Paul had been stoned in Lystra. Paul and Barnabas had barely escaped being stoned in Iconium, and they had been expelled from Antioch. The Jews who raised persecution against them in these cities had followed them from city to city. Yet, the persecution did not stop Paul and Barnabas from going back to these cities to confirm the souls of the disciples. The apostles did not just go into a city, get people excited about the Word of God and then leave them alone. They went back and exhorted the believers to continue in the right way of believing and they shared more of God's Word to strengthen and confirm that which they had taught on their initial visit.
Acts 14:23
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.
Paul and Barnabas shared God's Word with the believers and encouraged them to continue in the right way of believing. They appointed elders in each fellowship. They did all they could in the short time they had with the believers to insure that they would have support in their walk. Then they did one more thing: "they commended them to the Lord." It was God who selected Paul and Barnabas to move the Word in these cities in the first place and only by relying upon God can believers stand.
Acts 14:24-26
And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia:
And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
As they went back to Antioch they continued to hold forth God's Word. The Word of God declares that when they returned that they had fulfilled the work that God sent them to do. What a great declaration! They did not quit when the going got tough. They held forth God's Word and people believed. When they got back home they had a great deal to share with the believers in Antioch.
Acts 14:27-28
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.
And there they abode long time with the disciples.
Gladly
Acts