A paraphrased study
1 - When they (Paul, Barnabas and others) arrived at Iconium they went to the Jewish/Hebrew synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving stirred up the people to turn their minds against the brothers. 3 Yet they remained for a long while, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness by granting signs and wonders be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided. Some sided with the unbelieving and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them, even to stone them, 6 they heard of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding countryside, 7 and there they continued to preach the good news.
8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He had never walked, being crippled from birth, 9 and he was listening to Paul speak. And Paul, seeing him, and looking intently at him, could see he had faith to be made well. 10 So he said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And the man sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice to them. 14 But when Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing this!? We are only men like you! We bring you good news! That you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past times he has allowed all nations to walk in their own way. 17 Yet he didn’t leave himself without witness. For he did good by giving rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
19 But soon some came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. (So quickly, from one extreme to the other! So easily swayed..) 20 But when the disciples gathered around him, he stood up and went back into the city. And on the next day, he and Barnabas went on to Derbe. 21 And when they had preached the gospel and made many disciples, they returned back through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch (of Pisidia), 22 strengthening the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders in every group, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they were believing.
24 After that, they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the message/logos in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 And from there they sailed to Antioch (of Syria) from where they had started, having been commended to the grace of God for the work they had been sent out to do. 27 And when they arrived, they gathered the believers together, and told all that God had done, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little while there with the disciples.
🗝️ [ ] - word/language insights, facts, cross references, etc.
( ) - thots
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