Bible Commentaries

In Iconium there was largely a repetition of the experiences at Antioch. Becoming aware of the growing hostility, Paul and Barnabas passed on, and came to Lystra. There is a marked difference between Paul's address here and messages which he delivered to the Jews. In this he recognized and dealt only with Gentile position and thought. He described himself as a bearer of good tidings from the eternal God. Designating their gods, "vain things," he announced the living God.

With relentless anger, the persecuting Jews of Antioch and Iconium followed the apostle to Lystra. Here it is easy to read the statement, "They stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead"; but it was a fearful experience, and in all probability he would carry the marks of it with him to the end of his journey. How he must have remembered Stephen as the stones rained on him.

Nevertheless, this great missionary pressed forward as far as Derbe, and then turning back on his course, he revisited the very places where he had been submitted to persecution. As he did so, he told the people that "through tribulation we must enter into the Kingdom of God." What emphasis his own bruised body would lend to his word. The statesmanlike qualities of the apostle are manifested in this revisiting of the churches, establishing them, and appointing elders to take the oversight of affairs. Returning to Antioch, the two reported on their work, and so ended the fist missionary journey.