Ministry in Iconium
Study note
In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas speak in the synagogue with such effectiveness that a great number of Jews and Greeks believe. However, unbelieving Jews stir up opposition among the Gentiles. The apostles stay for a long time, speaking boldly as the Lord confirms their message with signs and wonders. When a plot to stone them is discovered, they flee to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe.
1 The same thing happened in Iconium. Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke with such power that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the non-Jewish people and turned them against the believers. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
3 Despite the opposition, Paul and Barnabas stayed there for quite a while, boldly speaking for the Lord. God backed up their message by allowing them to do miraculous signs and wonders. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
4 The people in the city split into two groups. Some sided with the Jewish leaders. Others sided with the apostles. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5 A mob formed, made up of both Gentiles and Jews along with their leaders. They planned to attack Paul and Barnabas and stone them to death. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,
6 When Paul and Barnabas found out about the plot, they escaped. They went to Lystra and Derbe, cities in Lycaonia, and the area around them. They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
7 They kept right on telling people the good news there. And there they preached the gospel.
Healing and Mistaken Worship in Lystra
Study note
Paul heals a man crippled from birth in Lystra, and the crowd, speaking in Lycaonian, declares that the gods have come down in human form. They call Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercury and attempt to offer sacrifices to them. Paul and Barnabas are horrified and rush out to stop them, declaring they are merely human and urging the people to turn from worthless idols to the living God who created all things and has shown kindness through rain and fruitful seasons.
8 In Lystra, there was a man who had never walked a single step in his life. He had been unable to use his feet since the day he was born. And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
9 This man was sitting there listening to Paul talk. Paul looked right at him and could tell that the man believed he could be healed. The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10 So Paul called out in a loud voice, "Stand up on your feet!" The man jumped up and started walking around! Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
11 The crowd went wild when they saw what Paul had done. They shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down and are walking among us as human beings!" And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
12 They decided Barnabas must be Jupiter and Paul must be Mercurius, since Paul did most of the talking. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
13 The priest from the temple of Jupiter, which sat just outside the city, brought bulls and flower wreaths to the gates. He and the crowd were getting ready to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
14 When Barnabas and Paul realized what was happening, they ripped their clothes in horror and ran out into the crowd, yelling, Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
15 "Friends, stop! Why are you doing this? We are just ordinary human beings like you! We came here to bring you good news: turn away from these useless things and turn to the living God -- the one who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything that fills them." And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
16 "In earlier times, God allowed every nation to go its own way." Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
17 "But even then, he did not leave people without evidence of his goodness. He sent rain from the sky and gave you fruitful harvests. He kept your stomachs full and your hearts happy." Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
18 Even after all that, Paul and Barnabas could barely stop the crowd. The people wanted to offer gifts to them. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
Paul Stoned and the Return Journey
Study note
Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrive, turn the crowds against the apostles, and stone Paul, dragging him outside the city and leaving him for dead. But as the disciples gather around him, Paul rises and re-enters the city. The next day he and Barnabas leave for Derbe. After making many disciples there, they courageously retrace their steps through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening believers and appointing elders in every church. They teach that entering the kingdom of God requires enduring many hardships. Finally, they return to Antioch in Syria and report to the church how God opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
19 But then some Jews appeared from Antioch and Iconium. They convinced the crowd to turn on Paul. The mob stoned him and dragged his body outside the city, assuming he was dead. And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
20 But when the believers gathered around Paul's body, he got back up and walked right into the city! The next day, he and Barnabas left for Derbe. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
21 They preached the good news in Derbe and won many people to faith. Then they went back through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22 In each place, they encouraged the believers and strengthened their faith. "Becoming part of God's kingdom means going through plenty of tough times," they told them. Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
23 Paul and Barnabas appointed leaders in every church. After praying and going without food together, they placed these young churches in the Lord's care. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
24 They traveled through the region of Pisidia and arrived in Pamphylia. And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 After preaching the message in Perga, they went down to the coastal city of Attalia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
26 From Attalia, they sailed back to Antioch. That was the place where they had first been given over to God's grace for this mission. Now the mission was done. And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
27 When they got back, they called the whole church together and shared everything God had done through them. They were especially excited to tell how God had opened the door for non-Jewish people to come to faith. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
28 They stayed there in Antioch with the believers for a long time. And there they abode long time with the disciples.