Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 36:141 (Jan 1879)
Article: Notes On Acts 14:16, 17, 17:30, And Rom. 3:25, 26
Author: R. D. C. Robbins

BSac 36:141 (Jan 1879) p. 61

Notes On Acts 14:16, 17, 17:30, And Rom. 3:25, 26

Prof. R. D. C. Robbins

Acts 14:16. ̔̀Ος ἐν ταῖς παρῳχημέναις γενεαῖς εἴασε πάντα τὰ ἔθνη πορεύεσθαι ταῖς ὁδοῖς αὑτῶν, 17. Καίτοιγε οὐκ ἀμάρυρον ἑαυτὸν ἀφῆκεν ἀγαθοποιῶν, οὐρανόθεν ὑμῖν ὑετοὺς διδοὺς καιροὺς καρποφόρους, ἐμπιπλῶν τροφῆς καὶ εὐφροσύνης τὰς καρδίας ἡμῶν.

In the course of the ministry of Paul and Barnabas in Asia Minor, after being expelled from Antioch (13:50) and compelled to flee from Iconium (14:5-6, they continued their labors in Lystra and Derbe, and the adjoining regions (14:6). At Lystra a man who had been a cripple from birth was restored to perfect soundness, so that he “stood up “and “leaped and walked” (14:8–10). The result of this miracle was such that there seems to have been a general feeling, loudly expressed, that their gods, whose altars and images were near the gate of the city, had assumed human form, and were walking about amongst them. No wonder that, with this belief, immediate preparations were made for honoring them with a sacrifice.

But the horror of this idol worship, so opposed to the gospel which they preached, was so great that Paul and Barnabas, not listening to any insinuation which the spirit of evil may have made, that this reverence and regard might be turned to some good account whilst they themselves received it, instead of the idols overthrown, rushed out (ἐξεπήδησαν) of the house where they were, with the strongest indication Of their grief at the proceeding (διαῤῥήξαντες τὰ ἱμάτια αὑτῶν, vs. 14), and Paul forthwith addressed the assembled multitudes: Refrain, refrain; we are mere men like yourselves (ἄνθρωποι, not θεοὶ as you seem to suppose), and our object in coming among you is to turn you away from reliance upon

BSac 36:141 (Jan 1879) p. 62

these useless, dead idols (τούτων τῶν ματαίων), and commend to you ...