Acts 14:26

Acts 14:26

And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

a. NLT: Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed.

b. NIV: From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.

c. YLT: And thence did sail to Antioch, whence they had been given by the grace of God for the work that they fulfilled;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: And from there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had [first] been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had [now] completed.

e. Worrell Translation: And thence they sailed to Antioch, whence they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they accomplished

f. Wuest Translation: And from there they sailed away to Antioch, from which place they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

1. “And thence sailed to Antioch…”

a. And thence [Strong: 2547 kakeithen kak-i'-then from 2532 and 1564; likewise from that place (or time):--and afterward (from) (thence), thence also.]

b. sailed [Strong: 636 apopleo ap-op-leh'-o from 575 and 4126; to set sail:--sail away.]

c. to [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

d. Antioch [Strong: 490 Antiocheia an-tee-okh'-i-ah from Antiochus (a Syrian king); Antiochia, a place in Syria:--Antioch.]

2. “…from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.”

a. from whence [Strong: 3606 hothen hoth'-en from 3739 with the directive enclitic of source; from which 

place or source or cause (adverb or conjunction):--from thence, (from) whence, where(-by, -fore, -upon).]

b. they had [Strong: 2258 en ane imperfect of 1510; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.]

c. been recommended [Strong: 3860 paradidomi par-ad-id'-o-mee from 3844 and 1325; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit:--betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend.]

d. to the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

e. grace [Strong: 5485 charis khar'-ece from 5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude):--acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy).]

f. of God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

g. for [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

h. the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

i. work [Strong: 2041 ergon er'-gon from a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act:--deed, doing, labour, work.]

j. which [Strong: 3739 hos hos, including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

k. they fulfilled [Strong: 4137 pleroo play-ro'-o from 4134; to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:--accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.]

1). Scholars differ as to the exact year Paul’s first missionary began and ended.

a). Professor E.E. Ellis, Phd of Bethel Seminary: the first journey started in A.D. 46, ending with their return  to report to the church at Syrian Antioch in A.D. 49, a duration of about three years. The ministry took place solely on Cyprus and what is modern Asia Minor in the southern provinces of Pamphylia, Pisidia and Lycaonia.

b). William Ramsay, Saint Paul The Traveler And Roman Citizen, The first missionary journey began probably around Passover, 29th of March, 47 A.D. It ended probably around August of 49 A.D.

2). God had called both of these men into the mission field. Paul knew from the day he was gloriously saved that he was called to the Gentile nations.

a). Acts 26:13-18  At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

26:14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

26:15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

3). It was not long that Paul and Barnabas while serving in their capacities at Antioch, were set apart for the calling God had called them.

a). Acts 13: 2, 3  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.