King James Version

What Does Acts 14:26 Mean?

Acts 14:26 in the King James Version says “And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfille...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.”

Acts 14:26 · KJV

Grace

Context

24

And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

25

And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

26

And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

27

And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

28

And there they abode long time with the disciples.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. The missionaries' return to their sending church demonstrates accountability and partnership in gospel work. The Greek paradothentes (παραδοθέντες, "recommended") means "handed over, committed," emphasizing the church's role in commissioning. They were commended to the grace of God (τῇ χάριτι τοῦ θεοῦ)—not to their own abilities but to divine enabling. Charis (grace) here means God's empowering favor for mission.

For the work which they fulfilled (εἰς τὸ ἔργον ὃ ἐπλήρωσαν)—the aorist verb plēroō (fulfilled, completed) indicates successful mission completion. They didn't abandon their assignment despite persecution, stoning, and opposition. This establishes the local church as the proper sending and receiving agency for missionaries, not independent operators. The phrase "from whence they had been" emphasizes returning to origins, closing the missional circle with testimony of God's faithfulness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Syrian Antioch (Acts 11:19-26, 13:1-3) was the first predominantly Gentile church and launching point for systematic Gentile missions. Founded by persecution-scattered disciples, it became Christianity's second great center after Jerusalem. The journey's completion (circa AD 48) preceded the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), which would address theological tensions from Gentile conversions this trip generated.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the pattern of sending churches commissioning and receiving missionaries inform contemporary mission accountability?
  2. What does being commended 'to the grace of God' teach about where true missionary power and protection originate?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
κἀκεῖθεν1 of 16

“And thence”

G2547

likewise from that place (or time)

ἀπέπλευσαν2 of 16

“sailed”

G636

to set sail

εἰς3 of 16

“for”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

Ἀντιόχειαν4 of 16

“Antioch”

G490

antioch (antiochia), a place in syria

ὅθεν5 of 16

“from whence”

G3606

from which place or source or cause (adverb or conjunction)

ἦσαν6 of 16

“they had been”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

παραδεδομένοι7 of 16

“recommended”

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

τῇ8 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χάριτι9 of 16

“to the grace”

G5485

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart

τοῦ10 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ11 of 16

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

εἰς12 of 16

“for”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ13 of 16
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔργον14 of 16

“the work”

G2041

toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act

ὃ15 of 16

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐπλήρωσαν16 of 16

“they fulfilled”

G4137

to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 14:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 14:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 15:40Acts 11:19Acts 11:262 Corinthians 1:12Colossians 4:17Colossians 1:28

Places in This Verse

Antioch 1Settlement · Modern: Antioch on the Orontes · 36.23°N, 36.17°E18 verses across 2 books
AttaliaSettlement · Modern: Antalya · 36.88°N, 30.70°E2 verses across 1 book
View all places in Acts 14 →

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