Now they who were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
Read Chapter 11
John Chrysostom
AD 407
and not as we who pass our time in lamentations and tears, in our calamities; but with more fearlessness they passed their time, as having got to a distance from those hindering them, and as being among men not afraid of the Jews: which also helped. And they came to Cyprus, where they had the sea between them, and greater freedom from anxiety: so they made no account of the fear of men, but (still) they gave the precedence to the regard of the Law: they spoke to Jews only. But there were in Antioch certain men of Cyprus and Cyrene: these, of all others, least cared for the Jews: who spoke unto the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus.
Do you mark how even in the tribulation instead of falling to lamentations and tears, as we do, they give themselves up to a great and good work? Travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, and there with more security preached the word. And some of them, which were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, etc.
The persecution turned out to be no slight benefit as to them that love God all things work together for good. Romans 8:28 If they had made it their express study how best to establish the Church, they would have done no other thing than this— they dispersed the teachers. Mark in what quarters the preaching was extended. They travelled, it says, as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch; to none however did they preach the word but to Jews only. Do you mark with what wise purposes of Providence so much was done in the case of Cornelius? This serves both to justify Christ, and to impeach the Jews. When Stephen was slain, when Paul was twice in danger, when the Apostles were scourged, then the Gentiles received the word, then the Samaritans. Which Paul also declares: To you it was necessary that the Word of God should first be spoken; but since you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy, lo, we turn unto the Gentiles. Acts 13:46 Accordingly they went about, preaching to Gentile...
The persecution turned out to be no slight benefit as "to them that love God all things work together for good." (Romans 8:28.) If they had made it their express study how best to establish the Church, they would have done no other thing than this--they dispersed the teachers. Mark in what quarters the preaching was extended. "They travelled," it says, "as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch; to none however did they preach the word but to Jews only." Dost thou mark with what wise purposes of Providence so much was done in the case of Cornelius? This serves both to justify Christ, and to impeach the Jews. When Stephen was slain, when Paul was twice in danger, when the Apostles were scourged, then the Gentiles received the word, then the Samaritans. Which Paul also declares: "To you it was necessary that the Word of God should first be spoken; but since ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy, lo, we turn unto the Gentiles." (ch. xiii. 46.) Accordingly they went about, p...
