Acts 13:46 - Exposition

And for then, A.V. and T.R.; spake out boldly for waxed bold, A.V.; be for have been, A.V.; seeing for but seeing, A.V. and T.R.; thrust for put, A.V. ; eternal for everlasting, A.V. Spake out boldly . Observe that Barnabas as well as Paul resented the unseemly opposition of the Jews. It was necessary . The necessity arose from the command of Christ ( Luke 24:47 ; Acts 1:8 ; Acts 3:26 ). It is in accordance with this purpose of God that St. Paul says of the gospel that "it is the power of God unto salvation … to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" ( Romans 1:16 ). Compare, too, our Lord's saying ( Matthew 15:24 ) and the woman's reply (ibid. 27). In point of fact, this had been the practice of Paul and Barnabas no less than of Peter, and was the very motive that had brought them to Antioch. Lo, we turn to the Gentiles . These were, indeed, bold words to speak in a Jewish synagogue; the speakers had doubtless sought courage from the Holy Ghost (see Acts 4:29 ).