“Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.”
Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly about the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling apostles to perform great wonders and signs — despite opposition, the missionaries persist (chronizō, to spend time), speaking boldly (parrhēsiazō, with freedom and courage). The Lord confirms (martyreō, to testify to) his word through signs and wonders (sēmeia kai terata), suggesting that God's self-attestation bypasses rhetorical opposition through visible, undeniable works.
Church Fathers on Acts 14:3
Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. Acts 14:3 This caused their boldness; or rather, of their boldness indeed their own hearty good-will was the cause— therefore it is that for a long while they work no signs — while the conversion of the hearers was (the effect) of the signs, though their boldness also contributed somewhat.
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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