Acts 14:26

"And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled." Why do they come back to Antioch? To report what had taken place yonder. And besides, there is a great purpose of Providence concerned: for it was needful that they should thenceforth preach with boldness to the Gentiles. They come therefore, reporting these things, that they may be able to know them: and it is providentially ordered, that just then came those who forbade to keep company with the Gentiles in order that from Jerusalem they might obtain great encouragement, and so go their ways with boldness. And besides, it shows that in their temper there was nothing of self-will: for they come, at the same time showing their boldness, in that without the authority of those at Jerusalem they had preached to the Gentiles, and their obedience, in that they refer the matter to them: for they were not made arrogant, as having achieved so great successes. "Whence," it says, "they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled." And yet moreover the Spirit had said, "Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them."

Recommended to the grace - Or favour, of God, for the work which they had fulfilled - This shows the nature and design of that laying on of hands, which was mentioned chap. xiii, 3.

That the gospel was now preached to Jews and Gentiles together, and those of each denomination that believed came together into the church. In the close of the foregoing chapter it was preached first to the Jews, and some of them believed, and then to the Gentiles, and some of them believed; but here they are put together, being put upon the same level.

And thence sailed to Antioch,....

And thence sailed to Antioch - See the note at Act 11:19. From whence they had been recommended ... - Where they had been appointed to this missionary tour by the church, Act 13:1-4. To the grace of God - His favor and protection had been implored for them in their perilous undertaking. For the work which they fulfilled - This shows conclusively: (1) That they had accomplished fully the work which was originally contemplated. It was strictly a missionary tour among the Gentiles. It was an important and hazardous enterprise, and was the first in which the church formally engaged. Hence, so much importance is attached to it, and so faithful a record of it is preserved. (2) It shows that the act by which they were set apart to this Act 13:1-3 was not an ordination to the ministerial office. It was an appointment to a missionary tour. (3) It shows that the act was not an appointment to the apostleship. Paul was an apostle before by the express appointment of the Saviour; and Barnabas was never an apostle in the original and proper sense of the term. It was a designation to a temporary work, which was now fulfilled. We may remark, also, in regard to this missionary tour: (1) That the work of missions is one which early engaged the attention of Christians. (2) It entered into their plans, and was one in which the church was deeply interested. (3) The work of missions is attended with danger. People are now no less hostile to the gospel than they were in Lystra and Iconium. (4) Missionaries should be sustained by the prayers of the church. And, (5) In the conduct of Paul and Barnabas we have an example for missionaries in founding churches, and in regard to their own trials and persecutions. […]