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Acts 15:41

Acts 15:41 in Multiple Translations

And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, making the churches stronger in the faith.

Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches there.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, stablishing the Churches.

and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies.

He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches, commanding them to keep the precepts of the apostles and the ancients.

Paul continued traveling with Silas through Syria and Cilicia provinces. In those places he was helping the congregations to trust strongly in the Lord Jesus.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Acts 15:41

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Acts 15:41 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK διηρχετο δε την συριαν και κιλικιαν επιστηριζων τας εκκλησιας
διηρχετο dierchomai G1330 to pass through Verb-INI-3S
δε de G1161 then Conj
την ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASF
συριαν Suria G4947 Syria Noun-ASF
και kai G2532 and Conj
κιλικιαν Kilikia, Kilikia G2791 Cilicia Noun-ASF
επιστηριζων epistērizō G1991 to strengthen Verb-PAP-NSM
τας ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APF
εκκλησιας ekklēsia G1577 assembly Noun-APF
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Greek Word Reference — Acts 15:41

διηρχετο dierchomai G1330 "to pass through" Verb-INI-3S
To pass through means to traverse or go from one side to the other. In the Bible, it is used in Matthew 19:24 and Luke 2:35 to describe moving from one place to another.
Definition: δι-έρχομαι [in LXX for אֵבֶר, הָלַךְ, בּוֹא, etc. ;] __1. to go through, pass through; __(a) of things: Mat.19:24, Mrk.10:25, Luk.2:35, al.; __(b) of persons: Luk.19:4; with accusative loc., Luk.19:1, Heb.4:14, Act.12:10; before διά, with genitive loc., Mat.12:43, 1Co.10:1; before εἰς, Mrk.4:35; ἕως, Luk.2:15. __2. to go about: Luk.9:6, Act.20:25; of a report, to spread, go abroad (Thuc.), Luk.5:15 (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 41 NT verses. KJV: come, depart, go (about, abroad, everywhere, over, through, throughout), pass (by, over, through, throughout), pierce through, travel, walk through See also: 1 Corinthians 10:1; Acts 19:1; Hebrews 4:14.
δε de G1161 "then" Conj
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.
την ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASF
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
συριαν Suria G4947 "Syria" Noun-ASF
Syria refers to a region in Asia, mentioned in the Bible as a place Jesus visited, in Matthew 4:24 and Luke 2:2.
Definition: Συρία, -'ιό, ή Syria: Mat.4:24, Luk.2:2, Act.15:23, 41 18:18 20:3 21:3, Gal.1:21.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 8 NT verses. KJV: Syria See also: Acts 15:23; Acts 21:3; Matthew 4:24.
και kai G2532 "and" Conj
And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.
Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.
κιλικιαν Kilikia, Kilikia G2791 "Cilicia" Noun-ASF
Cilicia was a region in Asia Minor where the apostle Paul traveled and preached. It is mentioned in Acts 6:9 and Galatians 1:21. The region played a significant role in early Christianity.
Definition: Κιλικία, -ας, ἡ Cilicia, a province of Asia Minor: Act.6:9 15:23, 41 21:39 22:3 23:34 27:5, Gal.1:21.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 8 NT verses. KJV: Cilicia See also: Acts 6:9; Acts 22:3; Galatians 1:21.
επιστηριζων epistērizō G1991 "to strengthen" Verb-PAP-NSM
This word means to make something stronger, like when Paul and Barnabas strengthened the disciples in Acts 14:22. It is about giving support and confirmation. This concept appears in the book of Acts.
Definition: ἐπι-στηρίζω [in LXX for סָמַךְ, etc. ;] to make stronger, confirm: with accusative, Act.14:22 15:32, 41.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: confirm, strengthen See also: Acts 14:22; Acts 15:41; Acts 18:23.
τας ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APF
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
εκκλησιας ekklēsia G1577 "assembly" Noun-APF
An assembly refers to a group of people gathered together for a common purpose, like a church or community, as seen in Acts 19:32 and Hebrews 2:12. This term is used to describe both Jewish and Christian communities.
Definition: ἐκκλησία, -ας, ἡ (ἐκ-καλέω), [in LXX chiefly for קָהָל, otherwise for one of its cogn. forms ;] __1. prop., an assembly of citizens regularly convened (in Thuc., ii, 22, opposite to σύλλογος, a concourse): Act.19:32, 39 41. __2. In LXX of the assembly, congregation, community of Israel (Deu.4:10 23:2, al.): Act.7:38, Heb.2:12" (LXX) . __3. NT, esp. of an assembly or company of Christians, a (the) church; __(a) of gatherings for worship: 1Co.11:18 14:19, 34 35; __(b) of local communities: Act.8:3, 1Co.4:17; with name added, Act.8:1, Rom.16:1, 1Th.1:1, al.; pl., Act.15:41, 1Co.7:17; τ. Χριστοῦ, Rom.16:16; τ. Ἀσίας, 1Co.16:19; τ. ἁγίων, 1Co.14:33; εἰπο]ν τ. ἐκκλησίᾳ, Mat.18:17 (but see Hort, Ecclesia, 10); of a house-congregation (DB, i, 431a), Rom.16:5, 1Co.16:19, Col.4:15, Phm 2; __(with) of the whole body of Christians: Mat.16:18, 1Co.12:28, Eph.1:22, Php.3:6, al.; τ. θεοῦ, Act.20:28 (Κυρίου, T, R, mg.), 1Co.15:9, Gal.1:13, 1Ti.3:15; ἐ. προτοτόκων ἀπογεγραμμένων ἐν οὐρανοῖς, Heb.12:23. SYN.: συναγωγή, which see (see Tr., Syn., §i; DB, i, 426; Hort, Ecclesia, esp. 4ff., 107ff.; Hamilton, People of God, ii, 37ff.; reff. s.vv. "Church," "Congregation," in DB and DCG; Cremer, 332). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 112 NT verses. KJV: assembly, church See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 15:41; Hebrews 2:12.

