Acts 14 · Verse 3

Acts 14:3

Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Acts 14:3, King James Version

Acts 14:3 in other translations

BSBSo Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who affirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.
WEBTherefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
ASVLong time therefore they tarried there speaking boldly in the Lord, who bare witness unto the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
YLTlong time, indeed, therefore, did they abide speaking boldly in the Lord, who is testifying to the word of His grace, and granting signs and wonders to come to pass through their hands.
DARBYThey stayed therefore a good while, speaking boldly, confiding in the Lord, who gave witness to the word of his grace, giving signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
BBESo they kept there for a long time, taking heart in the Lord, who gave witness to the word of his grace by causing signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
WebsterA long time therefore they abode speaking boldly in the Lord, who gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

What does Acts 14:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. Long time therefore abode they--because in spite of opposition they were meeting with so much success. speaking boldly in the Lord--rather, "in dependence on the Lord," that is, on their glorified Head. who gave testimony to the word of his grace--a notable definition of the Gospel, whose whole burden is GRACE. and granted--"granting," that is, who confirmed the Gospel by granting miraculous attestation to it. (The "and" is wanting in the best manuscripts).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. Long time therefore. In this city they were not daunted by persecution. It seems probable that there were here no forcible or public measures to expel them, as there had been at Antioch, Acts 13:50, and they therefore regarded it as their duty to remain. God granted them here also great success, which was the main reason for their continuing a long time. Persecution and opposition may be attended often with signal success to the gospel.

Speaking boldly in the Lord. In the cause of the Lord Jesus; or in his name and authority. Perhaps also the expression includes the idea of their trusting in the Lord.

Which gave testimony. Bore witness to the truth of their message by working miracles, etc. Comp. Mk 16:20. This was evidently the Lord Jesus to whom reference is here made; and it shows that he was still, though bodily absent from them, clothed with power, and still displayed that power in the advancement of his cause. The conversion of sinners accomplished by him is always a testimony as decided as it is cheering to the labours and messages of his servants.

Unto the word of his grace. His gracious word, or message.

And granted signs, etc. Miracles. Acts 2:22.

(+) "boldly in the Lord" "concerning" (*) "which" "who" (d) "gave testimony" Mk 16:20, Heb 2:4

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 Long time therefore abode they - Because they had great success, therefore they continued a long time, gaining many converts, and building up those who had believed, in their most holy faith; notwithstanding the opposition they met with, both from the unbelieving Jews and heathens. Speaking boldly - Παρῥησιαζομενοι, Having great liberty of speech, a copious and commanding eloquence, springing from a consciousness of the truth which they preached. The word of his grace - The Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the doctrine of God's grace, mercy, or favor to mankind. And granted signs and wonders to be done - For no apostle could work a miracle by himself; nor was any sign or wonder wrought even by the greatest apostle, but by an especial grant or dispensation of God. This power was not resident in them at all times; it was only now and then communicated, when a miracle was necessary for the confirmation of the truth preached.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 14:1-7

The apostles spake so plainly, with such evidence and proof of the Spirit, and with such power; so warmly, and with such concern for the souls of men; that those who heard them could not but say, God was with them of a truth. Yet the success was not to be reckoned to the manner of their preaching, but to the Spirit of God who used that means. Perseverance in doing good, amidst dangers and hardships, is a blessed…

Read the full comment on Acts 14:1-7 →

Acts 14:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἹκανὸνHikanonA longG2425
μὲνmenindeedG3303
οὖνounthereforeG3767
χρόνονchronontimeG5550
διέτριψανdietripsanthey stayedG1304
παρρησιαζόμενοιparrēsiazomenoispeaking boldlyG3955
ἐπὶepiaboutG1909
τῷtōtheG3588
κυρίῳkuriōLordG2962
τῷtōwhoG3588
μαρτυροῦντιmarturountiis bearing witnessG3140
τῷtōtheG3588
λόγῳlogōwordG3056
τῆςtēsof theG3588
χάριτοςcharitosgraceG5485
αὐτοῦ,autouof Him,G846
διδόντιdidontigrantingG1325
σημεῖαsēmeiasignsG4592
καὶkaiandG2532
τέραταteratawondersG5059
γίνεσθαιginesthaito be doneG1096
διὰdiathroughG1223
τῶνtōntheG3588
χειρῶνcheirōnhandsG5495
αὐτῶν.autōnof them.G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 14:3

  • Hebrews 2:4

    God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

  • Ephesians 6:18-20

    Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

  • Acts 20:32

    And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

  • Acts 20:24

    But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

  • Romans 1:16

    For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

  • Mark 16:20

    And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

  • Acts 4:29-30

    And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:2

    But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

  • Acts 19:10-12

    And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

  • Acts 2:22

    Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

  • Acts 5:32

    And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:8-9

    But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
therefore.
18:9-11; 19:10; 1Co 16:8,9
speaking.
13:46; Eph 6:18-20; 1Th 2:2
which.
2:22; 5:32; Mr 16:20; Heb 2:4
the word.
20:24,32; Ro 1:16
granted.
4:29,30; 5:12-14; 19:11,12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 14:2

    But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

  • Acts 14:3

    Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

  • Acts 14:4

    But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

Read all of Acts 14

Acts 14:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Con todo eso se detuvieron allí mucho tiempo, confiados en el Señor, el cual daba testimonio á la palabra de su gracia, dando que señales y milagros fuesen hechos por las manos de ellos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Ils séjournèrent donc là assez longtemps, parlant hardiment, appuyés sur le Seigneur, qui rendait témoignage à la parole de sa grâce, accordant que des miracles et des prodiges se fassent par leurs mains.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Sie verweilten nun lange Zeit und sprachen freimütig in dem Herrn, der dem Worte seiner Gnade Zeugnis gab, indem er Zeichen und Wunder geschehen ließ durch ihre Hände.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Multo igitur tempore demorati sunt, fiducialiter agentes in Domino, testimonium perhibente verbo gratiæ suæ, dante signa et prodigia fieri per manus eorum.