Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 14:3
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.
3. Long time therefore abode they ] There are two results described in this and the following verse as the consequences of the Jewish opposition. First, a long stay was necessary that by the words of the Apostles and by the mighty deeds following wherewith God confirmed them, the faith of the new converts might be fully established before the Apostles departed. Secondly, there came about a division among the people, the Christians and non-Christians became distinctly marked parties.
speaking boldly ] The original word expresses that “freedom of speech” for which the Apostles prayed (Act 4:29), and it is to be noted that as in their prayer so in God’s working, the freedom of speech is in close connection with the stretching forth of God’s hand to heal, and with the signs and wonders that were done in the name of Jesus.
the word of his grace ] i.e. the word of the truth of the Gospel, which is glad tidings, a word of grace. It is to be remarked that the signs mentioned here, as elsewhere, follow after the faith and do not precede it.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Long time therefore – It seems probable that there were here no forcible or public measures to expel them, as there had been at Antioch Act 13:50, and they therefore regarded it as their duty to remain. God granted them here also great success, which was the main reason for their continuing a long time. Persecution and opposition may be attended often with signal success to the gospel.
Spake boldly in the Lord – In the cause of the Lord Jesus, or in his name and by his authority. Perhaps, also, the expression includes the idea of their trusting in the Lord.
Which gave testimony – Bore witness to the truth of their message by working miracles, etc. Compare Mar 16:20. This was evidently the Lord Jesus to whom reference is here made, and it shows that he was still, though bodily absent from them, clothed with power, and still displayed that power in the advancement of his cause. The conversion of sinners accomplished by him is always a testimony as decided as it is cheering to the labors and messages of his servants.
Unto the word of his grace – His gracious word, or message.
And granted signs … – Miracles. See the notes on Act 2:22.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 3. Long time therefore abode they] Because they had great success, therefore they continued a long time, gaining many converts, and building up those who had believed, in their most holy faith; notwithstanding the opposition they met with, both from the unbelieving Jews and heathens.
Speaking boldly] , Having great liberty of speech, a copious and commanding eloquence, springing from a consciousness of the truth which they preached.
The word of his grace] The Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the doctrine of God’s grace, mercy, or favour to mankind.
And granted signs and wonders to be done] For no apostle could work a miracle by himself; nor was any sign or wonder wrought even by the greatest apostle, but by an especial grant or dispensation of God. This power was not resident in them at all times; it was only now and then communicated, when a miracle was necessary for the confirmation of the truth preached.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Long time therefore abode they, to strengthen the new converts against the opposition they met with in the way of Christ, willingly partaking with them in their afflictions for Christs sake.
Speaking boldly; with great courage, and humble confidence, as knowing in whom they had believed.
In the Lord;
1. In the Lords cause, a business which he had sent them about. Secondly, And in the Lords strength, who enabled them in it. The word of his grace; the gospel: first, Wherein the grace of God is manifested.
2. Whereby it is offered.
3. Wherewith, to such as receive, it is conveyed.
4. And out of grace disputed and allowed to some, hidden and withdrawn from others.
Granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands; God, by his miraculous confirming the doctrine of the apostles, showed that it was from him.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. Long time therefore abodetheybecause in spite of opposition they were meeting with somuch success.
speaking boldly in theLordrather, “in dependence on the Lord,” that is, ontheir glorified Head.
who gave testimony to theword of his gracea notable definition of the Gospel, whosewhole burden is GRACE.
