Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Phoenicia - "A country on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, bounded roughly by Mt. Carmel on the south and the river Orontes on the north. It contained the important cities of Tyre and Sidon. Coasting vessels from Caesarea would readily convey these evangelists to the ports of Phoenicia. We find churches, some years later, at Tyre and Sidon (Acts 21:4; 27:3)." (Walker)
Antioch - "... on the Orontes River about 300 mi (483 km) from Jerusalem was the capital of the Roman province of Syria. It was the third largest city in the empire, with a population of about 500,000. Antioch was one of the cosmopolitan centers of the world of that day and a center of commerce, Seleucia (16 mi, or 26 km, away) being its seaport (Acts 13:4)." (Ryrie)
speaking the word to no one except Jews - "As we have seen, this was not because they were prejudiced against the Gentiles or did not wish to see them saved, but rather because according to the covenants, the prophecies and the 'great commission,' Israel must first be brought to Messiah's feed before salvation and blessing could flow to the Gentiles (See Mark 7:27; Luke 24:47; Acts 3:25-26; 13:46; Rom 15:8-9)." (Stam)
spoke to the Hellenists also - "But some of these scattered disciples, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, coming to Antioch, now preach the Lord Jesus to the Greeks (not Grecians [Hellenists]), as we shall presently show. Every student of Acts should know the difference between Grecians [Hellenists] and Greeks. Grecians [Hellenists] were Jews living, or having lived, outside of Palestine among the Gentiles, where the Greek language was spoken and Greek culture prevailed. Thus they were Grecianized, but were Jews nevertheless—Grecianized Jews. The Greeks on the other hand, were Gentiles. Thus we find Grecians [Hellenists] among the believers before the conversion of Saul, while Greeks are not included until after. The word Grecians (Gr. Hellenistes) is found twice in early Acts (6:1; 9:29) and not again after that, while the word Greeks (Hellenes) is not found in early Acts but occurs twelve times from Acts 11:20 on. It is unfortunate that the Authorized Version employs the word Grecians [Hellenists] in Acts 11:20, for there is abundance evidence that Greeks is the correct rendering ... The larger context confirms this view. Evidently something out of the ordinary had taken place, for upon hearing of it the leaders at Jerusalem immediately sent Barnabas to look into the matter. In the remainder of the record of this assembly at Antioch nothing is said to indicate that Barnabas and Saul still, like those of Verse 19, ministered to the 'Jews only,' or that later on some Gentiles among them also believed. From the start their program differed from that which had prevailed at Jerusalem (Acts 11:29 cf. 4:32). It was this church that became the first great center of Gentile evangelism. It was this church from which Paul and Barnabas later travelled to Jerusalem to preserve Gentile freedom from the bondage of the Mosaic law. And significantly, it was no one from among themselves but 'certain men which came down from Judaea' who sought to bring these Gentiles under the law. And note: 'Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation WITH THEM' (Acts 15:2). At the close of the great Jerusalem Council the elders sent letters to 'the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia' (Acts 15:23). And when Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch with the news, 'THE MULTITUDE,' hearing the epistle, 'rejoiced for the consolation' (Acts 15:30,31) indicating that the congregation there was overwhelmingly Gentile. All this militates against the view that the church which was established at Antioch, and to which Paul ministered for 'a whole year,' was made up of Grecians [Hellenists], or Greek-speaking Jews. It even precludes the idea that the church began as a Grecian [Hellenist] church and became predominantly Gentile later on." (Stam)
"This word [Hellenists] usually denotes in the New Testament those Jews residing in foreign lands, who spoke the Greek language ... But to them the gospel had been already preached; and yet in this place it is evidently the intention of Luke to affirm that the men of Cyprus and Cyrene preached to those who were not Jews and that thus their conduct was distinguished from those (Verse 19) who preached to the Jews only. It is thus manifest that we are here required to understand the Gentiles as those who are addressed by the men of Cyprus and Cyrene. In many manuscripts the word used here is Hellenas, Greeks, instead of Hellenists." (Barnes)
"But in the current texts, those to whom the gospel is preached in the second instance are described as Hellenists, not Hellenes. Yet, if this were the case, the second preaching could not have differed from the first, and the Cyrenian and Cyprian brethren would have done no more than had already been done by the brethren from Jerusalem. It is hence the opinion of the best critics and commentators that the word Hellenes, not Hellenists, is here the right reading, especially as it is to be found in some very ancient manuscripts, versions and Fathers; and it has accordingly been adopted in most of the recent critical editions of the Greek text." (Kitto)
"There would have been nothing remarkable in these men preaching to the Hellenists who had ... formed a large part of the church at Jerusalem ... Note, also, the contrast with the statement in Verse 19, to the Jews only. There is no contrast between Jews and Hellenists, since Hellenists are included in the general term Jews." (Vincent)
