Acts 14:26

KJV

And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thence {G2547} sailed {G636} to {G1519} Antioch {G490}, from whence {G3606} they had been {G2258} recommended {G3860} to the grace {G5485} of God {G2316} for {G1519} the work {G2041} which {G3739} they fulfilled {G4137}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the place where they had been handed over to the care of God for the work which they had now completed.

Berean Standard Bible

From Attalia they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had just completed.

American Standard Version

and thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 14:26 marks the triumphant return of Paul and Barnabas to Syrian Antioch, the home church that had commissioned them for their first missionary journey. This verse succinctly encapsulates the completion of their arduous yet fruitful endeavor, emphasizing that their entire mission, from its inception to its successful conclusion, was undertaken under the divine favor and enabling power of God's grace, underscoring both their accountability to the sending church and the providential hand guiding their apostolic work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 14:26 serves as a crucial concluding verse for the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, which began in [Acts 13:1-3](/acts/13-1-3 "Acts 13:1-3 - Paul and Barnabas Sent Out"). The preceding chapters detail their extensive travels through Cyprus and Asia Minor, encountering both fervent reception and severe persecution in cities like Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. Having appointed elders in the newly established churches (as seen in [Acts 14:23](/acts/14-23 "Acts 14:23 - Appointing Elders")), the apostles retrace their steps, strengthening the disciples and instructing them in the faith. This verse, therefore, signifies the formal completion of the mission, setting the stage for their report to the church in [Acts 14:27-28](/acts/14-27-28 "Acts 14:27-28 - Reporting to the Church in Antioch") and the subsequent Jerusalem Council in [Acts 15](/acts/15 "Acts 15 - The Jerusalem Council").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Syrian Antioch was a major Hellenistic city, a significant center of early Christianity, and a primary launching point for Gentile missions, distinct from Jerusalem, which was the hub for Jewish Christianity. The practice of a sending church commissioning missionaries was a vital aspect of early Christian expansion, reflecting a communal and accountable approach to evangelism. Missionaries like Paul and Barnabas would typically return to their sponsoring church to report on their activities, share testimonies, and discuss challenges and successes. The journey itself, involving sea travel and overland routes through often hostile territories, was fraught with danger and required immense physical and spiritual endurance, highlighting the dedication of the apostles and the protective hand of God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Acts. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Commissioning and Empowerment**, reiterating that the apostles' work was not merely human initiative but a divinely ordained mission, sustained by God's unmerited favor. The phrase "recommended to the grace of God" echoes their initial sending out in [Acts 13:3](/acts/13-3 "Acts 13:3 - Paul and Barnabas Commissioned"), reinforcing the consistent role of divine grace throughout their ministry. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Accountability and Community**, demonstrating that even apostles were accountable to the local church that sent them, fostering a healthy interdependence within the early Christian movement. Their return and subsequent report (in the following verses) exemplify this principle. Finally, the verse emphasizes **Faithfulness in Fulfilling the Mission**, as Paul and Barnabas "fulfilled" the work entrusted to them, despite facing numerous trials and persecutions, including stoning in [Acts 14:19](/acts/14-19 "Acts 14:19 - Paul Stoned at Lystra"). This speaks to the perseverance required in gospel ministry and the ultimate success of God's purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **recommended (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** From G3860, meaning "to surrender, i.e. yield up, intrust, transmit." In this context, it signifies that Paul and Barnabas were not just blessed by God's grace, but were actively "handed over" or "entrusted" to it. This implies a profound dependence on divine power and favor as the very agency through which they operated, highlighting that their mission was not merely human effort but a work sustained and empowered by God's unmerited favor.
* **grace (Greek, _cháris'_):** From G5485, denoting "graciousness," "divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life." Here, "the grace of God" refers to God's unmerited favor and enabling power that equipped, sustained, and protected Paul and Barnabas throughout their arduous missionary journey. It was the foundation of their calling, the source of their strength, and the reason for their success.
* **fulfilled (Greek, _plēróō'_):** From G4137, meaning "to make replete," "to cram," "to furnish," or "to finish (a period or task)." This word emphasizes the successful completion of the missionary task. Despite all obstacles and dangers, Paul and Barnabas brought their commissioned work to its full measure and intended conclusion, signifying a divinely-guided and accomplished endeavor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thence sailed to Antioch,"**: This phrase marks the geographical conclusion of Paul and Barnabas's first missionary journey. "Thence" refers to Attalia, their last stop before sailing. Their return to Antioch, specifically Syrian Antioch, signifies a homecoming to their sending church, completing the physical circuit of their evangelistic travels.
* **"from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God"**: This clause provides a crucial theological and historical link. It reminds the reader that Antioch was not just their starting point, but the place where the church, through prayer and fasting, had "committed" or "entrusted" them to God's grace for the work. This highlights the foundational role of divine favor and the church's spiritual investment in their mission, emphasizing that their journey was divinely sanctioned and sustained.
* **"for the work which they fulfilled."**: This final clause succinctly states the purpose and successful outcome of their mission. "The work" refers to the evangelism, church planting, and discipleship they had undertaken. The word "fulfilled" (Gk. _plēróō_) signifies that they brought this divinely appointed task to its completion, demonstrating their faithfulness and God's enabling power in accomplishing His purposes through them, despite the many hardships they endured.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 14:26 employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and significance. The verse functions as a point of **Narrative Closure** for the first missionary journey, bringing the extensive travelogue of Paul and Barnabas to a definitive end before the narrative shifts to their report. There is a strong sense of **Inclusio**, as the apostles return to the very place (Antioch) from which they were sent, creating a literary "bookend" for the journey that began in [Acts 13:1-3](/acts/13-1-3 "Acts 13:1-3 - Paul and Barnabas Commissioned"). This return also serves as a **Thematic Recapitulation**, reminding the reader of the divine grace that initiated their mission and sustained them throughout, reinforcing the idea that their work was not by human strength but by God's enablement. The concise phrasing of the verse, particularly "the work which they fulfilled," uses **Understatement** to describe the immense challenges and triumphs of their journey, allowing the reader to recall the preceding narratives of persecution and perseverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 14:26 powerfully reiterates the New Testament emphasis on divine grace as the foundation and enabler of all Christian ministry. Paul and Barnabas's successful completion of their mission was not due to their own strength, wisdom, or resilience alone, but because they were "recommended to the grace of God." This highlights that God's unmerited favor is both the source of our calling and the power for our service. It underscores the truth that while human effort and faithfulness are required, it is God who equips, sustains, and brings His purposes to fruition through His servants. The verse also implicitly connects to the communal nature of ministry, where individuals are sent out by the church and are accountable to it, fostering a healthy ecosystem of mutual support and shared mission.