and granted“granting,”that is, who confirmed the Gospel by granting miraculous attestationto it. (The “and” is wanting in the best manuscripts).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Long time therefore abode they,…. At Iconium, undaunted and not discouraged, at the treatment they met with: but continued,
speaking boldly in the Lord; using great freedom of speech, and showing great courage and intrepidity of mind; speaking out, without fear, the doctrines of the Gospel, in the name of the Lord, and depending upon strength, assistance, and support, from him:
which gave testimony unto the word of his grace; the Gospel, so called, because it is a publication of the grace and favour of God to the sons of men; in the choice of some of them to everlasting life, in the mission of his Son to redeem them, in the justification of them by his righteousness, and in the forgiveness of them through his blood, in the regeneration of them by his Spirit, in adopting them into his family, and making them heirs of eternal life; and because it is a means of implanting his grace in their souls; to this he bore witness, by giving it success, notwithstanding the opposition made against it, and by miracles wrought in confirmation of it, as follows:
and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands; such as healing the sick, curing the lame, casting out devils; and the like, whereby a testimony was given to the truth of the doctrine they preached: and it may be observed, that these miraculous works were not wrought by the power of the apostles, but by the power of God; they were only instruments by whom they were done; it was owing to a grant from the Lord, and to his power, that they were performed.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Long time therefore ( ). Accusative of duration of time (possibly six months) and note . There is an antithesis in (verse 4) and in verse 5 ( ). After the persecution and vindication there was a season of great opportunity which Paul and Barnabas used to the full, “speaking boldly” ( as in 13:46 at Antioch in Pisidia, “in the Lord” ( ), upon the basis of the Lord Jesus as in 4:17f. And the Lord Jesus “bore witness to the word of his grace” as he always does, “granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands” ( ). Present participle () and present infinitive () repetition of both signs and wonders (note both words) just as had happened with Peter and John and the other apostles (Acts 2:43; Acts 4:29; Acts 5:12; cf. Heb 2:4). The time of peace could not last forever with such a work of grace as this. A second explosion of persecution was bound to come and some of the MSS. actually have (a second time).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Long [] . See on Luk 7:6.
Abode. See on ch. Act 12:19.
In the Lord. Lit., upon [] the Lord : in reliance on him.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Long time therefore,” (hikanon men oun chronon) “Then for a considerable period of time,” of running timer for several sabbath days.
2) “Abode they speaking boldly in the Lord,” (dietripsan parresiazomenoi epi to kurio) “They stayed on and continued in Iconium speaking boldly in the Lord,” or relying on the Lord as they preached His word, expounded the scriptures as they testified of Jesus Christ, Joh 5:39. Tho stoned in Lystra, their previous mission stop, they boldly kept on, without falling out or quitting, Gal 6:9; Act 4:13; Act 4:29; Act 4:31.
3) “Which gave testimony unto the word of His grace,” (to marturounti epi to logo tes chritos autou) “Continually witnessing to the word of His grace,” or The Lord who gave testimony,” thru them to the word of His grace, Heb 4:12. O for holy, persevering boldness in witnessing among God’s people, in spite of adversaries. Ephesus had a “great open door – – – and many adversaries,” for Paul later, yet he entered that door without drawing back, 1Co 16:8-9; Isa 55:10-11.
4) “And granted signs and wonders,” (didonti semeia kai terata) “And gave (doled out) signs and wonders,” physical, visible, miraculous demonstrations of God’s approval of them as His emissaries, witnesses, or ambassadors, Joh 3:1-2; Mar 2:10-12. These powers were granted to the apostles and early church members, for a restricted purpose and limited time, which was until the New Testament was completed; See Commentary 1Co chapter 12-15 by author.