"The capital of the Roman province of Syria, and the resident of the prefect. It was built by Seleucus Nicator about 300 B.C. and named after his father Antiochus. It was situated about sixteen miles from the sea, at the spot where the river Orontes flows through the mountains. Its port was Seleucia (Acts 13:4). After Rome and Alexandria, it took rank as the third city in the empire. It contained a large Syrian population, with a considerable number of Jews also. But its civilization and culture were Greek, and its official and political tone Roman. It was thus a sort of cosmopolitan centre, and well adapted to become the centre of a missionary Church. By continuing their coasting voyage northward, these pioneer evangelists would arrive at Antioch." (Walker)
Barnabas - "Described by Luke as one who consoles or encourages (Acts 4:36). A good man who was full of the Holy Spirit (v 24), he played an important role in the early life of the church on four occasions: (1) he convinced the apostles of the genuineness of Pauls' conversion (Acts 9:27); (2) he represented the apostles at Antioch and recognized that the movement there was the work of God (vv 22-24); (3) he and Paul were sent by the Spirit on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:2); and (4) he defended the work among Gentiles at the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:12,22,25)." (Ryrie)
to look for Saul - "Paul had been in Tarsus, his home city, and in Syria and Cilicia (Gal 1:21) about five years since going there from Jerusalem (Acts 9:30)." (Ryrie)
"... it must not be overlooked that the reason the believers at Jerusalem had sent Barnabas to Antioch was that it had come to their ears that Gentiles—having neither circumcision nor the law—had come to trust Christ in that city. It is not strange, then, and a natural step in the unfolding of God's program, that Barnabas simply exhorted these believing Gentiles 'that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord' (a very general exhortation) while he went to Tarsus to find Saul." (Stam)
Christians - "The word appears only here, in Acts 26:28, and in 1 Peter 4:16. It means partisans, or followers, of Christ, 'Christ's people.'" (Ryrie)
"... it is significant that 'the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch' (Acts 11:26) especially since so many confuse the Judaism of Jerusalem and Pentecost with Christianity. This title is found only three times in the New Testament: here, in Acts 26:28, and again in 1 Peter 4:16. One fact is clear from these three passages: that the name was given to the believers by others. It is even Latin, rather than Greek, in its termination, which may mean that the Romans first applied the name to those who made so much of Christ. Peter's reference to the name Christian in 1 Peter 4:14-16 strongly emphasizes the fact that is assumed the rejection of God's Anointed One and we must remember that this rejection of Christ by those over whom He was to reign was not assumed until God had answered the stoning of Stephen by raising up Paul to go to the Gentiles." (Stam)
Phoenicia - "A country on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, bounded roughly by Mt. Carmel on the south and the river Orontes on the north. It contained the important cities of Tyre and Sidon. Coasting vessels from Caesarea would readily convey these evangelists to the ports of Phoenicia. We find churches, some years later, at Tyre and Sidon (Acts 21:4; 27:3)." (Walker)
Antioch - "... on the Orontes River about 300 mi (483 km) from Jerusalem was the capital of the Roman province of Syria. It was the third largest city in the empire, with a population of about 500,000. Antioch was one of the cosmopolitan centers of the world of that day and a center of commerce, Seleucia (16 mi, or 26 km, away) being its seaport (Acts 13:4)." (Ryrie)
speaking the word to no one except Jews - "As we have seen, this was not because they were prejudiced against the Gentiles or did not wish to see them saved, but rather because according to the covenants, the prophecies and the 'great commission,' Israel must first be brought to Messiah's feed before salvation and blessing could flow to the Gentiles (See Mark 7:27; Luke 24:47; Acts 3:25-26; 13:46; Rom 15:8-9)." (Stam)
spoke to the Hellenists also - "But some of these scattered disciples, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, coming to Antioch, now preach the Lord Jesus to the Greeks (not Grecians [Hellenists]), as we shall presently show. Every student of Acts should know the difference between Grecians [Hellenists] and Greeks. Grecians [Hellenists] were Jews living, or having lived, outside of Palestine among the Gentiles, where the Greek language was spoken and Greek culture prevailed. Thus they were Grecianized, but were Jews nevertheless—Grecianized Jews. The Greeks on the other hand, were Gentiles. Thus we find Grecians [Hellenists] among the believers before the conversion of Saul, while Greeks are not included until after. The word Grecians (Gr. Hellenistes) is found twice in early Acts (6:1; 9:29) and not again after that, while the word Greeks (Hellenes) is not found in early Acts but occurs twelve times from Acts 11:20 on. It is unfortunate that the Authorized Version employs the word Grecians [Hellenists] in Acts 11:20, for there is abundance evidence that Greeks is the correct rendering ... The larger context confirms this view. Evidently something out of the ordinary had taken place, for upon hearing of it the leaders at Jerusalem immediately sent Barnabas to look into the matter. In the remainder of the record of this assembly at Antioch nothing is said to indicate that Barnabas and Saul still, like those of Verse 19, ministered to the 'Jews only,' or that later on some Gentiles among them also believed. From the start their program differed from that which had prevailed at Jerusalem (Acts 11:29 cf. 4:32). It was this church that became the first great center of Gentile evangelism. It was this church from