8 At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet , lame from his mother's womb , who had never walked . 9 This man was listening to Paul as he spoke , who , when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well , 10 said with a loud voice , "Stand upright on your feet ." And he leaped up and began to walk . 11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done , they raised their voice , saying in the Lycaonian language , " The gods have become like men and have come down to us." 12 And they began calling Barnabas , Zeus , and Paul , Hermes , because he was the chief speaker . 13 The priest of Zeus , whose temple was just outside the city , brought oxen and garlands to the gates , and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds . 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd , crying out 15 and saying , "Men , why are you doing these things ? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God , WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. 16 "In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways ; 17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness , in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons , satisfying your hearts with food and gladness ." 18 Even saying these things , with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 14:8-18
Commentary on Acts 14:8-18
(Read Acts 14:8-18)
All things are possible to those that believe. When we have faith, that most precious gift of God, we shall be delivered from the spiritual helplessness in which we were born, and from the dominion of sinful habits since formed; we shall be made able to stand upright and walk cheerfully in the ways of the Lord. When Christ, the Son of God, appeared in the likeness of men, and did many miracles, men were so far from doing sacrifice to him, that they made him a sacrifice to their pride and malice; but Paul and Barnabas, upon their working one miracle, were treated as gods. The same power of the god of this world, which closes the carnal mind against truth, makes errors and mistakes find easy admission. We do not learn that they rent their clothes when the people spake of stoning them; but when they spake of worshipping them; they could not bear it, being more concerned for God's honour than their own. God's truth needs not the services of man's falsehood. The servants of God might easily obtain undue honours if they would wink at men's errors and vices; but they must dread and detest such respect more than any reproach. When the apostles preached to the Jews, who hated idolatry, they had only to preach the grace of God in Christ; but when they had to do with the Gentiles, they must set right their mistakes in natural religion. Compare their conduct and declaration with the false opinions of those who think the worship of a God, under any name, or in any manner, is equally acceptable to the Lord Almighty. The most powerful arguments, the most earnest and affectionate addresses, even with miracles, are scarcely enough to keep men from absurdities and abominations; much less can they, without special grace, turn the hearts of sinners to God and to holiness.