Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 14:15

"and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:" — Acts 14:15 (ASV)

And saying, Sirs. Greek, Men.

Why do you do these things?

This is an expression of solemn remonstrance at the folly of their conduct in worshipping those who were men. The abhorrence which they showed at this may throw strong light on the rank and character of the Lord Jesus Christ. When an offer was made to worship Paul and Barnabas, they shrank from it with strong expressions of indignation and abhorrence.

Yet when similar worship was offered to the Lord Jesus, when he was addressed by Thomas in the language of worship, My Lord and my God (John 20:28), he commended the disciple. For this act he uttered not the slightest reproof. Indeed, he approved it and expressed his approval of others who should also do it (John 20:29). How can this difference be accounted for, except on the supposition that the Lord Jesus was Divine? Would he, if a mere man, receive homage as God, when his disciples rejected it with horror?

Of like passions with you. We are men like yourselves. We have no claim, no pretensions to anything more. The word "passions" here means simply that they had the common feelings and propensities of men; we have the nature of men, the affections of men. It does not mean that they were subject to any improper passions, to ill temper, etc., as some have supposed, but that they did not pretend to be gods. "We need food and drink; we are exposed to pain and sickness, and death."

The Latin Vulgate renders it, "We are mortal like yourselves." This expression stands opposed to the proper conception of God, who is not subject to these affections, who is most blessed and immortal. Such a Being only is to be worshipped; and the apostles remonstrated strongly with them. (Compare to James 5:17: Elias [Elijah] was a man subject to like passions as we are, etc.)

That you should turn from these vanities. That you should cease to worship idols. Idols are often called vanities, or vain things (Deuteronomy 32:21; 2 Kings 17:15; 1 Kings 16:13, 26; Jeremiah 2:5; Jeremiah 8:19; Jeremiah 10:8; Jonah 2:8).

They are called vanities, and often a lie, or lying vanities, as opposed to the living and true God, because they are unreal, because they have no power to help, and because confidence in them is vain.

Unto the living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). He is called the living God to distinguish him from idols. (See Barnes on Matthew 16:16).

Which made heaven, etc. Who thus showed that he was the only proper object of worship. This doctrine, that there was one God, who had made all things, was new to them. They worshipped multitudes of divinities; and though they regarded Jupiter as the father of gods and men, yet they had no conception that all things had been formed from nothing by the will of one Infinite Being.

"Vanities": 1 Samuel 12:21; 1 Kings 16:13; Jeremiah 14:22; Jonah 2:8; 1 Corinthians 8:4.

"The living God": 1 Thessalonians 1:9. "Which made": Genesis 1:1; Psalms 33:6; 146:6; Revelation 14:7.