Study Notes — Acts 15:41

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context — Paul’s Second Missionary Journey Begins

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 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.
2 Galatians 1:21 Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
3 Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
4 Acts 16:4–5 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. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.
5 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.
6 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 began to argue with Stephen,
7 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.

Acts 15:41 Summary

This verse tells us that Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. This means that he went to visit the believers in these areas and helped them to grow in their faith, as seen in Acts 14:21-23. He did this by preaching and teaching, and by encouraging them to remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 16:13). By following Paul's example, we can learn the importance of supporting and encouraging one another in our faith, and of using our gifts and talents to help build up and strengthen the church (Ephesians 4:12).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Paul travel through Syria and Cilicia?

Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia to strengthen the churches, which was a key part of his ministry as seen in Acts 14:21-23 and Ephesians 4:12, where he built up and encouraged believers in their faith.

What does it mean to strengthen the churches?

To strengthen the churches means to help them grow in their faith and to encourage them to remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ, as seen in Acts 18:23 and 1 Corinthians 16:13, where Paul encouraged believers to stand firm in their faith.

How did Paul's travels affect the early Christian church?

Paul's travels had a profound impact on the early Christian church, as he helped to establish and strengthen churches throughout the region, as seen in Acts 13:1-3 and Romans 15:19, where he preached the gospel and encouraged believers to spread the message of Jesus Christ.

What can we learn from Paul's example in this verse?

We can learn from Paul's example the importance of encouraging and supporting one another in our faith, as seen in Hebrews 10:24-25 and Galatians 6:2, where believers are encouraged to bear one another's burdens and to meet together to encourage one another in their faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I can help to strengthen the church in my own community?
  2. How can I, like Paul, be a source of encouragement and support to my fellow believers?
  3. What are some challenges that I face in my own faith, and how can I seek out the support and encouragement of others to help me overcome them?
  4. In what ways can I use my own gifts and talents to help build up and strengthen the church, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:4-7?
  5. How can I balance my own needs and desires with the needs of the church, as Paul did in his ministry?

