What is the "therefore" there for? Did they stay a long time because many believed (v1)? Did success keep them in Iconium? No! It was because there were enemies of the gospel who were stirred up (v2). This is the opposite of our natural way of thinking. We stay when all goes well. We leave when there is trouble. Here we see Paul's "deep concern for all the churches" (2 Cor. 11:28). Later they fled certain death (v6) after protecting the flock, and then returned to provide permanent shepherds (14:21-23). A good shepherd will be sure the sheep are safe at all times.
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