which Paul and Barnabas later travelled to Jerusalem to preserve Gentile freedom from the bondage of the Mosaic law. And significantly, it was no one from among themselves but 'certain men which came down from Judaea' who sought to bring these Gentiles under the law. And note: 'Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation WITH THEM' (Acts 15:2). At the close of the great Jerusalem Council the elders sent letters to 'the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia' (Acts 15:23). And when Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch with the news, 'THE MULTITUDE,' hearing the epistle, 'rejoiced for the consolation' (Acts 15:30,31) indicating that the congregation there was overwhelmingly Gentile. All this militates against the view that the church which was established at Antioch, and to which Paul ministered for 'a whole year,' was made up of Grecians [Hellenists], or Greek-speaking Jews. It even precludes the idea that the church began as a Grecian [Hellenist] church and became predominantly Gentile later on." (Stam)
"This word [Hellenists] usually denotes in the New Testament those Jews residing in foreign lands, who spoke the Greek language ... But to them the gospel had been already preached; and yet in this place it is evidently the intention of Luke to affirm that the men of Cyprus and Cyrene preached to those who were not Jews and that thus their conduct was distinguished from those (Verse 19) who preached to the Jews only. It is thus manifest that we are here required to understand the Gentiles as those who are addressed by the men of Cyprus and Cyrene. In many manuscripts the word used here is Hellenas, Greeks, instead of Hellenists." (Barnes)
"But in the current texts, those to whom the gospel is preached in the second instance are described as Hellenists, not Hellenes. Yet, if this were the case, the second preaching could not have differed from the first, and the Cyrenian and Cyprian brethren would have done no more than had already been done by the brethren from Jerusalem. It is hence the opinion of the best critics and commentators that the word Hellenes, not Hellenists, is here the right reading, especially as it is to be found in some very ancient manuscripts, versions and Fathers; and it has accordingly been adopted in most of the recent critical editions of the Greek text." (Kitto)
"There would have been nothing remarkable in these men preaching to the Hellenists who had ... formed a large part of the church at Jerusalem ... Note, also, the contrast with the statement in Verse 19, to the Jews only. There is no contrast between Jews and Hellenists, since Hellenists are included in the general term Jews." (Vincent)
"The capital of the Roman province of Syria, and the resident of the prefect. It was built by Seleucus Nicator about 300 B.C. and named after his father Antiochus. It was situated about sixteen miles from the sea, at the spot where the river Orontes flows through the mountains. Its port was Seleucia (Acts 13:4). After Rome and Alexandria, it took rank as the third city in the empire. It contained a large Syrian population, with a considerable number of Jews also. But its civilization and culture were Greek, and its official and political tone Roman. It was thus a sort of cosmopolitan centre, and well adapted to become the centre of a missionary Church. By continuing their coasting voyage northward, these pioneer evangelists would arrive at Antioch." (Walker)
Barnabas - "Described by Luke as one who consoles or encourages (Acts 4:36). A good man who was full of the Holy Spirit (v 24), he played an important role in the early life of the church on four occasions: (1) he convinced the apostles of the genuineness of Pauls' conversion (Acts 9:27); (2) he represented the apostles at Antioch and recognized that the movement there was the work of God (vv 22-24); (3) he and Paul were sent by the Spirit on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:2); and (4) he defended the work among Gentiles at the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:12,22,25)." (Ryrie)
to look for Saul - "Paul had been in Tarsus, his home city, and in Syria and Cilicia (Gal 1:21) about five years since going there from Jerusalem (Acts 9:30)." (Ryrie)
"... it must not be overlooked that the reason the believers at Jerusalem had sent Barnabas to Antioch was that it had come to their ears that Gentiles—having neither circumcision nor the law—had come to trust Christ in that city. It is not strange, then, and a natural step in the unfolding of God's program, that Barnabas simply exhorted these believing Gentiles 'that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord' (a very general exhortation) while he went to Tarsus to find Saul." (Stam)
Christians - "The word appears only here, in Acts 26:28, and in 1 Peter 4:16. It means partisans, or followers, of Christ, 'Christ's people.'" (Ryrie)
"... it is significant that 'the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch' (Acts 11:26) especially since so many confuse the Judaism of Jerusalem and Pentecost with Christianity. This title is found only three times in the New Testament: here, in Acts 26:28, and again in 1 Peter 4:16. One fact is clear from these three passages: that the name was given to the believers by others. It is even Latin, rather than Greek, in its termination, which may mean that the Romans first applied the name to those who made so much of Christ. Peter's reference to the name Christian in 1 Peter 4:14-16 strongly emphasizes the fact that is assumed the rejection of God's Anointed One and we must remember that this rejection of Christ by those over whom He was to reign was not assumed until God had answered the stoning of Stephen by raising up Paul to go to the Gentiles." (Stam)
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