And after spending some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Parallel translations
- WEB Having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.
- KJV And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
- BSB After Paul had spent some time in Antioch, he traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
- NKJV After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
- NLT After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
After a stay in Antioch, Paul set out again through Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening the disciples.
Overview
This opening of Paul's third missionary journey shows his pastoral heart for the churches he had planted. Rather than only breaking new ground, he revisited believers to establish and strengthen their faith. The verse underscores that gospel mission includes not only conversion but the ongoing care and grounding of disciples.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Acts 14:22confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom.
- Acts 16:6When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
- Acts 15:41He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.
- Acts 15:32Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.
- 1 Th 5:14We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.
- 1 Cor 16:1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I commanded the assemblies of Galatia, you do likewise.
- Gal 4:14That which was a temptation to you in my flesh, you didn’t despise nor reject; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
- Acts 16:40They went out of the prison, and entered into Lydia’s house. When they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them, and departed.
- Dan 11:1“As for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.
- 1 Th 4:18Therefore comfort one another with these words.
- Heb 12:12–13Therefore lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees,
- Isa 35:3–4Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
- Ezra 1:6All those who were around them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with animals, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered.
- Gal 1:2and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:
- Luke 22:32but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”
- 1 Th 3:2and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;
- Luke 22:43An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him.
- Deut 3:28But commission Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you shall see.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 18:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.