Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-05-29
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International lesson Comments For
June
Subject: Paul at Lystra, Acts XIV, ST.
Golden Text, II Timothy H., 3-Mcmory
Verses, $40 Commentary on
the Days Lesson.

g "There sat-" His usual posture,
showing his helpless condition. "lmpo-
tent" Entirely deprived OF the use OF his
o. 0. Heard Paul speak," The apostles
preached on several occasions, and the
lame man had heard repeatedly the teach
ing of the gospel, and had accepted 1t WIN
faith. There was probably no synagogue
at Lystra and the missionaries were no
doubt Obliged to speak in the market place
or some other place of public resort. Two
| other similar miracles have already, been
recorded. Chap. 8: lilo; 9: 80. Who.
pcrceivng." Paul's attention was at
tracted by the cripple, and he fast
ened his eyes upon him and saw his
faith from the expression Of his eounten-
ance. Had faith to be healed" lie
had confidence in the power OF Christ to
heal him. He must have heard OF mir.
acles which the apostles had performed at
other places See v. 3. The Greek word
mere signifies to be saved, including
complete salvation both of soul and body.
10. Stand" etc Luke makes no men
ton here OF any direct appeal to the name
of Christ. That omission may be owing
to the brevity of the record or the tenor
of Paul's discourse may have been, SO eX-
plict in regard to the course OF his au-
thority as to render the us al invocation
unnecessary. :, ,
IL. "In tho speech of Lycaonia." What
| this language was we do not know: Wheth-
er Paul preached to the people in the
Greek language or in their native tongue,
is Disputed question. The Cambridge
Bible thinks that the apostles did not I'M
derstand their language, which would ac-
I count for the fact that their Idolatrous
proceedings were not stopped sooner.
'"rhe gods" The Gentiles had corrupt
i Al. tai Ioot rinp Of tho npliy
| of God, and their various systems OF re.
! lgon were founded Oh the supposltion OF
n plurality of deitica, male and female, dit,
fering in their rank, their attributes and
the functions assigned to them. Like
ness of men" Nothing was more tamll-
lar to the heather mind than the thoughSS
Of the gods. assuming human shape ana
going around among mankind.
u. Barnabas. Jupiter, This was the
called the father of gods and men. lie
was the king Of all the universe; his
throne was Mount olympus paul, Mer.
| GURUS He was, i'll heather mythology,
represented as one of the sons OF Jupiter,
the messenger and chief spokesman of the
gods. lie was the god of cloquence. lie
was always represented as vigorous and
graceful. He was youthful in appearance.
Barnahas was supposed to be Jupiter be-
CAUSE nc Huu Il Ulptc hlSIti,u ui'pNul uhNN'
Is. Priest Of Jupiter All these del.
ties had their priests, rites and sacrifices.
"Oxcn and garapd3." The oxen were for
sacrifice, and the garlonds were either to
decorate the animals, or to crown the
apostles, OF decorate their house.
Ia. "Apoalcs." Barnabas was called
an apostle because he was sent forth by
the church, not because he had been
chosen to The peculiar work of the apostle
an - l,,. phoh n
Their lodging house and the news was
carried to them that the sacriticiial pro.
cessioa was coming. Rent their c!othcs.'
This was custom Of the Jews at the
death of their friends, in times of public
calamity, and when they heard blasphcmy.
or witnessed any great transgresslon OF
the law. "Sprang forth" Or. W They
were horror.stricken and rushed into the
multitude to stop the proceedings; 49,.
Is. Like PASSIONS Subject 10 me
same infrmtics and sulferings -mortal,s;
(R. W 1t is a message of good tidinrs
which sets forth the living God TO rnen,i
in place of dumb idols. ",rhesc vauitics.'"
The words vanity and vain were al
most invariable terms used by Jews to de.
scribe the emptiness and worthlessness OF
heather worship. Living God" This !!
the most glorious aud distinctive OF all
tho names OF God. The gods of the hcrth-
en- world were dead and powerless psa.
and Creator of the universe. therefore to
linn alone all Worship and honor are due.
10 I'm times past" The period before
the time OF Christ. Suffered" Permit
ted, allowed. IAN nations" All the Gen.
tile nations the Hebrew nation had
direct revelation from God. Their owl,
ways" God withdrew the restraints OF
His grace aud providence. In Rom. l: %
the apostle brings to view other conncc:.
abandoned the heather was that they
Il. Nevertheless Though they had
no written revelation. I'm that lie did
good" He has demonstrated His csis-
tence and moral character by doing them
good. And gave you" Or: " The
rain and fruitful seasons and food and
gladness were the witnesses God gave the
heather of His goodness, and were reasons
why they should love and obey Him:
Is. with these eayings." Paul's ad.
dress TO them thus briefly outlined.
Scarce restrained" 1t was with diff
Guilty that they prevented these Lystrans
from sacrificing to them.
10. Certain Jews" These were no
doubt the same ones who had been the
leaders il the persecution at Antioch and
lCOnllm. IcrSuaucu ING people, Ibh1
the apostles instead of being gods were
only apostate Jews deceivng The people.
Stoned" Paul refers to this in 2 Cor.
II; %. Dragged him out" OR. W
As they would drag out q dead man.
The stoning was public, in the midst Of
the city. Surprising" etc. They stoned
him until they lad the fullest cvdcn, C
that he was dead; and so, most probably,
he was. Whedon believes he was actually
dead.
20. "IIe rose up" Miraculously re-
stored to life. But even if he were not
fully dead he must have been terribly
mangled, for they all supposed him dead,
and his restoration must have been mirac-
ulous. "IIe departed" Not deeming it
safe to remain longer. ITO Derbe;' A
city a few miles further east, and the en-
treme eastern limit of Paul's missionary
tour.
81. Had taught many" Had made
many disciples. Or. W Returned"
Their courage was undaunted, aud they
return to the cities where. they have just
been so terribly prosecuted.
%. Disciples" Disciples had been
made at every point. "Niuch tribulation."
This word is from the Latin 'tribulum,'
a thrashing- instrument, or roller, whereby
the corn was separated from the husk.
"Kingdom of God" This is according to
the words of Jesus. John 1888; 10: 1921.