Acts 14:18

KJV

And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} with these {G5023} sayings {G3004} scarce {G3433} restrained they {G2664} the people {G3793}, that they had {G2380} not {G3361} done sacrifice {G2380} unto them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Even saying this barely kept the crowds from sacrificing to them.

Berean Standard Bible

Even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could hardly stop the crowds from sacrificing to them.

American Standard Version

And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 14:18 describes the intense struggle Paul and Barnabas faced in Lystra as they desperately attempted to prevent the local populace from offering pagan sacrifices to them, a profound demonstration of the deeply ingrained idolatry and superstitious beliefs prevalent in the Greco-Roman world, and the apostles' unwavering commitment to redirecting worship solely to the one true God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a dramatic episode in Lystra. Immediately preceding it, Paul miraculously heals a man who had been lame from birth, causing the Lystran people to mistakenly identify Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes, the messenger god, due to his eloquence. Overwhelmed by this perceived divine visitation, the Lystrans, led by the priest of Zeus, prepared to offer oxen and garlands at the city gates as a sacrifice to the apostles. Acts 14:14-17 describe Paul and Barnabas's horrified reaction, tearing their clothes as a sign of distress and vehemently protesting the blasphemous act, proclaiming the living God as Creator and urging the people to turn from their empty idols. Verse 18 then highlights the sheer difficulty they encountered in dissuading the fervent crowd. This event serves as a stark contrast to their reception in Iconium, where they faced opposition, highlighting the varied challenges of missionary work.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scene in Lystra is deeply rooted in the historical and cultural milieu of the Greco-Roman world. Polytheism was rampant, and the belief in gods interacting with humans, often appearing in disguise, was a common motif in mythology (e.g., Ovid's *Metamorphoses* recounts Zeus and Hermes visiting Phrygia). Lystra, a Roman colony in Lycaonia, would have been steeped in such pagan traditions, with local cults and temples dedicated to various deities. The act of offering sacrifices was central to their religious practice, a means of appeasing or honoring the gods. The Lystrans' immediate assumption that Paul and Barnabas were gods, and their subsequent attempt to sacrifice, underscore the pervasive syncretism and superstition of the era, where miraculous power was readily attributed to divine beings rather than a singular, unseen Creator God. The apostles' tearing of clothes was a culturally recognized sign of extreme grief, shock, or protest against blasphemy, as seen in Jewish tradition.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 14:18 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **Rejection of Idolatry**, a consistent biblical mandate. Paul and Barnabas vehemently refused to accept divine honors, echoing the Old Testament's condemnation of worshipping created beings rather than the Creator (e.g., [Deuteronomy 4:19](/deuteronomy/4-19 "Deuteronomy 4:19 - Warning Against Idolatry") and [Romans 1:25](/romans/1-25 "Romans 1:25 - Worshiping the Creature Instead of the Creator")). Secondly, it highlights the **Humility in Ministry** exemplified by the apostles. Despite being instruments of a profound miracle, they immediately deflected all praise and glory away from themselves, insisting they were merely men and that the power belonged to God alone. This models the posture of true servants of God, who are channels, not sources, of divine power, a principle seen throughout the New Testament, such as when Peter similarly rejects worship in [Acts 10:25-26](/acts/10-25-26 "Acts 10:25-26 - Peter Refuses Worship"). Lastly, the phrase "scarce restrained they the people" emphasizes the **Difficulty of Evangelism** in a pagan context. Even after a clear demonstration of God's power and a direct proclamation of the Gospel, the people were stubbornly attached to their ingrained traditions, illustrating the persistent challenge of leading people to [turn from idols to serve the living and true God](/1_thessalonians/1-9 "1 Thessalonians 1:9 - Turning from Idols to God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **mólis (Greek, _mólis'_):** This adverb, translated as "scarce" or "scarcely," indicates "with difficulty" or "hardly." Its use here emphasizes the extreme effort and struggle Paul and Barnabas had to exert to prevent the Lystrans from carrying out the sacrifice. It wasn't a simple request or gentle persuasion; it was an arduous, strenuous resistance against a determined crowd, highlighting the depth of the people's conviction that they were in the presence of gods.
* **katapaúō (Greek, _katapaúō'_):** Meaning "to settle down" or "to cause to desist," this verb is translated "restrained." In this context, it signifies the act of bringing the people to a halt, making them cease their intended action. The difficulty implied by `mólis` combined with `katapaúō` paints a picture of the apostles physically and verbally intervening with great urgency to stop the impending idolatry.
* **thýō (Greek, _thýō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to sacrifice," often implying by fire, but also broadly "to immolate" or "to slay for any purpose." Here, it refers specifically to the pagan ritual of animal sacrifice that the Lystrans were preparing to offer to Paul and Barnabas. The apostles' forceful restraint was aimed precisely at preventing this act of worship directed towards themselves, emphasizing the gravity of the intended blasphemy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And with these sayings":** This phrase refers to the preceding discourse of Paul and Barnabas, where they vehemently denied being gods, tore their clothes, and proclaimed the one true God as Creator (Acts 14:15-17). Their words were a direct refutation of the Lystrans' idolatrous intentions.
* **"scarce restrained they the people":** This highlights the immense difficulty and strenuous effort required by Paul and Barnabas to prevent the Lystrans from proceeding with the sacrifice. The people were so convinced and fervent in their desire to worship the apostles as gods that it took extreme measures to stop them.
* **"that they had not done sacrifice unto them":** This clause states the specific action that Paul and Barnabas barely managed to prevent. The Lystrans were on the verge of performing a pagan sacrifice, an act of supreme worship, directed at human beings whom they believed to be divine. The apostles' intervention was critical to prevent this blasphemous idolatry.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey the intensity of the moment. The phrase "scarce restrained they the people" utilizes **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis** to underscore the extreme difficulty Paul and Barnabas faced. It's not merely that they persuaded the people, but that they "hardly" or "with difficulty" managed to stop them, highlighting the profound depth of the Lystrans' pagan conviction and the apostles' desperate efforts. There is also a strong element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience (both Luke's original readers and us today) knows that Paul and Barnabas are mere mortals and servants of the true God, while the Lystrans are tragically mistaken in their worship. This creates tension and underscores the spiritual blindness of the pagan world. Furthermore, the entire scene functions as a **Contrast** between the true worship of the Creator God, which Paul and Barnabas advocate, and the misguided, idolatrous worship of created beings, which the Lystrans attempt.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 14:18 powerfully underscores the biblical imperative that worship is due to God alone, a foundational truth that permeates both the Old and New Testaments. The apostles' immediate and vehement rejection of divine honors serves as a stark reminder against any form of idolatry, whether it be the overt paganism of Lystra or the more subtle forms of misplaced devotion in contemporary society. Their actions affirm that true spiritual authority and power originate solely from God, and His servants are merely conduits, never the recipients, of worship. This incident highlights the constant tension between human tendencies to deify creation and God's exclusive claim to glory, demonstrating the unwavering commitment of early Christian missionaries to uphold God's sovereignty even in the face of profound cultural resistance.

