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Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Acts 14:26-28

Acts 14:26-28And thence sailed to Antioch … And when they were come, and had gathered the Church together, they rehearsed all that God had done.Apostles and Crusaders at Antioch: a historical contrastIf when we contrast the voyage of Paul and Barnabas across the bay of Attalia with the voyage of those who sailed over the same waters eleven centuries later, our minds are powerfully drawn towards the pure days of early Christianity, when the power of faith made human weakness irresistibly strong,... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 14:12

12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Ver. 12. He was the chief speaker ] Gr. ηγουμενος του λογου , a master of speech. Paul was another Pericles, who thundered and lightened in his orations; a another Phocion, who was ειπειν δεινοτατος , saith Plutarch, a most powerful speaker; another Cyneas, who conquered more cities by his eloquence than his master Pyrrhus did by his puissance. In Rogers and Bradford, martyrs, it was hard to say... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 14:13

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. Ver. 13. And would have done sacrifice ] So the savages of Nova Albion, as they were very much taken with our singing of Psalms and other holy exercises (saith Sir Francis Drake) while we were among them; so when they could not prevail with us to stay longer there, they stole upon us a sacrifice, and set it on fire ere we were aware. We laboured... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 14:14

14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of , they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, Ver. 14. They rent off their clothes ] In token of their holy indignation and utter detestation; they knew the Lord’s jealousy would soon smoke against any that shall but cast a lustful look at his glory (which is as his wife, and which he will "by no means give unto another," Isa 42:8 ). By this act of theirs therefore they show how they abhorred the motion or mention... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 14:15

15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Ver. 15. Of like passions, &c. ] Passions are here put for whatsoever differenceth man from the Divine nature. read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 14:16

16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Ver. 16. Suffered all nations, &c. ] That we walk not as other Gentiles, in our own ways, but know and serve the true God, is of his singular grace and favour. The ancient inhabitants of this land were as barbarous and brutish as any under heaven. Cicero ( De Nat. Deorum ) parallels the Britons and Scythians. Jerome ever sets them in opposition to some other nation that is most tamed and civilized. Sed Britannorum... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 14:17

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. Ver. 17. He left not himself ] Here they might object, that God in suffering men so to wander, showed not himself so kind and bountiful. The apostle answers, that God had sufficiently sealed up his general love and goodness, in doing good, giving rain from heaven, &c. Stars are the storehouses of God’s good treasure, which... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 14:18

18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. Ver. 18. Scarce restrained they the people ] SeeActs 14:13; Acts 14:13 . Man’s nature is marvellously prone to idolatry, and the devil helps after; for he is ειδωλοχαρης , saith Synesius; for he knows that creature worship is devil worship,Psalms 106:37; Psalms 106:37 ; Revelation 9:20 . read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 14:19

19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Ver. 19. And there came thither ] The devil, when he is driven to his last shift, stirs up his instruments to use violence, which yet prevaileth not. And having stoned Paul ] At Athens, if the comedians pleased not the people, they were overwhelmed with stones. This was hard measure; yet such as ministers many times meet... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Acts 14:20

20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. Ver. 20. He rose up ] He starts up when stoned with a sic, sic oportet intrare; so heaven is gotten by pains, by patience, by violence, persecution being our inseparable companion. Sic petitur caelum. read more

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