Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 14:1
Verse 1. In Iconium] See the conclusion of the preceding chapter. So spake] kai lalhsai outwv. With such power and demonstration of the Spirit, that a great multitude both of the Jews, genuine descendants of one or other of the twelve tribes, and also of the Greeks, Æellhnwn, probably such as were proselytes of the gate, believed, received the Christian religion as a revelation from God, and confided in its Author for salvation, according to the apostles' preaching.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. And it came to pass in Iconium , etc.] When the apostles were got thither, and as soon as they were there; at least the first opportunity they had: that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews ; which was in Iconium; hither Paul and Barnabas went together, in like manner as they had done at Antioch: and so spoke ; such words, and doctrines of grace, with so much power, authority, and demonstration of the Spirit, with so much plainness, clearness, and evidence, as well as with so much boldness and courage: that a great multitude, both of the Jews, and also of the Greeks, believed : the doctrines they preached, and in Christ the sum and substance of them; and these were not a few, but a great multitude; and not of one sort, of the Jews only, who expected the Messiah, but of the Greeks, or Gentiles also, who never heard of any; for by Greeks here are meant, not Jews born in Greece, speaking the Greek tongue, and using the Greek Bible, for these were called Hellenists, and not Greeks, but Heathens. These converts laid the foundation of a Gospel church state in this place; for that there was a church here, is certain from ( Acts 14:21-23) In the “first” century, Sosipater is said to be bishop, or pastor of this church, and also Tertius, who are both reckoned among the “seventy” disciples of Christ; (See Gill on “ Luke 10:1”). In the “third” century, Celsus was bishop of this church; and in the same century, several synods were held here, about the error of Novatus; and in the same century, Nicomes bishop of this place, assisted at the council at Antioch, which condemned the heresy of Samosatenus f703 : in the “fourth” century there was a church in this place, and Amphilochius was bishop of it, of whom Jerom makes mention; and who read to him a book, concerning the deity and worship of the holy Spirit: in the “fifth” century, it was the metropolitan church of Lycaonia, and Valerianus and Onesiphorus presided over it: in the “sixth” century, a bishop of this church was present at the fifth Roman council under Symmachus: in the “seventh” century, it bore the character of metropolitan, and a bishop of it assisted at the sixth council at Constantinople, whose name was Paul: in the “eighth” century, Leo was bishop of it, who was present at the synod of Nice f705 ; and after this we hear no more of it, the place falling into the hands of the Turks, who are now possessed of it: here, according to the Roman martyrology, Tryphena and Tryphosa, mentioned in ( Romans 16:12) heard the Apostle Paul preach; and here the famous virgin and martyr, Thecla, was converted.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - The apostles spake so plainly, with such evidence and proof of the Spirit, and with such power; so warmly, and with such concern for the souls of men; that those who heard them could not but say, God was with them of a truth. Yet the success was not to be reckoned to the manne of their preaching, but to the Spirit of God who used that means Perseverance in doing good, amidst dangers and hardships, is a blesse evidence of grace. Wherever God's servants are driven, they should see to declare the truth. When they went on in Christ's name and strength he failed not to give testimony to the word of his grace. He ha assured us it is the word of God, and that we may venture our soul upon it. The Gentiles and Jews were at enmity with one another, ye united against Christians. If the church's enemies join to destroy it shall not its friends unite for its preservation? God has a shelter for his people in a storm; he is, and will be their Hiding-place. In time of persecution, believers may see cause to quit a spot, though they d not quit their Master's work.
Greek Textus Receptus
εγενετο 1096 5633 V-2ADI-3S δε 1161 CONJ εν 1722 PREP ικονιω 2430 N-DSN κατα 2596 PREP το 3588 T-ASN αυτο 846 P-ASN εισελθειν 1525 5629 V-2AAN αυτους 846 P-APM εις 1519 PREP την 3588 T-ASF συναγωγην 4864 N-ASF των 3588 T-GPM ιουδαιων 2453 A-GPM και 2532 CONJ λαλησαι 2980 5658 V-AAN ουτως 3779 ADV ωστε 5620 CONJ πιστευσαι 4100 5658 V-AAN ιουδαιων 2453 A-GPM τε 5037 PRT και 2532 CONJ ελληνων 1672 N-GPM πολυ 4183 A-ASN πληθος 4128 N-ASN
Robertson's NT Word Studies
14:1 {They entered together} (kata to auto eiselqein). Like epi to auto in #3:1. The infinitive eiselqein is the subject of egeneto. {So spake that} (lalesai houtws hwste). Infinitive again parallel to eiselqein. With the result that, actual result here stated with hwste and the aorist infinitive pisteusai (Robertson, _Grammar_, pp. 999f.) rather than hwste and the indicative like #Joh 3:16. It was a tremendous first meeting.
