Acts 14:25

And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

And ^{G2532} when they had preached ^{G2980} the word ^{G3056} in ^{G1722} Perga ^{G4011}, they went down ^{G2597} into ^{G1519} Attalia ^{G825}:

After speaking the message in Perga, they came down to Attalia; and from there, they sailed back to Antioch,

And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia;

Acts 14:25 marks a pivotal moment in the conclusion of Paul and Barnabas's historic first missionary journey. This verse succinctly describes their final leg of travel before returning to their home base.

Context

Having traveled extensively through Galatia, establishing churches and strengthening new believers in cities like Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, Paul and Barnabas began their return journey. Instead of taking a direct route back to Antioch in Syria, they strategically revisited the cities where they had recently preached, confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith. Perga, a city in the region of Pamphylia, was one such place they had previously passed through (Acts 13:13) but now revisited to preach the full message. From Perga, they proceeded to Attalia, a significant port city on the Mediterranean coast, which served as their departure point for Antioch.

Key Themes and Messages

Persistent Evangelism: Even at the end of an arduous journey, Paul and Barnabas remained committed to their primary mission: to "preach the word." Their stop in Perga underscores the importance of thoroughness and seizing every opportunity to proclaim the Gospel.
Strategic Planning in Ministry: Their choice to return via these cities, culminating in Attalia, demonstrates a well-thought-out missionary strategy. Attalia provided the necessary maritime connection to return home, highlighting the practical aspects of their spiritual endeavors.
Completion of a Phase: This verse signifies the nearing completion of the initial phase of their apostolic work, bringing the first extensive outreach effort to a successful close before they would report back to the church in Antioch (Acts 14:27).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "preached the word" translates the Greek kerysso ton logon (κηρύσσω τὸν λόγον). Kerysso means "to herald" or "to proclaim as a public messenger," emphasizing the authoritative and public nature of their declaration. Logos, "the word," refers to the message of the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ and salvation through Him.

Practical Application

Acts 14:25 reminds believers today of several principles:

The Unfinished Task: The work of spreading the Gospel is continuous. Just as Paul and Barnabas preached wherever they went, Christians are called to share their faith in their spheres of influence.
Importance of Follow-Up: While not explicitly stated in this verse, their journey back through Perga implies a commitment to not just initial evangelism but also to the nurturing and strengthening of new believers. This highlights the ongoing need for discipleship.
God's Orchestration: Even seemingly mundane travel details, like going from Perga to Attalia, were part of God's larger plan for the spread of His word and the growth of the early church. Our daily paths can also be opportunities for divine purpose.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

No cross-references found for this verse.