Atos 14
Theophylact of Ohrid
Atos 14:1
They did not become more fearful, but again "went together into the Jewish synagogue." They customarily addressed their speech both to Jews and to Greeks. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:2
"The unbelieving Jews stirred up and embittered the hearts of the Gentiles against the brethren." They stirred up the Gentiles as well, not being content with rising up themselves. But the apostles did not leave the synagogue, since they were not being driven out, but were only being disputed with. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:3
"However, they stayed there for a considerable time, acting boldly." The boldness came from the apostles' devotion to the work of preaching. And the fact that those who heard them believed was a result of the miracles, though the very boldness of the apostles also contributed somewhat to this. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:4
What Christ spoke of came to pass: "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matt. 10:34). — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:6
"Having learned of this, they departed." There is nothing strange in the fact that the saints flee from people intending to plot against them, and consider it better to avoid a battle which they regarded, according to the testimony cited, as not permitted to them. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:9
As for the words "looking at him and seeing that he had faith to be healed," it seems to me that these words express the idea that Paul penetrated into his soul, because to attend to what Paul was saying was possible only for a philosophical soul. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:10
Why did Paul "say with a loud voice"? So that the people would believe. That the lame man jumped up is proof of a complete healing. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:11
"And the people, having seen what Paul had done." Notice, on the one hand, the simple-heartedness of the pagans, and on the other, the craftiness of the Jews. The former honored the apostles as gods, while the latter persecuted them as destroyers of order. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:12
"And they called Barnabas Zeus, and Paul Hermes." You see how it was customary among the Greeks to make gods out of men. Remember the origin of idol-worship, so as to give an answer when they ask whence idol-worship came. In the very same manner the Greeks were making gods out of men, even of the apostles. And the devil in the beginning in a similar manner strove to introduce this impiety into the world, saying: "You shall be as gods" (Gen. 3:5). And since he did not succeed at that time, from then on he has been pursuing this even until now, everywhere striving to introduce polytheism. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:14
Look: everywhere they are pure and free from vainglory; not only do they not seek glory, but they even deflect it from themselves when praise is offered to them. So Peter also said: "Why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk" (Acts 3:12)? And these apostles say the same thing, but act with a certain fervor: "they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out loudly." "They tore their garments." The Jews had a custom of tearing their garments when they heard blasphemous words. Thus, when Christ said that He was the Son of God, Caiaphas tore his garment, saying that Christ had uttered blasphemy against God. And since what had now happened was in a certain way blasphemy, following the Jewish custom, the apostles also did the same thing. This custom was rejected because it was not an ordinance of the law. And the Lord said to the Jews when they acted in this manner: "Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments" (Joel 2:12–13). — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:15
"Men! Why are you doing this? We too are men of like nature with you." We are men, they say, but we are above the idols, because they are dead. You see what a common occurrence it was among the Greeks to make gods out of men? Indeed, in their books, where their ancient history is recorded, you will find that Zeus, being a man, made himself a god, saying that he was a god. In exactly the same way, many of the Roman and Macedonian kings were called divine. Therefore there is no reason not to believe the ancient accounts that some of the nations were deceived and called certain men gods, just as these people were deceived by Barnabas and Paul. And Simon the sorcerer was called by the inhabitants of Samaria the great power of God. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:16
"Who in past generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways." "Allowed," it is said, but why He allowed, the apostle does not yet say, since he dwells mainly on what was urgently necessary, and nowhere yet mentions the name of Christ. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:17
"Although He did not cease to bear witness about Himself." He says this because in every generation He performed such works as led people to the truth. Without forcing free will, the Lord allowed all people to walk according to their own judgment, but He Himself constantly performed such works from which they, as rational beings, could come to know the Creator. The apostle calls even the annual rains witnesses of Him. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:19
Look at the frenzy of the Jews: they infiltrated the people who had shown such honor to the apostles and "persuaded" them to stone Paul. And they dragged him out of the city because they were afraid. Moreover, they were only trying to undermine the preaching. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:20
But do you see Paul's fiery zeal? After he was cast out of the city, he came again to that very same city, to show that if anywhere, in such cases, he did withdraw, it was because he had to sow the word of God and that it was not fitting to inflame wrath. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:22
"Through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God." Look: without labor and sorrows no one is justified. Therefore the gates leading to the Kingdom of Heaven the Lord also called narrow and strait (cf. Matt. 7:13), that is, full of hardships. But not every hardship or sorrow that one may encounter leads into the Kingdom of Heaven, but sorrow for the sake of faith in God. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:23
"Having ordained elders for them, they prayed with fasting." They taught to fast even during times of trial; ordinations were also accompanied by fasting. But in Cyprus they did not appoint elders, nor in Samaria either, as it was near Jerusalem and the apostles, and in Antioch itself the word of God was being strengthened. But here the newly converted, and especially those from among the Gentiles who needed edification, required great support. But pay attention to the fact that Paul and Barnabas held the rank of bishop, because they ordained not only deacons but also elders. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:27
"Having arrived there" (in Antioch) "and having gathered the church, they reported all that God had done with them." The apostle did not say: "what they had done," but "what God had done with them." "God opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." He calls the opening of the door the teaching which the Gentiles received through the apostles. — Commentary on Acts
Atos 14:28
"And they remained there no small time with the disciples." Since the city was great, there was a need for teachers there. — Commentary on Acts