What is the meaning of Acts 14:25? And when they had spoken the word • Luke records a brief but weighty statement: “And when they had spoken the word…” (Acts 14:25). • Paul and Barnabas never stopped proclaiming the gospel, whether in large synagogues (Acts 13:5) or among small gatherings of new disciples (Acts 14:21-22). • Their preaching in Perga shows a pattern: every place they traveled received the same life-changing message (Acts 14:7; 1 Corinthians 9:16). • This phrase also reminds us that the word they spoke was God’s word, not mere opinion (2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). • By noting the act of speaking first, Luke highlights that ministry happens before movement—obedience precedes itinerary. in Perga • Perga, the capital of Pamphylia, first appeared earlier in the journey when John Mark departed (Acts 13:13). Returning there shows perseverance where earlier disappointment had occurred. • Revisiting Perga fits the larger strategy to strengthen believers on the return leg (Acts 14:21-23). • It also fulfills Jesus’ pattern of witnessing “in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8), moving steadily outward from Jewish centers to Gentile regions. • Perga serves as a reminder that no town is too ordinary for the gospel—God plants churches in unexpected places (Titus 1:5). they went down • “Went down” reflects travel from inland Perga to a lower coastal elevation (Acts 16:8). • The language echoes earlier journey notes such as “went down to Seleucia” (Acts 13:4), portraying steady obedience step by step. • Scripture often pairs downward travel with forward mission—geography never hinders God’s call (Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 3:5-6). • Their movement illustrates a healthy rhythm: declare the word, then move as the Spirit leads (Acts 13:2-3; Galatians 5:25). to Attalia • Attalia was the port city of Pamphylia, about ten miles from Perga, offering direct passage back to Antioch of Syria (Acts 14:26). • Choosing Attalia shows wise stewardship: they selected the best route to report God’s work to their sending church (Acts 14:27). • The stop underscores completion. Having fulfilled ministry in Asia Minor, they now prepare to testify to God’s faithfulness (Acts 20:24). • It reminds believers that mission includes both going and returning, sowing and then sharing what God has done (Philippians 1:5-6). summary Acts 14:25 compresses an entire philosophy of ministry into a single sentence: speak God’s word wherever you are, revisit places that still need encouragement, follow the Spirit’s direction step by step, and finish assignments faithfully so testimony can strengthen the wider body. |
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