ACTS 14:23 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust — the appointment of elders (cheirotoneo, literally to stretch out the hand in choosing) establishes presbyteral leadership in these nascent communities. The prayer and fasting (nesteia) indicate the gravity and spiritual weight of the commission. The phrase committed them to the Lord (paratithēmi pros kyrion) transfers pastoral responsibility to Christ's care rather than leaving it solely with human leaders.
Church Fathers on Acts 14:23
But there came, it says, certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium Acts 14:19.— Indeed children of the devil, that not in their own cities only, but also beyond them, they did these things, and as much made it their study to make an end of the preaching, as the Apostles were in earnest to establish it!— and having persuaded the multitude and stoned Paul, they dragged him out of the city. (e) So then, the Gentiles regarded them as gods, but these dragged him, out of the city,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!