Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 14]
entered the city to the surprise and joy of the disciples who
were willing to brave persecution with Paul. {With Barnabas}
(\sun t•i Barnab•i\). With the assistance of Barnabas. It was
plainly unwise to continue in Lystra so that they set out on the
next day (\t•i epaurion\, ten times in Acts), shaken and bruised
as Paul was. Derbe was some forty miles distant, near the pass to
the Cilician Gates.
14:21 {When they had preached the gospel to that city}
(\euaggelisamenoi t•n polin ekein•n\). Having evangelized (first
aorist middle participle) that city, a smaller city and
apparently with no trouble from the Jews. {Had made many
disciples} (\math•teusantes hikanous\). First aorist active
participle of \math•teu•\ from \math•t•s\, a learner or disciple.
Late verb in Plutarch, to be a disciple (Mt 27:57 like Joh
19:38) and then to disciple (old English, Spenser), to make a
disciple as in Mt 28:19 and here. Paul and Barnabas were
literally here obeying the command of Jesus in discipling people
in this heathen city. {They returned to Lystra and to Iconium,
and to Antioch} (\hupestrepsan eis t•n Lustran kai eis Ikonion
kai eis Antiocheian\). Derbe was the frontier city of the Roman
empire. The quickest way to return to Antioch in Syria would have
been by the Cilician Gates or by the pass over Mt. Taurus by
which Paul and Silas will come to Derbe in the second tour (Ac
15:41-16:1), but difficult to travel in winter. But it was
necessary to revisit the churches in Lystra, Iconium, Antioch in
Pisidia and to see that they were able to withstand persecution.
Paul was a Roman citizen though he had not made use of this
privilege as yet for his own protection. Against mob violence it
would count for little, but he did not hesitate. Paul had been
stoned in Lystra, threatened in Iconium, expelled in Antioch. He
shows his wisdom in conserving his work.
14:22 {Confirming} (\epist•rizontes\). Late verb (in LXX), in
N.T. only in Ac 14:22; 15:32,41, to make more firm, to give
additional (\epi\) strength. Each time in Acts the word is used
concerning these churches. {To continue in the faith} (\emmenein
t•i pistei\). To remain in with locative, old verb. It is
possible that \pistis\ here has the notion of creed as Paul uses
it later (Col 1:23 with \epimen•\; 1Ti 5:8). It seems to be
here more than trust or belief. These recent converts from
heathenism were ill-informed, were persecuted, had broken family
and social ties, greatly needed encouragement if they were to
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