from that place to Antioch.

It was a group of Jews from Antioch who had been instrumental in the recent stoning of Paul at Lystra (Verse 19), but here he came again to Antioch, full of life and the Holy Spirit of God. This is the very place where the Holy Spirit spoke to the Church and commanded that Paul and Barnabas were to be separated from the others and sent to the Gentiles. The Lord had now led them back to what was essentially the beginning of their ministry together.

Verse 27. "When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles."

When I was much younger in the Lord, it was distressing that I did not know how to "witness" about my Lord, and I tried different "formulas" which did not work well for me. I lived in a state of constant tension, fearing I might be called at any moment to do what I could not do. Paul and Barnabas (and others) gave their witness to those of Antioch (as reported in this verse) and it was simply presented, as our testimony should also be.

They merely reported "all that God had done with them" (NKJV). They told with delight that "He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles." These days, a "witness" for me, is essentially what God has done in my life, blended with the promises of Scripture. What He has done for David & Abraham & Peter & Paul, He will do for you. This is the way I now talk to people about our Lord, and it is very powerful to relate what God has done PERSONALLY in and for us, in concert with the teachings in the Word of God.

Verse 28. "And they spent a long time with the disciples."

Our God will give you rest. To read 2 Corinthians 11:23-33, is to find that Paul endured a life of intense suffering, such as you and I would not want to endure. And yet, reading this verse, we find he had times of rest, peace, and he experienced the nurture of those who loved him. Best of all, he knew the Lord, who has said "I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28-30).

The Lord was giving this time to Paul, but REST is His intention for YOU, as well. When He said "Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28-30) – He was talking not only to people like the apostles - He was talking to you! Keep on looking to Him, and in the midst of the storm, He will give you rest. And gradually, like the rose that opens and is beautiful, you will open to the rest, the peace, and the love of our Lord.

Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
Ron@fridaystudy.org