Acts 14:7
And there they preached the gospel.
Acts 14:7 (KJV)
Context
Paul and Barnabas had been ministering in Iconium, where they spoke boldly in the Lord, who confirmed the message of His grace with signs and wonders (Acts 14:3). When a plot arose to stone them, they fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region (Acts 14:5-6). Acts 14:7 records that in this place of refuge, they preached the gospel.
Meaning
The Greek verb behind “preached” indicates continued, ongoing action. They did not make a single proclamation and then stop; they kept preaching the gospel while in these cities. The gospel they declared is the good news of Jesus Christ—His life, death, resurrection, and the call to repentance and faith for salvation. This message was not limited by cultural or religious barriers; it was offered to a pagan city in great need of hearing the truth about Jesus and the hope of salvation.
Biblical connections
Their response to being driven out of one city was not to cease their work but to continue it in the next place they went. This reflects the broader theme in Acts of the unstoppable spread of the Word of God, which flourishes even through trials and displacement. The apostles’ commitment demonstrates that proclaiming the gospel was their central, non-negotiable task, and it should remain central for the church.
Application
This passage urges believers to be willing to go to places where people have not heard the good news, to engage with those unfamiliar with Scripture, and to proclaim the gospel with love, clarity, and a genuine desire for others to experience salvation. We may encounter opposition or rejection, yet we are encouraged to remain faithful and trust that God’s Word does not return void. Even when immediate results are not evident, we can rely on the transformative power of God’s Word at work in the hearts and lives of those who hear it.
Reflection
Acts 14:7 reminds us of the importance of proclaiming the gospel, encourages faithful witness, and assures us that the gospel is powerful and transformative, bearing fruit in God’s appointed time.
