Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 14:8-18

"And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother`s womb, who never had walked. The same heard Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked. And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Jupiter whose [temple] was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes. But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out 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: who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways. And yet He left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them." — Acts 14:8-18 (ASV)

All things are possible to those who believe. When we have faith, that most precious gift of God, we shall be delivered from the spiritual helplessness in which we were born, and from the dominion of sinful habits since formed; we shall be made able to stand upright and walk cheerfully in the ways of the Lord. When Christ, the Son of God, appeared in the likeness of men and performed many miracles, people were so far from offering sacrifice to him that they made him a sacrifice to their pride and malice; but Paul and Barnabas, after they performed one miracle, were treated as gods.

The same power of the god of this world, which closes the carnal mind against truth, also makes errors and mistakes readily find admission. We do not read that they tore their clothes when the people spoke of stoning them. But when the people spoke of worshipping them, they could not bear it, being more concerned for God's honour than their own. God's truth does not need the services of human falsehood. The servants of God could easily obtain undue honours if they were to wink at people's errors and vices; but they must dread and detest such respect more than any reproach.

When the apostles preached to the Jews, who hated idolatry, they had only to preach the grace of God in Christ. However, when they dealt with the Gentiles, they first had to correct their mistakes concerning natural religion. Compare their conduct and message with the false opinions of those who think that the worship of a God, under any name or in any manner, is equally acceptable to the Lord Almighty. The most powerful arguments, the most earnest and affectionate appeals, even accompanied by miracles, are scarcely enough to keep people from absurdities and abominations; much less can these methods, without special grace, turn the hearts of sinners to God and to holiness.