5) “To be done by their hands,” (ginesthai dia ton cheiron auton) “To come to occur through their hands,” the hands of Paul and Barnabas, to confirm their supernaturally directed ministry, Heb 2:3-4.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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3. A long time. Luke declareth here, that Paul and Barnabas did not depart the city so soon as they saw some set against them, for when he saith that they behaved themselves boldly, he giveth us an inkling − (7) that there was cause of fear offered them. Whence we gather that they stood stoutly, and that through rare constancy and courage they counted all dangers as nothing, until they were compelled by violence to depart to another place. This clause, επι κυριω, may be expounded diversely, either that they behaved themselves stoutly in the Lord’s cause, or that they trusted to his grace, and were thereby encouraged. I have followed that which was more common, that they behaved themselves freely and boldly in the Lord, that is, being holpen not by their own strength, but by his grace. He showeth immediately after, after what sort they were encouraged in the Lord; to wit, because [that] he approveth the doctrine by signs and miracles. For seeing that they knew thereby that the Lord was present with them, and that his hand was nigh to help them, they were worthily pricked forward to behave themselves stoutly. But in noting one kind, he doth not exclude other kinds, for the Lord did lift them up unto boldness, and establish them in constancy by other means. But it seemeth that Luke did speak of miracles expressly, because the Lord showed in them his power openly before all the people. Therefore, Paul and Barnabas were not a little emboldened when the Lord did so deliver their doctrine from contempt. −
Furthermore, we must note this phrase, that the Lord gave witness to the gospel in miracles, for it showeth the true use of miracles. This is, indeed, the first end, that they may show to us the power and grace of God; but because we be wrong and perverse interpreters of them, lest they be drawn unto abuse and corruption, God doth never suffer them to be separated from his word. For if miracles were wrought at any time without his word; first, that was very seldom; secondly, there came but small fruit thereof; and God hath wrought miracles, for the most part, whereby the world might know him not simply, or in his bare majesty, but in his word. So Luke saith, in this place, that the gospel was established by miracles, not that some confused religion might possess the minds of men, but that Paul’s doctrine going before they might be brought unto the pure worship of God. −
Whence we may easily gather how foolishly the Papists deal, when as they endeavor to lead away the world from the reverence of God and the gospel by bare miracles. For we must hold that principle, that those miracles which came from God at any time did never tend to any other end but that the gospel might have his perfect and full authority. −
Now must we see whether the gospel command us to call upon the dead, to burn incense to idols, to translate unto reigned saints the grace of Christ to take in hand vowed pilgrimages, to invent profane worshippings, whereof there is no mention made in the Word of God; but there is nothing more contrary to the gospel than that these superstitions should take place. Whereupon it followeth that the Papists do wickedly make engines of the shoars − (8) of the gospel to oppugn it. To the same end tendeth that which Luke saith, that the Lord granted that by the hands of his servants miracles might be done; in which words he teacheth that those were only ministers who obeyed God, and that he was the author, who used their hand and industry. Wherefore, in speaking properly, we cannot say that they were Paul and Barnabas’s miracles, but the miracles of God alone, who doth so work by men, that he will not have his glory darkened by their ministry. −
Furthermore, we must note the title of the gospel, which Luke putteth in here, that it may be made to us more amiable; for in calling it the word of grace, it hath a most pleasant taste, because salvation is offered to the world in it through Christ. And we must understand the contrariety with the law, wherein only the curse is set before us. Therefore, let us remember that God speaketh to us in the gospel to this end, that he may reconcile himself to us, and may testify that he is merciful to us.: Neither doth this hinder that it is the savor of death unto death to the reprobate, ( 2Co 2:16) because they change not the nature thereof by their fault. Read those things which we have spoken in the second chapter touching signs and wonders. −
(7) −
“
Innnib,” he intimates.
(8) −
“
Fulturis,” the props or stays.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(3) Long time therefore abode they.This can hardly be understood as involving a stay of less than several months, during which, Paul and Barnabas, as before, were working for their livelihood.
Speaking boldly.The boldness consisted, as the context shows, in a full declaration of the gospel of the grace of God as contrasted with the narrowing Judaism with which the Greek proselytes had previously been familiar.
Granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.It will be noted that here also, as so often elsewhere, the miracles that were wrought came as the confirmation of faith, not as its foundation.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘For a long time therefore they tarried there speaking boldly in the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.’
Meanwhile Paul and his party were able to continue on unafraid, encouraging the persecuted believers (‘the brethren’) and no doubt also themselves seeking to build up popular support. Thus they were able to remain there a long time, and continue to speak boldly in the Lord, bearing witness to ‘His grace’, that is, proclaiming the Good News of the unmerited favour that God had revealed towards man and what through His unmerited favour they could receive in Jesus Christ. At the same time the Lord backed them up by granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. These linked them with the ministries both of Jesus and of the Apostles Act 2:22; Act 2:43; Act 4:30; Act 5:12; Act 6:8; Act 7:36 compare Gal 3:4-5). The work of the same Holy Spirit was clearly going forward among the Gentiles.
