Act 14:1-7 | TNotes | STEP | 14:1 The missionaries moved on to the next town, Iconium (now called Konya), located east of Pisidian Antioch on a high plateau in south central Asia Minor. Iconium enjoyed a favorable location on several key trade routes. • In their usual fashion, Paul and Barnabas began their ministry in the area by speaking powerfully in the Jewish synagogue , which led to a great response from both Jews and Greeks .

14:1 ^a The missionaries moved on to the next town, Iconium (now called Konya), located east of Pisidian Antioch on a high plateau in south central Asia Minor. Iconium enjoyed a favorable location on several key trade routes.

• In their usual fashion, Paul and Barnabas began their ministry in the area by speaking powerfully in the Jewish synagogue, which led to a great response from both Jews and Greeks.
14:2 ^b Once again Paul and Barnabas faced hostile Jews who rejected the Christian message and also poisoned the minds of the Gentiles.
14:3 ^c The Spirit-inspired apostles were resilient to withstand the verbal attack against them, and they persisted in preaching the Good News that God’s grace was available to Gentiles as well as to Jews.

• boldly: Spirit-inspired boldness is evident throughout Acts (see 2:14 ^d; 4:9-10 ^e, 13 ^f; 7:2-53 ^g; 8:30-35 ^h; 9:27-28 ⁱ; 18:26 ^j; 19:8 ^k; 22:3-21 ^l; 23:1-6 ^m; 28:16-20 ⁿ, 23-31 ^o).

• In addition, the Holy Spirit confirmed the Christian message with miraculous signs and wonders (cp. 5:12-16 ^p; 15:12 ^q; 16:18 ^r; 19:11 ^s).
14:4 ^t The apostolic message required a decision about belief in Jesus, and opinion was clearly split.

• Paul and Barnabas are called apostles for the first time (also in 14:14 ^u), extending the idea of apostleship beyond the Twelve. Their message was in continuity with that of the original apostles, and they were prepared to suffer hardship and persecution for it as the earlier apostles had done (5:41 ^v; 14:19 ^w; 20:24 ^x; 21:13-14 ^y; see also Rom 8:35-38 ^z; 2 Cor 4:8-17 ^aa).
14:6 ^ab Lycaonia was a southern region of the Roman province of Galatia. Its major cities were Lystra, Derbe, Laranda, and Iconium. Acts reports two more visits by Paul to Lycaonia (16:1-5 ^ac; 18:23 ^ad). Paul’s letter to the Galatians was probably addressed to scattered believers in the churches of Lycaonia (see Galatians Book Introduction, “Recipients”).

• Lystra was located roughly twenty-five miles (40 km) south-southwest of Iconium.

• Derbe, situated about thirty miles (50 km) southeast of Lystra, was on the busy major road that stretched from Iconium and Lystra eastward to Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia.