Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
The grace of God, was glad (thn xarin thn tou qeou exarh). Note repetition of the article, "the grace that of God." The verb (second aorist passive indicative of xairw) has the same root as xariv. See the same suavis paronomasia in Luke 1:28. "Grace brings gladness" (Page). "A smaller man would have raised difficulties as to circumcision or baptism" (Furneaux).
He exhorted (parekalei). Imperfect active, picturing the continuous encouragement from Barnabas.
With purpose of heart (th proqesei thv kardiav). Placing before (from protiqhmi), old word for set plan as in Acts 27:13; Romans 8:28. The glow of the first enthusiasm might pass as often happens after a revival. Barnabas had a special gift (Acts 4:36) for work like this.
Cleave unto the Lord ( prosmenein en tw kuriw). Dative case (locative if en is genuine) of kuriov (here Jesus again) after prosemenein to keep on remaining loyal to (present active infinitive). Persistence was needed in such a pagan city.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Acts 11:23:
Acts 4:36
Acts 15:1
Ephesians 1:11
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