ACC ~ Acts 14 v21 - 28

OVERVIEW:

This is the end of the first missionary journey. Commentators note the number of times Luke mentions the fact that Paul spends time with people and does not merely preach and move on. There is a problem with the mention of the appointment of presbyteroi (“elders”), since Paul nowhere, neither in the uncontested nor in the contested letters, mentions them, neither as addressees nor as people he appointed. The Fathers do not mention this unique occurrence of the term. This mission is summarized in Acts 14:27 and is seen to prepare for the council of Acts 15. The Fathers’ comments turn the events toward their moral application in the life of the reader. The followers of Jesus do not go looking to be persecuted and do not want to play the victim, but they know to expect trials, hatred and perhaps even persecution to the death from those who will think they are doing good. Jesus spoke of this, and he also promised a heavenly joy, a beatitude, as belonging to such. Jesus’ words are here fulfilled in Paul and Barnabas, not just in their own words to the disciples but even in their actions (CHRYSOSTOM). We are fallible, we have concupiscence, a desire for prestige, and so we will always need correction especially in trying to serve the gospel (BASIL). Yet, these difficulties are never crushing but strengthen us and show forth God’s grace working in our weakness (BASIL, CHRYSOSTOM).

14:22 | Entering the Kingdom of God

REJOICING IN TRIBULATIONS. CHRYSOSTOM: This [the apostles] said, this they showed. But it is purposely so done, not only by the apostles but by the disciples also, that they may learn from the very outset both the power of the preaching and that they must themselves also suffer such things, that they may stand nobly, not idly gaping for the miracles but much more ready for the trials. Therefore also the apostle himself said, “Having the same conflict which you saw in me and heard.” … And they were taught this by Christ when he said, “Rejoice not that the devils obey you.” For the joy indeed and without alloy is this, to suffer anything for Christ’s sake. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 31.

THE DESIRE FOR VAINGLORY. BASIL THE GREAT: We must receive rebuke and castigation as a medicine that destroys disordered passion and restores health. From this it is clear that those who feign goodness out of a disordered desire to please people lose all profit and plot against the true life itself. THE MORALS 72.5.

APPROVAL THROUGH TRIBULATION. BASIL THE GREAT: “And he snatched me from all my tribulations.” The just person’s entire life is tribulation, “both straight and narrow the way,” and “many are the tribulations of the just ones.” Therefore the apostle elsewhere says that he has been “afflicted in every way,” and here, that “we must enter the kingdom of God through many afflictions.” God does rescue the holy from affliction, but he does so not by rendering them untested but by blessing them with endurance. For if “affliction brings about endurance, then endurance brings about an approved character.” Whoever rejects affliction deprives himself of approval. Just as none is crowned who has no rival, so none can be pronounced worthy except through tribulations. Therefore, “he snatched me from all my tribulations,” not by allowing me not to be afflicted but by granting with the test a way out, in order to be able to endure. HOMILY ON PSALM 33.4.

14:27 | Declaring What God Had Done

THAT THE MISSION BE FIRMLY ESTABLISHED. CHRYSOSTOM: They did not say what they themselves had done but “what God had done with them.” It seems to me that they mean through their trials. It was not for nothing that they went there, nor to rest. They were providentially guided by the Spirit, so that the preaching to the Gentiles might be firmly established. … And note Paul’s ardor. He does not ask if there is need to speak to Gentiles; he speaks at once. This is why he says, “I did not refer myself to flesh and blood.” HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 31.