Acts 16 · Verse 6

Acts 16:6

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
Acts 16:6, King James Version

Acts 16:6 in other translations

BSBAfter the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia.
WEBWhen they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
ASVAnd they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;
YLTand having gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia,
DARBYAnd having passed through Phrygia and the Galatian country, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia,
BBEAnd after they had gone through the land of Phrygia and Galatia, the Holy Spirit did not let them take the word into Asia;
WebsterNow when they had gone throughout Phrygia, and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia;

What does Acts 16:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 16:6-8

Ac 16:6-12. They Break New Ground in Phrygia and Galatia--Their Course in That Direction Being Mysteriously Hedged Up, They Travel Westward to Troas, Where They Are Divinely Directed to Macedonia--The Historian Himself Here Joining the Missionary Party, They Embark for Neapolis, and Reach Philippi.

6-8. Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia--proceeding in a northwesterly direction. At this time must have been formed "the churches of Galatia" (Ga 1:2; 1Co 16:1); founded, as we learn from the Epistle to the Galatians (particularly Ga 4:19), by the apostle Paul, and which were already in existence when he was on his third missionary journey, as we learn from Ac 18:23, where it appears that he was no less successful in Phrygia. Why these proceedings, so interesting as we should suppose, are not here detailed, it is not easy to say; for the various reasons suggested are not very satisfactory: for example, that the historian had not joined the party [Alford]; that he was in haste to bring the apostle to Europe [Olshausen]; that the main stream of the Church's development was from Jerusalem to Rome, and the apostle's labors in Phrygia and Galatia lay quite out of the line of that direction [Baumgarten]. and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost--speaking by some prophet, see on Ac 11:27. to preach the word in Asia--not the great Asiatic continent, nor even the rich peninsula now called Asia Minor, but only so much of its western coast as constituted the Roman province of Asia.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 6. Throughout Phrygia. This was the largest province of Asia Minor. It had Bithynia, north; Pisidia and Lycia, south; Galatia and Cappadocia, east; and Lydia and Mysia, west.

And the region of Galatia. This province was directly east of Phrygia. The region was formerly conquered by the Gauls. They settled in it, and called it, after their own name, Galatia. The Gauls invaded the country at different times, and no less than three tribes or bodies of Gauls had possession of it. Many Jews were also settled there. It was from this cause that so many parties could be formed there, and that so much controversy would arise between the Jewish and Gentile converts. See the Epistle to the Galatians.

And were forbidden. Probably by a direct revelation. The reason of this was, doubtless, that it was the intention of God to extend the gospel farther into the regions of Greece than would have been done if they had remained in Asia Minor. This prohibition was the means of the first introduction of the gospel into Europe.

In Asia. Acts 2:9. This was doubtless the region of proconsular Asia. This region was also called Ionia. Of this region Ephesus was the capital; and here were situated also the cities of Smyrna, Thyatira, Philadelphia, etc., within which the seven churches, mentioned in Revelation chapters 1-3, were established. Cicero speaks of proconsular Asia as containing the provinces of Phrygia, Mysia, Carla, and Lydia. In all this region the gospel was afterwards preached with great success. But now a more important and wider field was opened before Paul and Barnabas, in the extensive country of Macedonia.

(l) "Galatia" Gal 1:2, 1Pet 1:1 (m) "forbidden of the Holy Ghost" Amos 8:11,12, 1Cor 12:11 (+) "Ghost" "Spirit" (n) "in Asia" Rev 1:4,11

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 6 Were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia - The Asia mentioned here could not be Asia Minor in general, for Galatia, Phrygia, Pisidia, Lycaonia, and Pamphylia, were provinces of it, and in these the apostles preached; but it was what was called Proconsular Asia, which included only Ionia, Aeolia, and Lydia. The apostles were not suffered to visit these places at this time; but they afterwards went thither, and preached the Gospel with success; for it was in this Proconsular Asia that the seven Churches were situated. God chose to send his servants to another place, where he saw that the word would be affectionately received; and probably those in Proconsular Asia were not, as yet, sufficiently prepared to receive and profit by it.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 16:6-15
The removals of ministers, and the dispensing the means of grace by them, are in particular under Divine conduct and direction. We must follow Providence: and whatever we seek to do, if that suffer us not, we ought to submit and believe to be for the best. People greatly need help for their souls, it is their duty to look out for it, and to invite those among them who can help them. And God's calls must be complied with readily. A solemn assembly the worshippers of God must have, if possible, upon the sabbath day. If we have not synagogues, we must be thankful for more private places, and resort to them; not forsaking the assembling together, as our opportunities are. Among the hearers of Paul was a woman, named Lydia. She had an honest calling, which the historian notices to her praise. Yet though she had a calling to mind, she found time to improve advantages for her soul. It will not excuse us from religious duties, to say, We have a trade to mind; for have not we also a God to serve, and souls to look after? Religion does not call us from our business in the world, but directs us in it. Pride, prejudice, and sin shut out the truths of God, till his grace makes way for them into the understanding and affections; and the Lord alone can open the heart to receive and believe his word. We must believe in Jesus Christ; there is no coming to God as a Father, but by the Son as Mediator.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Acts 16:6 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

διῆλθονdiēlthonthey passed throughG1330
δὲdethenG1161
τὴνtēn<the>G3588
ΦρυγίανPhrugianPhrygiaG5435
καὶkaiandG2532
ΓαλατικὴνGalatikēnGalatianG1054
χώρανchōranregionG5561
κωλυθέντεςkōluthenteshaving been forbiddenG2967
ὑπὸhupobyG5259
τοῦtoutheG3588
ἁγίουhagiouHolyG40
πνεύματοςpneumatosSpiritG4151
λαλῆσαιlalēsaito speakG2980
τὸνtontheG3588
λόγονlogonwordG3056
ἐνeninG1722
τῇtēa<the>G3588
Ἀσίᾳ,AsiaAsia,G773

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 16:6

  • Acts 18:23

    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.

  • Acts 16:7

    After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

  • Galatians 1:2

    And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

  • Acts 11:12

    And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:

  • Acts 13:2-4

    As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

  • 2 Timothy 4:10

    For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

  • Galatians 3:1

    O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

  • 1 Peter 1:1

    Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

  • Acts 19:10

    And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

  • Hebrews 11:8

    By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

  • Amos 8:11-12

    Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.

  • Acts 10:19

    While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Phrygia.
2:10; 18:23
region.
18:23; 1Co 16:1; Ga 1:2; 3:1; 2Ti 4:10; 1Pe 1:1
forbidden.
7; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2-4; 20:28; 2Ch 6:7-9; Isa 30:21; Am 8:11,12
1Co 12:11; Heb 11:8
Asia.
19:10,26,27; 20:4,16; 2Co 1:8; 2Ti 1:15; 1Pe 1:1; Re 1:4,11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 16:5

    And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

  • Acts 16:6

    Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

  • Acts 16:7

    After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

Read all of Acts 16

Acts 16:6 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y pasando á Phrygia y la provincia de Galacia, les fué prohibido por el Espíritu Santo hablar la palabra en Asia.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et ils traversèrent la Phrygie et le pays de Galatie, ayant été empêchés par le Saint Esprit d’annoncer la parole en Asie;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Sie durchzogen aber Phrygien und die galatische Landschaft, nachdem sie von dem Heiligen Geiste verhindert worden waren, das Wort in Asien zu reden;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Transeuntes autem Phrygiam et Galatiæ regionem, vetati sunt a Spiritu Sancto loqui verbum Dei in Asia.