Bible Strands
Acts 16:40
After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house to see the brothers and encourage them. Then they left the city.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul and Silas act immediately after the Roman officials personally escort them from the jail and request their departure from Philippi. They visit Lydia’s residence to meet the local believers before departing the city.
The words — ἐξελθόντες (exelthontes) translates literally as "having gone forth," marking the transition from confinement to their next action. εἰσῆλθον (eisēlthon) means "they entered," specifying their deliberate movement to Lydia’s house.
The thread — The directive to strengthen and encourage believers appears in Acts 14:22 and 1 Thessalonians 3:2, where similar pastoral visits aim to fortify faith amid hardship. Acts 16:14 identifies Lydia as a worshiper of God whose heart the Lord opened to respond to Paul’s message.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to recognize that post-crisis pastoral visits prioritize the spiritual fortification of the community over personal safety or public recognition. It demands a practical commitment to visiting and encouraging believers before moving to the next assignment.
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 they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
Cross-references
- Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
- Acts 16:14 Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
- 1 Thessalonians 3:2 We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
- 2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
- 2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.
- 2 Corinthians 4:8 We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
- Acts 4:23 On their release, Peter and John returned to their own people and reported everything that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
- Acts 12:12 And when he had realized this, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered together and were praying.
- Acts 16:2 The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.