Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 13]
or horizon, used by Paul of his call (Ro 1:1; Ga 1:15). The
Greek has \d•\, a shortened form of \•d•\ and like Latin _jam_
and German _doch_, now therefore. It ought to be preserved in the
translation. Cf. Lu 2:15; Ac 15:36; 1Co 6:20. \Moi\ is the
ethical dative. As in verse 1 Barnabas is named before Saul.
Both had been called to ministry long ago, but now this call is
to the special campaign among the Gentiles. Both had been active
and useful in such work. {Whereunto} (\ho\). Here \eis\ has to be
repeated from \eis to ergon\ just before, "for which" as Jesus
sent the twelve and the seventy in pairs, so here. Paul nearly
always had one or more companions.
13:3 {When they had fasted} (\n•steusantes\). Either finishing
the same fast in verse 2 or another one (Hackett), but clearly
a voluntary fast. {Laid their hands upon them} (\epithentes tas
cheiras autois\). Second aorist active participle of
\epitith•mi\. Not ordination to the ministry, but a solemn
consecration to the great missionary task to which the Holy
Spirit had called them. Whether the whole church took part in
this ceremony is not clear, though in 15:40 "the brethren" did
commend Paul and Silas. Perhaps some of them here acted for the
whole church, all of whom approved the enterprise. But Paul makes
it plain in Php 4:15 that the church in Antioch did not make
financial contribution to the campaign, but only goodwill. But
that was more than the church at Jerusalem would have done as a
whole since Peter had been arraigned there for his activities in
Caesarea (Ac 11:1-18). Clearly Barnabas and Saul had to finance
the tour themselves. It was Philippi that first gave money to
Paul's campaigns. There were still heathen enough in Antioch, but
the church approved the going of Barnabas and Saul, their very
best.
13:4 {So they} (\autoi men oun\). They themselves indeed
therefore. No contrast is necessary, though there is a slight one
in verses 5,6. Luke again refers to the Holy Spirit as the
source of their authority for this campaign rather than the
church at Antioch. {Sent forth} (\ekpemphthentes\). Old verb from
\ekpemp•\ and first aorist passive participle, but in the N.T.
only here and Ac 17:10. {Sailed} (\apepleusan\). Effective
aorist active indicative of \apople•\, old verb to sail away,
depart from. In the N.T. only here and 14:26; 20:15; 27:1.
Barnabas was from Cyprus where there were many Jews.
13:5 {Proclaimed} (\kat•ggellon\). Imperfect active of
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