John Chrysostom — Commentary on Scripture

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

"But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren." Together with themselves now they took to stirring up the Gentiles too, as not being themselves sufficient. Then why did the Apostles not go forth thence? Why, they were not driven away, only attacked.

Acts 14:3 · 2 passages

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.

"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." This caused their boldness; or rather, of their boldness indeed their own hearty good-will was the cause - therefore it is that for a long while they work no signs - while the conversion of the hearers was the effect of the signs, though their boldness also contributed somewhat.

And see how on all occasions he refers all to God. "Long time," he says, "abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of His grace." Think not this expression, "Gave testimony," hath aught derogatory to the Lord's Divine Majesty: "Who witnessed," it is said, "before Pontius Pilate." Then the boldness - "and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands." Here he speaks it as concerning their own nation.

Acts 14:4 · 2 passages

But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

"But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the Apostles." No small matter this dividing. And this was what the Lord said, "I am not come to bring peace, but a sword."

"And the multitude of the city," etc. Accordingly they did not wait for it, but saw the intention of attacking them, and fled, on no occasion kindling their wrath.

Acts 14:5-7 · 2 passages

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,

They went away into the country, not into the cities only. Observe both the simplicity of the Gentiles, and the malignity of the Jews. By their actions they showed that they were worthy to hear: they so honored them from the miracles only. The one sort honored them as gods, the other persecuted them as pestilent fellows: and those not only did not take offence at the preaching.

"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, they were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: and there they preached the Gospel." Again, as if they purposely wished to extend the preaching after it was increased, they once more sent them out. See on all occasions the persecutions working great good, and defeating the persecutors, and making the persecuted illustrious. For having come to Lystra, he works a great miracle, by raising the lame man.

Acts 14:8-10 · 2 passages

And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

And yet in the case of the others, it was the reverse: for first receiving healing in their bodies, they were then taken in hand for cure of their souls, but this man not so. It seems to me, that Paul saw into his soul. "And he leaped," it says, "and walked." It was a proof of his perfect cure, the leaping.

"And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: the same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice" - why with a loud voice? that the multitude should believe - "Stand upright on thy feet." But observe, he gave heed, it says, to the things spoken by Paul. Do you mark the elevation of the man's mind? He was nothing defeated by his lameness for earnestness of hearing. "Who fixing his eyes upon him, and perceiving," it says, "that he had faith to be made whole." He was already predisposed in purpose of mind.

Acts 14:11-12 · 2 passages

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.

"And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius." I suppose Barnabas was a man of dignified appearance also. Here was a new sort of trial, from immoderate zeal, and no small one: but hence also is shown the virtue of the Apostles, and how on all occasions they ascribe all to God.

"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. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker." But this purpose was not yet manifest, for they spake in their own tongue, saying, "The gods in the likeness of men are come down to us": therefore the Apostle said nothing to them as yet.

Acts 14:13

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.

"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." But when they saw the garlands, then they went out, and rent their garments.

Acts 14:14-15 · 4 passages

Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

First by the sight they checked them, by rending their garments. This did Joshua the son of Nun upon the occasion of the defeat of the people. Then think not that this action was unworthy of them: for such was the eagerness, they would not otherwise have restrained it would not otherwise have quenched the conflagration. Therefore when need is to do something that is fit to be done, let us not decline it. For if even after all this they hardly persuaded them, if they had not acted thus, what might have been the consequence? For if they had not done thus, they would have been thought to make a show of humility, and to be all the more desirous of the honor. And observe their language, how in rebuking it is moderated, alike full of wonder and of rebuke. This above all it was that hindered them, the saying, "Preaching unto you to turn from these vanities unto God." We are men indeed, they say, but greater than these: for these are dead things. Mark how they not only subvert the false, but teach the true, saying nothing about things invisible-"Who made," say they, "heaven and earth, and th…

First by the sight they checked them, by rending their garments. This did Joshua the son of Nun upon the occasion of the defeat of the people. Then think not that this action was unworthy of them: for such was the eagerness, they would not otherwise have restrained it would not otherwise have quenched the conflagration. Therefore when need is to do something that is fit to be done, let us not decline it. For if even after all this they hardly persuaded them, if they had not acted thus, what might have been the consequence? For if they had not done thus, they would have been thought to make a show of humility, and to be all the more desirous of the honor. And observe their language, how in rebuking it is moderated, alike full of wonder and of rebuke. This above all it was that hindered them, the saying, "Preaching unto you to turn from these vanities unto God." We are men indeed, they say, but greater than these: for these are dead things. Mark how they not only subvert the false, but teach the true, saying nothing about things invisible-"Who made," say they, "heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein."

Let us imitate them: let us think nothing our own, seeing even faith itself is not our own, but more God's than ours. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and this," saith he, "not of ourselves; it is the gift of God." Then let us not think great things of ourselves, nor be puffed up, being as we are, men, dust and ashes, smoke and shadow.

"Which when the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you." See how on all occasions they are clean from the lust of glory, not only not coveting, but even repudiating it when offered: just as Peter also said, "Why gaze ye on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made him to walk"? so these also say the same. And Joseph also said of the dreams, "Is not their interpretation of God?" And Daniel in like manner, "And to me also, not through the wisdom that is in me was it revealed." And Paul everywhere says this, as when he says, "And for these things who is sufficient? Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think aught as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God."

Mark the vehemence with which all this is done by the Apostles: "rent their clothes, ran in, cried out," all from strong affection of the soul, revolted by the things that were done. For it was a grief, indeed a grief inconsolable, that they should needs be thought gods, and introduce idolatry, the very thing which they came to destroy! This also was a contrivance of the devil-but he did not prevail. But what say they? "We also are men of like passions with you." At the very outset they overthrew the evil. They said not simply, "Men," but "As ye." Then, that they may not seem to honor the gods, hear what they add: "Preaching unto you, that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, Who made heaven, the sea, and all things that are therein." Observe how they nowhere mention things invisible.

Acts 14:16 · 2 passages

Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

"Who in times past," etc. He names as witnesses even the years in their courses.

For they had learnt that one should study not so much to say somewhat worthy of God, as to say what is profitable for the hearers. What then? if He be Maker of all things, why does He not also attend to these things by His Providence? "Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways"-but wherefore He suffered them, this he does not say, for at present he keeps to the matter of immediate importance, nowhere bringing in the name of Christ. Observe, he does not wish to swell the accusation against them, but rather that they themselves should refer all to God.

Acts 14:17

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.

"Nevertheless, He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, giving you rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness." See how covertly he puts the accusation "in that He did good," etc. And yet if God did this, He could not have "let them alone;" on the contrary, they ought to be punished, for that, enjoying so great benefits, they had not acknowledged Him, not even as their feeder. "From heaven," he says, "giving you rain." Thus also David said, "From the fruit of their corn and wine and oil were they made to abound" and in many places speaking of Creation, he brings forward these benefits: and Jeremiah mentions first Creation, then Providence shown by the rains, so that the Apostle here discourses as taught from those Scriptures. "Filling," he says, "with food and gladness." With large liberality the food is given, not merely for a frugal sufficiency, nor stinted by the need.

Acts 14:18

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

"And saying these things, they scarcely stopped the multitudes"-indeed by this very thing they gained most admiration-"from sacrificing to them." Do you observe that this was the point with them to put an end to that madness?