* [1 Corinthians 15:10](/1_corinthians/15-10 "1 Corinthians 15:10 - By the Grace of God I Am What I Am")
* [2 Corinthians 3:5-6](/2_corinthians/3-5-6 "2 Corinthians 3:5-6 - Our Sufficiency Is From God")
* [Philippians 2:13](/philippians/2-13 "Philippians 2:13 - God Works In You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 14:26 offers profound insights for contemporary believers and the church. It calls us to a deep and abiding reliance on God's grace in every aspect of our lives and ministries. Just as Paul and Barnabas were "recommended to the grace of God," we too must recognize that our effectiveness in serving Him stems not from our own abilities or efforts, but from His enabling power and unmerited favor. This should cultivate humility and gratitude, preventing us from taking credit for what God accomplishes through us. Furthermore, the verse underscores the vital role of the local church in commissioning, supporting, and receiving those engaged in ministry. It reminds us of the importance of communal accountability and the shared joy in seeing God's work fulfilled. We are encouraged to be faithful in the "work" God has given each of us, persevering through challenges, knowing that He who called us is faithful to complete what He started.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you tend to rely more on your own strength than on the grace of God?**
* **How does your local church actively "recommend" or commission its members for ministry, and how does it receive them back?**
* **What "work" has God entrusted to you, and how are you faithfully striving to "fulfill" it, even amidst difficulties?**
* **How can reflecting on God's grace in the lives of Paul and Barnabas encourage you in your own walk of faith?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Paul and Barnabas returning to Antioch?**

Answer: The return of Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, specifically Syrian Antioch, is highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it marks the completion of their first missionary journey, bringing the narrative full circle to their sending church. Secondly, it demonstrates the principle of accountability within the early Christian community; they were commissioned by the church in [Acts 13:1-3](/acts/13-1-3 "Acts 13:1-3 - Paul and Barnabas Commissioned") and returned to report on what God had done through them, as detailed in [Acts 14:27](/acts/14-27 "Acts 14:27 - Reporting to the Church in Antioch"). This act reinforced the communal nature of ministry and the church's vital role in supporting and overseeing missionary endeavors. Finally, Antioch was a strategic center for Gentile missions, and their return helped solidify its role as a key hub for the expansion of the Gospel beyond Jewish communities.

**What does "recommended to the grace of God" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "recommended to the grace of God" (Greek: _paradídōmi_ to _cháris Theou_) is central to understanding the theological underpinning of their mission. It means they were "entrusted" or "committed" into the sphere and power of God's unmerited favor. This signifies that their entire missionary enterprise, from its initiation to its successful conclusion, was not based on human strength, wisdom, or resources, but was empowered, sustained, and protected by God's divine grace. It highlights that God's favor was the enabling agency for their difficult and dangerous work, ensuring that the glory for their accomplishments belonged solely to Him, as also seen in Paul's later reflections in [1 Corinthians 15:10](/1_corinthians/15-10 "1 Corinthians 15:10 - By the Grace of God I Am What I Am").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 14:26, while describing the completion of Paul and Barnabas's mission, points to the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ. The "work which they fulfilled" was the proclamation of the Gospel, the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Their reliance on "the grace of God" foreshadows the full revelation of grace embodied in Jesus, who is the very ["grace of God that brings salvation"](/titus/2-11 "Titus 2:11 - The Grace of God Has Appeared"). Their mission, though arduous, was a participation in Christ's ongoing work of building His church, for He promised that [the gates of hell would not prevail against it](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - I Will Build My Church"). Just as Paul and Barnabas were "recommended to the grace of God" for their specific task, all believers are entrusted to Christ, the source of all grace, for the greater work of reconciliation and discipleship. Their perseverance in the face of stoning and persecution (as seen in [Acts 14:19](/acts/14-19 "Acts 14:19 - Paul Stoned at Lystra")) mirrors Christ's own suffering and faithfulness to the Father's will, culminating in His perfect fulfillment of the Father's "work" on the cross ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It Is Finished")). Ultimately, the success of their mission, like all true spiritual fruit, testifies to the power of the resurrected Christ, who continues to work through His Spirit to gather His people from every nation, fulfilling the Great Commission He gave before His ascension ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission")).

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

Acts 15:40

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

Acts 11:19

¶ Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

2 Corinthians 1:12

¶ For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Acts 11:26

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Acts 13:1

¶ Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Acts 13:3

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away.

Romans 15:19

Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.