‘In the Lord’ almost certainly refers to the Lord Jesus Christ, although the ambiguity is probably intentional. Jesus is ‘the Lord’ in every sense, and the word is the word of His grace (compare Act 13:43 where it was ‘the grace of God’).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 14:3. Long time therefore Some think the 2nd verse should be included in a parenthesis, and that the particle therefore, refers to the success which Paul and Barnabas had met with at Iconium, mentioned Act 14:1 as what induced them to continue preaching there for a long time: while others, who would make no breach in the connection, choose rather that the words should be rendered for indeed; and supposing the rage of the Jews to have been exasperated by their long stay and preaching there, they would render the beginning of the verse, for indeed they had tarried a long time, &c. But the connection may properly enough be preserved, though we retain the usual sense of the particle, as in our version; if we consider what is here expressed as an account of the great firmness and undaunted zeal with which these faithful ministers pursued their workthat since the Jews were so intent upon opposing them, and laboured to incense the Gentiles too against them, they therefore thought it needful to continue preaching with the greatest boldness, and to make the longer stay there, for the establishment and confirmation of the new converts, and for the vindication of their own character, and of the cause they were engaged in, from the injurious calumnies and aspersions of their neighbours, till they proceeded to such violent methods, that they no longer could remain with any safety there.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Act 14:3-4 . represents Act 14:3-4 as a consequence of Act 14:1-2 . “In consequence of that approval (Act 14:1 ) and this hostility (Act 14:2 ), they spent indeed ( ) a considerable time in free-spoken preaching (Act 14:3 ), but ( ) there arose a division among the multitude” (Act 14:4 ).
] states on what their bold teaching rested had its stay and support. See Bernhardy, p. 250. Hence as regards sense: freti Domino . Elsewhere in the N.T. with . may as well be Jesus (Heinrichs, Olshausen) as God (Grotius, Morus, Kuinoel); the mode of conception of the apostolic church admits both the former (Mar 16:20 ) and the latter. The latter, however, is preponderantly supported partly by Act 20:32 , where is to be referred to God , and partly by Act 4:29-30 , where . . likewise points to God . Comp. Heb 2:4 .
] who gave (practically confirmatory) testimony (comp. Act 10:43 , Act 13:22 , Act 15:8 ) to the word of His grace (to the gospel, Act 20:24 ), in granting that signs and wonders should be done by their hands . The second participle , added without copula, denotes the form , in which the was presented.
] comp. Joh 7:43 . “ Scinditur incertum studia in contraria vulgus.” Virg. Aen . ii. 39. Examples in Wetstein.
] and indeed .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
3 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.
Ver. 3. Which gave testimony to the word ] It is usual with St Luke to oppose the good success of the gospel to the malicious actings of the mad world against it; that God’s people might not be discouraged.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
3. . . . ] A pregnant construction: ‘speaking with boldness, which boldness was grounded on confidence in the Lord.’
is GOD: see ch. Act 4:29-30 , and ch. Act 20:32 , . .
, without , defines : viz. by giving, &c.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 14:3 . . : as a result from the two previous verses, the accession to their numbers and the disaffection. Blass sees in the aorists . and . a proof that the disaffected Jews succeeded in their attempts, and he asks if this was so, how were the Apostles able to remain? The answer is to be found, he thinks, in , see above, so Hilgenfeld, who holds that this reading makes it conceivable how Paul and Barnabas could continue their work. On with , peculiar to St. Luke, see p. 215. Ramsay sees the same force in the aorists, and therefore Act 14:3 seems so disconnected that he can only regard it as an early gloss similar to many which have crept into the Bezan text. He thus inclines to adopt here Spitta’s hypothesis, and to regard Act 14:1-2 ; Act 14:4-7 as a primitive document. The Bezan text is to him simply an attempt to remedy the discrepancy which was felt to exist between Act 14:2-3 , and it presupposes two tumults: one in Act 14:2 , and the other in Act 14:4-5 . But there seems nothing unnatural in taking as marking a result from the events of the two previous verses, not from the second alone, or in the extended stay of the Apostles in the divided city. (Wendt (1899) supposes that in the original source Act 14:3 preceded Act 14:2 , which makes the sequence quite easy. Clemen is much more drastic in his methods, and refers Act 14:2 and Act 14:4-6 a to his Redactor Antijudaicus.) .: speaking boldly in spite of the opposition of the Jews, see above on the verb, p. 242. , cf. Act 4:17-18 (elsewhere with ), the Lord being the ground and support of their preaching; Calvin notes that the words may mean that they spoke boldly in the cause of the Lord, or that relying on His grace they took courage, but that both meanings really run into each other. : difficult to decide whether the reference is to Jesus; Nsgen takes it so, not only on account of St. Luke’s usual way of giving Him this title, but also because the Acts speak expressly of the miracles of the Apostles as works of Christ, Act 3:16 , cf. Act 4:30 . On the other hand Meyer-Wendt appeals to Act 4:29 . Act 20:24 ; Act 20:32 (but for last passage see var. lect.), Heb 2:4 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
abode. Greek. diatribo. See note on Act 12:19.
