John Calvin Commentary Acts 14:20

"But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city: and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe." — Acts 14:20 (ASV)

As the disciples. Though no one defended Paul, Luke shows that the godly were eager for his safety; yet they moderated themselves, so that they would not attempt anything with great danger to no purpose, seeing they could not help him unless it were done secretly. And surely we must always consider what the Lord has put within our power. If I, standing on the bank, see a man in the middle of the water, and cannot reach him with my hand when he is likely to be drowned, what remains for me to do but to commend him to the Lord? And if there is any hope to help him, then I must endanger myself. Therefore, we will not say that Saint Paul was left alone by the disciples through laziness, since they could not help him; and they declare their love and care when they stand around him after he is cast out.

They went to Derbe. It appears plainly from this that Paul was miraculously saved, since, on the next day, after he was cast out for dead, he undertakes his journey, being strong and well. From this we also gather what an invincible heart he bore against all evils and afflictions.

For he does not creep into a corner, where, like a battle-weary soldier, he might live idly; but he goes to the same places where he had been treated discourteously and cruelly only a short time before.

Nevertheless, Luke shows that the church was first planted among the people of Derbe. He later adds that Paul and Barnabas returned to the churches they had established to confirm the disciples. From this, he shows us that the use of the Word does not consist only in instruction, by which the hearer is merely taught, but that it is also available for confirming faith, through admonishing, exhorting, and reproving.

And Christ does not only command His ministers to teach, but also to exhort; and Paul says that Scripture is profitable not only to teach, but also to exhort (2 Timothy 3:16).

Therefore, let pastors not think that they have done their duty as they should when they have thoroughly trained their people in true knowledge, unless they also devote themselves to this latter part.

Again, let the faithful not neglect the Word of God, as if reading and preaching it were unnecessary, because there is no one who does not need continual confirmation.