* [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Commandment Against Idolatry")
* [Revelation 19:10](/revelation/19-10 "Revelation 19:10 - Worship God Alone")
* [Colossians 2:18](/colossians/2-18 "Colossians 2:18 - Warning Against False Humility and Worship of Angels")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 14:18 offers profound lessons for believers today, challenging us to examine the objects of our own devotion and to cultivate a deep-seated humility in our service to God. In a world that often elevates human achievements, charisma, or material success, this passage serves as a critical warning against the subtle, and sometimes overt, temptation to idolize individuals, institutions, or even our own accomplishments. It calls us to constantly redirect all praise and glory back to God, recognizing that any good we do, any gift we possess, or any influence we wield, is ultimately from Him and for His purposes. When we are used by God in powerful ways, the Lystran incident reminds us to immediately deflect any misplaced adulation, ensuring that God alone receives the honor due His name. This passage also encourages perseverance in sharing the Gospel, even when faced with deeply entrenched beliefs or resistance, reminding us that turning hearts to the one true God is a challenging but essential endeavor, requiring both boldness and humility.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What modern "idols" or misplaced objects of worship might we be tempted to elevate in our lives or culture, and how can we actively redirect our worship solely to God?**
* **How does the example of Paul and Barnabas challenge our own tendencies toward pride or seeking recognition in our service to God?**
* **In what ways can we, like the apostles, courageously and humbly speak truth to power or challenge prevailing cultural norms that contradict God's truth?**

### FAQ

**Why were the Lystrans so quick to believe Paul and Barnabas were gods, and what does this tell us about their worldview?**

Answer: The Lystrans' swift reaction stemmed from their deeply ingrained pagan worldview, which readily attributed miraculous events to divine intervention. As a Roman colony, Lystra was steeped in Greco-Roman mythology, where stories of gods (like Zeus and Hermes) visiting earth in human form were common. When Paul healed the lame man, the Lystrans interpreted this extraordinary power through their existing religious framework, seeing it as proof of divine presence. Their worldview was polytheistic and superstitious, making them prone to deifying powerful figures or phenomena. This highlights the significant cultural and theological chasm the apostles had to bridge in their evangelistic efforts, as they sought to introduce the concept of one invisible, true God to people accustomed to a pantheon of visible, interacting deities. Their response underscores the challenge of proclaiming the Gospel in contexts where people's fundamental understanding of divinity is vastly different from biblical truth, as shown in Paul's later sermon on Mars Hill in [Acts 17:22-31](/acts/17-22-31 "Acts 17:22-31 - Paul's Sermon on Mars Hill").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 14:18, with its vivid depiction of Paul and Barnabas vehemently rejecting human worship, powerfully foreshadows and illuminates the unique and exclusive worthiness of Jesus Christ as the only one truly deserving of all honor and glory. Unlike the apostles, who were mere men used by God, Jesus is God incarnate, the very image of the invisible God, in whom all the fullness of deity dwells bodily ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God"); [Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - The Fullness of Deity in Christ")). The Lystrans' misguided attempt to offer sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas stands in stark contrast to the ultimate sacrifice offered by Christ Himself on the cross, the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). While Paul and Barnabas deflected worship, Jesus consistently received and accepted worship, for He alone is Lord ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Universal Lordship")). This incident in Lystra, therefore, indirectly points to the singular majesty of Christ, emphasizing that only He, the Creator and Redeemer, is truly worthy of our adoration, our sacrifices of praise, and the complete devotion of our lives ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 44:16

[As for] the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.

Jeremiah 44:17

But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for [then] had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.

Genesis 19:9

And they said, Stand back. And they said [again], This one [fellow] came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, [even] Lot, and came near to break the door.

John 6:15

¶ When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

Exodus 32:21

¶ And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

Exodus 32:23

For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for [as for] this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

Genesis 11:6

And the LORD said, Behold, the people [is] one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.