Acts 14:19–28

Verse 21. Through many tribulations. Our daily offences require the paternal chastisement of the Almighty. The concupiscence of the flesh too, which wills against the spirit, must be subdued by punishment. Wo then to you, lovers of this world, who wish to pass your lives without tribulation, enemies of the cross. Senseless creatures, is the disciple above his master? Did it not become Christ first to suffer, and thus to enter into his glory? and shall we pretend to enter by any other means? and so forth Bible. Denis. Carthus.

Verse 22. When they had ordained for them priests. [1] The Prot. translation, following the grammatical etymology of the Greek word presbyter, always puts elders. Yet they of the Church of England allow, and maintain, that by this Greek word in this, and many other places, are signified the ministers of God, known by the name of bishops or priests, according to the ecclesiastical use of the same word. It is evident that here are not meant elders, as to age and years. Nay, though we adhere to the grammatical signification, we should rather translate priests, since the English word priest, as well as the French word prêtre, come from presbyter. But of this word more hereafter. We may also take notice, that the Calvinists here translate, ordained by election, pretending by the derivation of the Greek word, that church ministers were only chosen, and deputed by the votes and suffrages of people; and not by any ordination, or consecration by a bishop; nor by any character or sacrament of order. But their argument from this Greek word is frivolous, and groundless, as hath been shewn by Mr. Bois on this verse, by Mr. Legh in his Critica Sacra, and so forth Witham.—We see from this text, 1st, that SS. Paul and Barnabas were bishops, having authority to confer holy orders: 2d. that there was even then a difference betwixt bishops and priests, though the name in the primitive Church was often used indifferently; 3d. that fasting and praying were constant preparatives for holy orders. B.

Verse 24. This Antioch was a sea-port in Pamphylia. V.

Verse 25. From whence they had been delivered, up to their ministry, and their apostolical mission by the grace of God; that is, where they had been first chosen by the direction of the Spirit of God, ordained priests and bishops, and had received power, and graces to discharge their offices of apostles. Witham.

Verse 27. No little time. It is not precisely known how long he remained there, nor what he did. Saint Luke relates nothing of what happened from the 46th year of Christ to the 51st, in which the Council of Jerusalem was held. It is probable Saint Paul spent that time carrying the gospel among the neighbouring provinces. Calmet.