Gill's Exposition on Acts 15:41

And he went through Syria and Cilicia,.... Antioch was the metropolis of the former, and Tarsus, the apostle's native place, was in the latter; and in both these countries he had been before, and had

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 15:41

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Acts 15:41

Syria and Cilicia; where there were several brethren by reason of the dispersion that was upon Stephen’ s death, ; and unto whom also the before recited letter was written, . Confirming the churches; puting them in mind of the gospel of Christ, which they had heard and believed; and encouraging of them to persevere in the profession of it, and being ready to answer any objection that could be brought against it.

Trapp's Commentary on Acts 15:41

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. Ver. 41. And he went] Being incessant and unsatisfiable in his master Christ’ s service.

Ellicott's Commentary on Acts 15:41

(41) He went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.—Cilicia, it will be remembered, had not been visited on St. Paul’s first journey with Barnabas, and the churches must accordingly have been founded at some earlier period, probably during St. Paul’s residence at Tarsus before he came to Antioch (Acts 9:30; Acts 11:25). Confirming is, it need hardly be said, used in the general sense of “strengthening,” but as the bestowal of spiritual gifts by the laying-on of hands was a chief part of the work so done, it, at least, approximates to the idea of “confirming” in the later and more technical sense of the term.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Acts 15:41

Verse 41. Confirming the Churches.] This was the object of his journey: they were young converts, and had need of establishment; and there is no doubt that, by showing them the decision made at the late council of Jerusalem, their faith was greatly strengthened, their hope confirmed, and their love increased. It was this consideration, no doubt, that led some ancient MSS. and some versions to add here, They delivered them the decrees of the apostles and elders to keep; which clause certainly was not an original part of the text, but seems to have been borrowed from the fourth verse of the following chapter. Some have thought that the fourth and fifth verses of the next chapter really belong to this place; or that the first, second, and third verses of it should be read in a parenthesis; but of this there does not appear to be any particular necessity.

Cambridge Bible on Acts 15:41

41. Syria and Cilicia] These were the districts in which the teaching of the Judaizers had been most active, and the presence of Paul, with Silas as a representative of the church in Jerusalem, would allay all doubts and questionings, and lead to those results which are mentioned Acts 16:5, the establishing of the churches, and their daily increase. in numbers. This duty St Paul first discharged before he went on to visit any of the churches which himself had founded.

Barnes' Notes on Acts 15:41

Syria and Cilicia - These were countries lying near to each other, which Paul, in company with Barnabas, had before visited. Confirming the churches - Strengthening them by instruction and exhortation.

Whedon's Commentary on Acts 15:41

41. Through Syria—The eastern coastland of the Mediterranean, of which Tyre and Sidon were the chief cities. Cilicia—(See note on Acts 6:9.)

Sermons on Acts 15:41

SermonDescription
Stephen Kaung Acts 11 - James by Stephen Kaung In this sermon, the minister begins by praising the Lord and asking for His guidance and revelation through His word. The sermon focuses on the formation of the body of Christ acco
David Servant Day 59, 1 Thessalonians 2 by David Servant David Servant preaches about Paul's journey from being tested and approved by God to being entrusted with the gospel, emphasizing the importance of being found faithful in ministry
Jim Cymbala Something You Need, Something You Can Be by Jim Cymbala In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of encouraging others through the Word of God. She mentions how Steve Green, a previous guest, used music and Scripture to fee
Shane Idleman How to Stay Encouraged by Shane Idleman This sermon emphasizes the impact of discouragement and the importance of staying encouraged in the Lord. It highlights how discouragement can lead to sin and relapse, but God offe
Ian Paisley Popish Confirmation by Ian Paisley Ian Paisley denounces the sacrament of Confirmation in Popery, highlighting its false claims of conferring grace and salvation under threat of anathema. He contrasts Apostolic Conf
J. Henry Brown The Over-Ruling of God by J. Henry Brown In this sermon transcript, the speaker shares a personal experience of encountering a group of people in white gowns in a foreign land. Despite the initial language barrier, the sp
G.W. North Praying Women by G.W. North In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of conversation and warns against becoming consumed by screens and losing the ability to converse. He uses the example of Pau

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