Acts 14 7

Acts 14:7 kjv

And there they preached the gospel.

Acts 14:7 nkjv

And they were preaching the gospel there.

Acts 14:7 niv

where they continued to preach the gospel.

Acts 14:7 esv

and there they continued to preach the gospel.

Acts 14:7 nlt

And there they preached the Good News.

Acts 14 verses

Acts 14 7 Meaning

Acts 14:7 succinctly records the steadfast resolve of Paul and Barnabas. After narrowly escaping a stoning plot in Iconium, they did not retreat or abandon their mission. Instead, they strategically moved to new cities, Lystra and Derbe within Lycaonia, and there they diligently continued their central work: proclaiming the good news of salvation in Christ. This verse highlights their perseverance, unwavering commitment, and the unstoppable nature of the gospel message even in the face of intense opposition.

Acts 14 7 Context

Acts chapter 14 begins with Paul and Barnabas in Iconium, the capital of Lycaonia. Their preaching of the gospel there was powerful, leading to "a great many" believing, both Jews and Greeks (v. 1). However, the Jewish unbelievers stirred up Gentiles against the apostles, leading to a significant division in the city (v. 2-4). A plot then emerged from both Jewish and Gentile leaders, along with some of the population, to violently abuse and stone Paul and Barnabas (v. 5).

Acts 14:7 follows their realization of this imminent danger. Hearing of the plot, they made the wise and divinely sanctioned decision to flee. This action was not a sign of fear or giving up, but a strategic move consistent with Jesus' own instruction (Matt 10:23) to continue ministry where there was openness. They relocated to Lystra and Derbe, cities also within the Lycaonian region, just to the south. Verse 7 acts as a vital bridge, establishing that despite persecution, the apostolic mission continued unabated in new geographical locations, showcasing their resilience and the uncontainable nature of the gospel.

Acts 14 7 Word analysis

• there (ἐκεῖ, ekei): A spatial adverb meaning "in that place" or "to that place." In this context, it specifically refers to Lystra and Derbe, the cities of Lycaonia mentioned in the previous verse (Acts 14:6), to which Paul and Barnabas fled. This shift in location highlights a strategic movement in the face of opposition, allowing for continued ministry.
• they (αὐτοί, autoi): The nominative plural pronoun referring specifically to Paul and Barnabas, emphasizing their shared resolve and continued partnership in ministry. It underlines the united effort in spreading the gospel.
• continued preaching (διέτριβον εὐαγγελιζόμενοι, dietribon euangelizomenoi): This is a powerful phrase composed of two Greek words:
  • διέτριβον (dietribon): An imperfect active verb from diatribō (διατρίβω), meaning "to spend time," "to continue," "to linger," or "to pass time." The imperfect tense indicates continuous or repeated action in the past. It suggests that they spent their time or were continuing to engage in the next activity. This signifies sustained, dedicated effort, not a casual or brief engagement. It indicates that despite having just fled for their lives, their focus remained entirely on their divine assignment.
  • εὐαγγελιζόμενοι (euangelizomenoi): A present middle/passive participle from euangelizō (εὐαγγελίζω), meaning "preaching the good news," "proclaiming the gospel," or "evangelizing." The present participle, combined with the imperfect tense of diatribō, strongly emphasizes an ongoing, continuous act of proclaiming the gospel. This highlights that evangelism was not merely an event but the primary, persistent activity they dedicated themselves to.
• the gospel (τὸ εὐαγγέλιον, to euangelion): Refers to "the good news" or "glad tidings." In the New Testament, it specifically denotes the message concerning Jesus Christ – His life, death, resurrection, and the salvation available through Him. It contrasts sharply with the polytheistic and idolatrous practices prevalent in Lycaonia, laying the groundwork for the confrontational message about the "living God" they would deliver in Acts 14:15. This specific emphasis signifies the core content of their mission, a message that offered a radical alternative to local pagan worship and mystery cults.
• Words-group Analysis: "there they continued preaching the gospel": This entire phrase encapsulates several key themes central to the Book of Acts:
  • Resilience in Persecution: It directly follows the escape from a violent plot, demonstrating that persecution fueled their mission rather than hindering it. This aligns with the broader narrative of Acts where opposition consistently leads to gospel advancement (e.g., Acts 8:1, 11:19).
  • Apostolic Priority: Their immediate resumption of "preaching the gospel" highlights that the proclamation of Christ was their paramount purpose. It wasn't secondary to safety or personal comfort.
  • Divine Sovereignty: The move was not merely human improvisation but an ongoing work guided by God. The strategic flight allowed God's word to spread to new territories where He had appointed more people to hear it. This suggests a providential aspect where opposition can be repurposed for kingdom expansion.
  • Cultural Engagement: They went into new territories, inherently meaning they would engage with new local customs and beliefs. Their preaching of "the gospel" represented a direct, yet peaceful, polemic against local Lycaonian polytheism, as evident in the subsequent encounter with idolaters who attempted to sacrifice to them as gods (Acts 14:11-18). The core Christian message directly challenged the foundational beliefs of their new audience.

Acts 14 7 Bonus section

The concept of "fleeing to the next city" as demonstrated by Paul and Barnabas here (echoing Matt 10:23) underscores a pragmatic wisdom in ministry, rather than cowardice. It implies that true resilience involves not foolishly inviting martyrdom when there are alternative avenues for ministry, but preserving one's life to continue the work God has called one to do. This action of relocating and resuming gospel proclamation illustrates the mobile and dynamic nature of the early church's evangelistic efforts. The unhindered movement and spread of the word of God, despite opposition, is a major thematic thread throughout the Book of Acts, often initiated or accelerated by moments of persecution.

Acts 14 7 Commentary

Acts 14:7 offers a profound insight into the unwavering resolve of Paul and Barnabas in their apostolic mission. Fleeing Iconium due to a stoning plot was not a retreat but a strategic redirection, consistent with Jesus' own instruction for handling persecution. Their immediate action upon arriving in Lystra and Derbe was not to rest or nurse their wounds, but to "continue preaching the gospel." This highlights their fundamental understanding of their divine mandate: the spread of God's good news takes precedence over personal safety or comfort. The language indicates a sustained and persistent effort, demonstrating that the call to evangelize was not just an act, but their ongoing lifestyle. This commitment reflects a core principle of early Christianity: opposition, rather than quelling the spirit, often served to scatter the seeds of the gospel to new, receptive ground. It demonstrates an unshakeable faith in God's power and plan, affirming that the word of God cannot be chained or stopped by human adversaries. This verse serves as a powerful testament to missionary perseverance and the inherent, unstoppable power of the gospel to advance despite any external resistance.

Practical Examples:

• Facing Opposition: When a Christian organization encounters strong community resistance, instead of shutting down, it could find a new neighborhood or city to serve and continue its mission.
• Redirection, Not Surrender: An individual sharing their faith who faces rejection might wisely choose to build relationships with new people or groups, rather than abandoning efforts to spread the message.
• Prioritizing the Message: A ministry experiencing internal or external pressure refocuses on its core biblical message and the proclamation of the gospel, rather than getting sidetracked by distractions.