Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 13:46

"And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." — Acts 13:46 (ASV)

Waxed bold. They became bold; they spoke boldly and openly. They were not terrified by the strife they encountered, or alarmed by their opposition.

The contradictions and blasphemies of sinners often show that their consciences are alarmed and that the truth has taken effect; then is not the time to shrink, but to declare the truth more fearlessly.

It was necessary. It was so designed, so commanded. They regarded it as their duty to offer the gospel first to their own countrymen (See commentary on Luke 24:47).

Ye put it from you. You reject it.

And judge yourselves. By your conduct, by your rejecting it, you declare this. The word judge here does not mean they expressed such an opinion, or that they regarded themselves as unworthy of eternal life, for they thought just the reverse; rather, by their conduct they CONDEMNED themselves.

By such conduct, they did in fact pass sentence on themselves and show that they were unworthy of eternal life and of having the offer made to them any further.

Sinners by their conduct do in fact condemn themselves. They show that they are not only unfit to be saved but also that they have advanced so far in wickedness that there is no hope of their salvation and no propriety in offering them eternal life any further (See commentary on Matthew 7:6).

Unworthy, etc. Unfit to be saved. They had deliberately and solemnly rejected the gospel and thus shown that they were not fitted to enter into everlasting life.

When people, even just once, deliberately and solemnly reject the offers of God’s mercy, it greatly endangers their salvation.

The probability is that they then put the cup of salvation away from themselves forever.

The gospel produces an effect wherever it is preached. And when sinners are hardened, and spurn the gospel, it may often be the duty of ministers to turn their efforts towards others, where they may have more prospect of success.

A person will not long labour on a rocky, barren, sterile soil when there is near him a rich and fertile valley that will abundantly reward the pains of cultivation.

Lo, we turn, etc. We shall offer salvation to them, and devote ourselves to seeking their salvation.

We turn to the Gentiles (Deuteronomy 32:21; Matthew 21:43; Romans 10:19).