Acts 14:21
And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
After success in Derbe in making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, the very fields where they had met strong and even deadly opposition, rather than leaving the new believers without further care. That return was to look after the results, strengthen and encourage those facing reproach and persecution, urge them to continue in the faith, and securely bind off the work already begun so it would endure. The verse establishes the pattern of entering every place where entrance can be gained to preach Christ and make many disciples in new territory, setting no boundaries to labor but ever advancing and educating workers for further conquests. After a large territory is worked, the pattern requires retracing steps to revisit the churches already planted and not forgetting them, before returning to the sending center, so influence is continually enlarged until truth encircles the world. On that return men were chosen from the churches raised up to unite in proclaiming the gospel, showing that selecting and training worthy young men as co-laborers who by example are enabled to win souls is part of gospel work.
Setting and Return Journey
Acts 14:21 belongs to the mission among the Gentiles, following the work at Iconium where many Jews and Greeks believed and where preaching continued boldly despite opposition, accompanied by signs and wonders. After Paul was stoned, he left Lystra the next day for Derbe in obedience to Christ's direction to flee into another city when persecuted in one city. The departure from Iconium was likewise temporary, leaving secretly to escape the mob while believers carried on the work for a time, with the plan to return when danger passed to complete what was begun.
In Derbe the gospel was preached and many were taught, with many disciples made and many souls led to embrace the truth. The same was true in Lystra, where receptive people accepted Christ despite opposition and religious hostility. Despite that hostility, many receptive souls in Lystra and Derbe accepted Christ as their labors were blessed.
After success in Derbe, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, fields where they had met strong and even deadly opposition. They did not leave the new believers without further care despite the danger. Their return was to care for the results and look after the people who had become believers. It was to strengthen and encourage those exposed to reproach, persecution, and bitter opposition, to urge them to continue in the faith, and to securely bind off the work already begun so it would endure and not ravel out.
Missionary Pattern for Today
The verse establishes the pattern for present labor to enter every place where entrance can be gained, to preach Christ with success in saving souls to Him, and to make many disciples in new territory as was done at Derbe. It fulfills the commission to teach all nations by setting no boundaries to limit labor, ever meditating advancement, ever educating workers for further conquests for Christ, and ever moving on so that truth may extend to all parts of the globe. After a large territory has been worked, the same pattern requires retracing steps to revisit the churches already planted at Lystra, Iconium and Antioch and not forgetting them, before returning to the sending center at Antioch where workers had been set apart by prayer and counsel. By this revisiting and onward advance the circle of influence is continually enlarged until the work widens and broadens to encircle the world and belt the world with truth.
For ministers today this means there are to be no idlers in the vineyard, but a weight of responsibility constantly to enlarge the circle and sphere of efforts to do more, never less. They are to proclaim the truth in the regions beyond, raising up churches place after place, setting the members to work, and passing on to other fields instead of spending time upon those who have already accepted the truth. Faithfulness in this course brings stoning, opposition and suffering such as was endured just before going to Derbe, yet labor is still to advance without limit.
On that return visit men were chosen from the churches raised up to be trained to unite in proclaiming the gospel, showing that educating young men for the ministry is part of gospel work. Experienced laborers do a noble work when, instead of trying to carry all the burdens themselves, they select and train worthy young men as co-laborers, take them on missionary journeys so they gain experience for positions of responsibility, keep in touch with their work when separated, and place burdens upon their shoulders. This training succeeds as sanctified workers sanctify others by their example, enabling them to do successful work in winning souls to Christ. By such continuing labor in strengthening churches and training co-workers the work grows.