Acts 13:2
Context13:2 While they were serving 1 the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart 2 for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Acts 14:26
Context14:26 From there they sailed back to Antioch, 3 where they had been commended 4 to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 5
Acts 15:38
Context15:38 but Paul insisted 6 that they should not take along this one who had left them in Pamphylia 7 and had not accompanied them in the work.
1 tn This term is frequently used in the LXX of the service performed by priests and Levites in the tabernacle (Exod 28:35, 43; 29:30; 30:20; 35:19; 39:26; Num 1:50; 3:6, 31) and the temple (2 Chr 31:2; 35:3; Joel 1:9, 13; 2:17, and many more examples). According to BDAG 591 s.v. λειτουργέω 1.b it is used “of other expression of religious devotion.” Since the previous verse described the prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch, it is probable that the term here describes two of them (Barnabas and Saul) as they were serving in that capacity. Since they were not in Jerusalem where the temple was located, general religious service is referred to here.
2 tn Or “Appoint.”
3 sn Antioch was the city in Syria (not Antioch in Pisidia) from which Paul’s first missionary journey began (see Acts 13:1-4). That first missionary journey ends here, after covering some 1,400 mi (2,240 km).
map For location see JP1 F2; JP2 F2; JP3 F2; JP4 F2.
4 tn Or “committed.” BDAG 762 s.v. παραδίδωμι 2 gives “commended to the grace of God for the work 14:26” as the meaning for this phrase, although “give over” and “commit” are listed as alternative meanings for this category.
5 tn BDAG 829 s.v. πληρόω 5 has “to bring to completion an activity in which one has been involved from its beginning, complete, finish” as meanings for this category. The ministry to which they were commissioned ends with a note of success.
6 tn BDAG 94 s.v. ἀξιόω 2.a has “he insisted (impf.) that they should not take him along” for this phrase.
7 sn Pamphylia was a province in the southern part of Asia Minor. See Acts 13:13, where it was mentioned previously.