speaking boldly. Greek. parrhesiazomai. See note on Act 9:27.
in. Greek. epi. App-104. Indicating the subject of their discourse.
Which. = Who.
gave testimony = witnessed. Greek. martureo. See p. 1511.
unto = to.
word. Greek. logos. App-121.
grace. Greek. charis. App-184.
granted = gave.
signs. Greek. semeion. App-176.
wonders. Greek. teras. App-176.
by. Greek. dia.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
3. . . .] A pregnant construction:-speaking with boldness, which boldness was grounded on confidence in the Lord.
is GOD: see ch. Act 4:29-30, and ch. Act 20:32, . .
, without , defines : viz. by giving, &c.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 14:3. [ , for no short time) not thinking that they ought to give way to violence.-V. g.]-, concerning [super]) The object.[83]-, who gave testimony) The Lord by the testimony of miracles confirmed the word of grace.- , unto the word of His grace) A noble definition of the Gospel.
[83] Engl. Vers. in the Lord, i.e. implying that their bold confidence rested upon the Lord.-E. and T.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
therefore: Act 18:9-11, Act 19:10, 1Co 16:8, 1Co 16:9
speaking: Act 13:46, Eph 6:18-20, 1Th 2:2
which: Act 2:22, Act 5:32, Mar 16:20, Heb 2:4
the word: Act 20:24, Act 20:32, Rom 1:16
granted: Act 4:29, Act 4:30, Act 5:12-14, Act 19:11, Act 19:12
Reciprocal: Pro 28:1 – the righteous Act 13:43 – the grace Act 15:8 – bare Act 18:11 – he Act 18:26 – to speak 2Co 3:12 – plainness 2Co 6:1 – the Gal 2:8 – the same Gal 3:5 – worketh Eph 6:19 – that I
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3
Act 14:3. Gave testimony was done as it was in Mar 16:20. This was necessary because the New Testament had not been produced, and something was required to prove that the preachers were not frauds.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 14:3. Long time. This first mission of Paul and Barnabas is computed to have occupied between three and four years (see the note on Act 14:27). The long time may well be supposed to have included several months.
In the Lord. Their patient bravery found its grand support in the protection of Christ. Sustained by the invisible blessing of the Master ruling from His throne in heaven, undismayed by dangers ever thickening around them, the undaunted apostles boldly proclaimed the Gospel.
And granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But, as was stated in Act 14:1, the great multitudes were converted by the preaching of the Gospel before any miracle was performed. The miracles were wrought by Christ as a sign of His approval of His servants work, apparently after the multitude had been gathered into His fold.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Note here, 1. The manner of the apostles’ preaching at Iconium: They spake boldly: that is, openly in the synagogues: and there with great freedom and plainness of speech asserted truth, condemned error, reproved sin, and denounced judgments against impenitent sinners; and this with a wise, but convincing boldness; with a meek, but zealous boldness; knowing, that if they had not now been bold for Christ, they could not at the great day be bold before him. That minister that is afraid to speak and plead for Christ now, will certainly be ashamed to look him in the face then. A serious thought of this, when we are going to preach, will make us shut all base fear out of the pulpit.
Note, 2. The time of their preaching at Iconium: it was not a single sermon or two, in transitu, but long time they abode, speaking boldly in the Lord. A constant course of preaching is needful to root that word which one or two sermons oft leaveth loose; the end of the ministry is to build up, as well as to bring in, and this is done by our constancy in preaching, and exemplariness in holy living.
