Morning Bible Study: Acts 13:42-52

42  As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 
43  When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. 
44  On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 
45  When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. 
46  Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 
47  For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " 'I have made you[1] a light for the Gentiles, that you[2] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'[3] " 
48  When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 
49  The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 
50  But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 
51  So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. 
52  And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Footnotes

[1] 13:47 The Greek is singular.

[2] 13:47 The Greek is singular.

[3] 13:47 Isaiah 49:6

(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary -- www.christianity.com)

"Commentary on Acts 13:42-52

The Jews opposed the doctrine the apostles preached; and when they could find no objection, they blasphemed Christ and his gospel. Commonly those who begin with contradicting, end with blaspheming. But when adversaries of Christ's cause are daring, its advocates should be the bolder. And while many judge themselves unworthy of eternal life, others, who appear less likely, desire to hear more of the glad tidings of salvation. This is according to what was foretold in the Old Testament. What light, what power, what a treasure does this gospel bring with it! How excellent are its truths, its precepts, its promises! Those came to Christ whom the Father drew, and to whom the Spirit made the gospel call effectual, Romans 8:30. As many as were disposed to eternal life, as many as had concern about their eternal state, and aimed to make sure of eternal life, believed in Christ, in whom God has treasured up that life, and who is the only Way to it; and it was the grace of God that wrought it in them. It is good to see honourable women devout; the less they have to do in the world, the more they should do for their own souls, and the souls of others: but it is sad, when, under colour of devotion to God, they try to show hatred to Christ. And the more we relish the comforts and encouragements we meet with in the power of godliness, and the fuller our hearts are of them, the better prepared we are to face difficulties in the profession of godliness."

Romans 8:30

30  And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.