Bible Strands
Acts 15:41
And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The narrator records Paul’s movements immediately after his departure from Antioch with Silas. He visits congregations in two Roman provinces following the Jerusalem council's decree.
The words — The verb διέρχετο (diērcheto) literally means he was passing through or traveling across. The participle ἐπιστηρίζων (epistērizōn) describes the concurrent action of strengthening or establishing those communities.
The thread — This geographic route is confirmed in Paul’s own account in Galatians 1:21. The same mission context frames the letter sent in Acts 15:23 and echoes the earlier encouragement ministry of Silas recorded in Acts 15:32.
Why it lands — The text reports a factual itinerary of pastoral visitation rather than a doctrinal statement. It requires the reader to acknowledge that early church consolidation depended on direct apostolic travel and the practical reinforcement of local believers.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Cross-references
- Acts 15:23 and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
- Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
- Galatians 1:21 Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
- Acts 6:9 But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They disputed with Stephen,
- Acts 16:4 As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
- Acts 21:3 After sighting Cyprus and passing south of it, we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo.
- Acts 18:18 Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.