Acts 14:23 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

Ordained; the word properly signifies a stretching out of the hand, such as was used when they gave their suffrages in the election of their magistrates, whereby was showed for whom they gave their voice; and afterwards it was commonly used for to constitute or appoint, or, as here, to ordain to any office or place; which might the rather be done by stretching out or laying on of the hands of the apostles, because by that means the Holy Ghost (or a power of working miracles) was frequently bestowed, Acts 8:17,18, which in those times was necessary to authorize their doctrine to the infidel world. Elders; such as might instruct and govern the church. They commended them; they commended the disciples as their jewels and chiefest treasure; as all sufferers are to commit their very souls to God, 1 Peter 4:19. To the Lord; to Christ, the best and faithful Keeper, that he should keep and further them in grace and goodness; to whose providence they wholly had committed themselves.

Acts 14:23

23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.