Note, 3. How God honoured his word in the mouth of his ministers, confirming their doctrine by miracles: He gave testimony by the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. The miracles, which the apostles wrought, were the convincing cause of the credibility of the apostles’ testimony.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
3-7. This divided and excited state of the public mind continued during the whole time that Paul and Barnabas remained in the city. (3) “They continued there a long time, speaking boldly respecting the Lord, who bore testimony to the word of his favor, and granted signs and wonders to be done through their hands. (4) Yet the multitude of the city was divided: some were with the Jews, and others with the apostles. (5) But when an onset was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone time, (6) they, being aware of it, fled down to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and the surrounding country; (7) and there they preached the gospel.” In the rapid sketch which Luke is giving us of this rather hurried missionary tour, he makes no definite note of time, to indicate how long the two missionaries remained at any particular place. The above remark, that they continued in Iconium “a long time,” is the only note of the kind in the tour, and it is very indefinite. It only indicates that their stay here was long in comparison with that at most other places during this tour.
Though their preaching here was not as successful as might have been expected from the length of time employed, it received abundant attestations of the Lord’s approval. The proof of this fact adduced by Luke is quite different from that often adduced for a similar purpose by modern writers. Now, the proof that a man’s ministry is “owned and accepted” by the Lord, is found in the “abundant outpourings of the Spirit” which attend it; and this, in other words, means the number of “powerful conversions” with which it is rewarded. But the Lord’s method of bearing testimony to the word of his favor, according to Luke, was by “granting signs and wonders to be done” by the hands of the preachers; while not a word is said, either by him or any other inspired writer, of such a spiritual attestation as is now confidently referred to. This shows that our modern revivalists have confounded the attestations of the word by signs and miracles, which was common, in apostolic times, with the exciting scenes which now occur in their revivals. This mistake not only confounds things essentially different, but assumes that the apostles were accustomed to scenes of which they never dreamed. Moreover, it erects a false and very injurious standard by which to judge whether a man’s ministry is acceptable to God. If the preacher who is most successful in gaining converts is the one whose ministry is most acceptable to God, then there is not the same value in earnest piety, a blameless life, and watchful oversight of the flock which the apostolic epistles would lead us to believe; since it sometimes occurs that men who obtain the fame of great “revivalists,” are quite deficient in these essential characteristics of an acceptable minister of the Word.
The onset made by the multitude, like the similar proceedings in Antioch, was instigated by the unbelieving Jews, though effected chiefly by the Gentiles and the rulers of the city. The escape of the missionaries must have been narrow, and was probably owing to the kindness of some stranger, whom Paul and Barnabas may have remembered with gratitude, but whose name will not be known to the great world till the day of eternity.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Verse 3
Boldly in the Lord; through confidence in the Lord.–Gave testimony; by enabling them to perform miracles.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
14:3 {2} 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.
(2) We should not leave our places and give in to threatenings, or to open rage, but only when there is no other remedy, and that not for our own peace and quiet, but only so that the Gospel may be spread further abroad.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Because God was saving many people, the missionaries stayed on in Iconium "a long time" regardless of opposition that evidently increased gradually. They testified boldly (cf. Act 13:46) and relied on the Lord Jesus for their success. The phrase "the word of His grace" (Act 14:3) describes the gospel message stressing the prominence of God’s grace in it (cf. Act 20:24-32). They did many miracles there too thus confirming their message (cf. Act 2:43; Act 4:30; Act 5:12; Act 6:8; Act 8:6; Act 8:13; Act 15:12; Gal 3:5, 2Co 12:12; Heb 2:3-4).
". . . the couplet ’miraculous signs and wonders’ places the ministry of Paul and Barnabas directly in line with that of Jesus (cf. Act 2:22) and the early church (cf. Act 2:43; Act 4:30; Act 5:12; Act 6:8; Act 7:36) in fulfillment of prophecy (cf. Act 2:19)-as it does also in Act 15:12. Later when writing his Galatian converts (assuming a ’South Galatian’ origin for the letter), Paul appeals to these mighty works performed by the Spirit as evidence that the gospel as he preached it and they received it was fully approved by God (cf. Gal 3:4-5)." [Note: Longenecker, p. 432.]