What does Acts 14:6 mean?

Explanation

Acts 14:6 recounts a moment during the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, two key figures in the early Christian church. After having preached in Iconium and having faced opposition that threatened their safety, they became aware of a plot to harm them.

The verse highlights their response to this threat - they fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities in the region of Lycaonia.

This flight was not out of cowardice but an act of prudence to continue their mission.

By fleeing to Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region, they strategically retreated to places where they could safely spread the Gospel.

Historical Context

At the time this verse was written, spreading the early Christian message was a dangerous task.

Lystra and Derbe were cities in the Roman province of Galatia, in what is now modern-day Turkey.

The early church faced significant persecution from both Jewish authorities and Roman officials who viewed Christianity as a threat to the existing social and religious order.

Paul's missionary journeys took place in this volatile environment, requiring him to navigate both hostility and opportunity for the church's expansion.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse illustrates the theme of divine providence and wisdom in missionary work.

Paul and Barnabas's decision to flee rather than confront their persecutors suggests their discernment in knowing when to boldly proclaim the message and when to preserve their lives for future ministry.

It also reflects Jesus' teaching to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16).

Persecution, rather than halting the spread of the Gospel, often accelerates it by forcing the message into new regions.

Practical Applications

Practically, Acts 14:6 challenges believers to consider their response to opposition.

It teaches the importance of prudence in dangerous situations and the need for strategic thinking in ministry and life.

It also encourages adaptability, resilience, and trust in God’s guidance when facing persecution or hardship.

Cross-References

• Matthew 10:23: "But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another..."
• Acts 9:25: "Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket."
• Acts 14:19-20: "And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead."

Language Study

• "They were ware of it": The phrase suggests an awareness or foreknowledge of the plots against them.
• "Fled": The Greek word used here is "pheugo," which means to escape or seek safety by flight.
• "Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia": This specifies the location to which Paul and Barnabas fled, providing an accurate historical reference to the geography of the time.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Lycaonia, where Lystra and Derbe are located, was a region steeped in Greco-Roman and indigenous Anatolian culture.

The response of Paul and Barnabas to persecution resembles the actions of various figures in ancient myths who would often flee from danger, such as Aeneas in Virgil's "Aeneid." Comparatively, in other religions, figures who face persecution might react differently, some choosing martyrdom over strategic retreat.

Scientific Perspectives

There is no direct scientific intersection with the specific actions described in Acts 14:6.

However, in terms of human behavior, psychology teaches that fight or flight is a common response to threat. Here, the "flight" response is a considered strategic decision rather than an instinctual reaction, showing a higher level of cognitive processing at play.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary notes that the apostles, knowing of the violence intended against them, took care of their own safety, by the direction of Christ, and did not uselessly throw away their lives. 2.

The Expositor's Greek Testament highlights the strategic nature of their retreat to continue their work elsewhere, emphasizing the spread of the Gospel over confrontation. 3.

The Pulpit Commentary discusses the continuing theme of persecution in Acts, indicating that opposition often served to spread the message of Christianity by dispersing its messengers.