23 When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you;
which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Now, brothers,{The word for "brothers" here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders of the assembly.
The elder, to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all those who know the truth;
The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
Lay hands hastily on no one, neither be a participant in other men's sins. Keep yourself pure.
Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain." And, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." Don't receive an accusation against an elder, except at the word of two or three witnesses.
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.
When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.
Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them." Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
He appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach,
But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.
and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you, to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.
beginning from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection."
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Acts 14
Commentary on Acts 14 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 14
We have, in this chapter, a further account of the progress of the gospel, by the ministry of Paul and Barnabas among the Gentiles; it goes on conquering and to conquer, yet meeting with opposition, as before, among the unbelieving Jews. Here is,
Act 14:1-7
In these verses we have,
Act 14:8-18
In these verses we have,
Act 14:19-28
We have here a further account of the services and sufferings of Paul and Barnabas.