One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent.
Parallel translations
- WEB The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Don’t be afraid, but speak and don’t be silent;
- KJV Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
- NKJV Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;
- NASB And the Lord said to Paul by a vision at night, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;
- NLT One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!
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
The Lord appeared to Paul in a vision, urging him not to fear but to keep speaking boldly.
Overview
Facing opposition and likely weariness, Paul received a personal word of assurance from the risen Christ. The command not to be silent shows that even apostles needed encouragement to persevere. Christ's nearness to His servant in a hostile city displays His faithful care for those who proclaim His name.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Acts 23:11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”
- Eph 6:19–20Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,
- Ezek 2:6–8But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house.
- Acts 27:23–25For just last night an angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood beside me
- Acts 16:9During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
- Jer 1:17Get yourself ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them, or I will terrify you before them.
- 2 Cor 12:1–3I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
- Mic 3:8As for me, however, I am filled with power by the Spirit of the LORD, with justice and courage, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.
- Ezek 3:9–11I will make your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or dismayed at their presence, even though they are a rebellious house.”
- 1 Th 2:2As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God.
- Jonah 3:2“Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message that I give you.”
- Isa 58:1“Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.
- Acts 22:18and saw the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem quickly, because the people here will not accept your testimony about Me.’
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 18:9 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
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