He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well,
9. He heard Paul speak. Hearing is set down first, that we may know that the faith which Luke will commend by and by was conceived of Paul’s doctrine. Therefore, when he heard Paul, he hoped to be healed. But the question is, whether this was promised to him specially; for God doth not command us to hope for everything by and by, “Protinus,” forthwith.
This cripple, lame from birth and never able to walk, represents our spiritual impotency until God's grace strengthens us. He heard Paul preach and believed the apostles had divine power to heal him; that faith Paul perceived and acted upon, working a cure that testified to the gospel's power among the Gentiles.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 14:8-18
The same heard Paul speak,.... That is, preach the Gospel; he was one of his hearers, and faith came to hint by hearing; the Arabic version adds, "he cried unto him"; that is, to Paul, whom he heard: who steadfastly beholding him; not the lame man beholding Paul, but Paul beholding the lame man, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions both express it, as also...