IN ICONIUM
IN ICONIUM
ACTS 14:1-7
Here is trust … and trouble.
From Antioch the apostles moved on to Iconium, now called Konia, and a junction of several routes. Commentators draw attention to the Greek phrase (in 14:1) rendered “together.” This should be translated “in the same way” with a backward glance at the apostolic procedure at Antioch. There the two apostles used the Jewish synagogue as a springboard for their evangelism; so too, in like manner, in spite of the declaration of 13:46, they began their work at Iconium by visiting the Jewish assembly. A tiny word in 14:1, translated “so,” speaks volumes of the way they conducted themselves. Their manner of life had a powerful effect in conjunction with the truth of their words.
Opposition also was encountered (14:2). Who were the “devil’s advocates”? Which church in Asia Minor at a later time met this animosity from the Jews? (See Revelation 2:8-11; and note the martyrdom of Polycarp which tells of Jewish opposition and evil designs in fomenting trouble for the Christians in the same place.) And in which other city did Paul feel encouraged to stay on because there was opposition to the work of the gospel (as 14:3-4 imply)? (See 18:6-11; 1 Corinthians 16:8.)
A critical point was evidently reached when Paul learned of a concerted effort put in hand to attack him and his company (14:5-6). Then the principle of Matthew 10:23 was invoked and they took refuge in Lystra and Derbe, where fresh scope for evangelization was given (14:7).
Notes 14:2: this disaffection was possibly caused by Jews who came on to Iconium from Antioch. Paul ignored their hostility (14:3), but felt it wise to move on when the local Gentile inhabitants seemed adamant in their resistance, even to the point of mob-violence (as verse 5 implies). 14:6: Lystra and Derbe, with the Phrygian city of Iconium, most probably (on Sir William Ramsay’s view) represent the churches of Galatia to which the epistle of that name was written.
Study Pick out some verses from Galatians which speak of the founding of the church in the teeth of hardship and opposition (eg Galatians 3:4) and with accompanying “signs and wonders” (eg Galatians 3:5).