Acts 18 · Verse 23

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 18:23, King James Version

Acts 18:23 in other translations

BSBAfter Paul had spent some time in Antioch, he traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
WEBHaving spent some time there, he departed and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.
ASVAnd having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.
YLTAnd having made some stay he went forth, going through in order the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
DARBYAnd having stayed there some time, he went forth, passing in order through the country of Galatia and Phrygia, establishing all the disciples.
BBEAnd having been there for some time, he went through the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, making the disciples strong in the faith.
WebsterAnd 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.

What does Acts 18:23 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
23. And after he had spent some time there--but probably not long. he departed--little thinking, probably, he was never more to return to Antioch. went over all ... Galatia and Phrygia in order--visiting the several churches in succession. See on Ac 16:6. Galatia is mentioned first here, as he would come to it first from Antioch. It was on this visitation that he ordained the weekly collection (1Co 16:1, 2), which has been since adopted generally, and converted into a public usage throughout Christendom. Timotheus and Erastus, Gaius and Aristarchus, appear to have accompanied him on this journey (Ac 19:22, 29; 2Co 1:1), and from Second Corinthians we may presume, Titus also. The details of this visit, as of the former (Ac 16:6), are not given.

Ac 18:24-28. Episode Concerning Apollos at Ephesus and in Achaia.

This is one of the most interesting and suggestive incidental narratives in this precious history.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 23. The country of Galatia and Phrygia. He had been over these regions before, preaching the gospel, Acts 16:6

Strengthening. Establishing then by exhortation and counsel. 1Cor 1:12.

(d) "Galatia" Gal 1:2 (e) "strengthening" Acts 14:22, 15:32,41

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 23 Went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia - Both were provinces of Asia Minor: see on Act 2:10 (note). In order - Καθεξης, A word peculiar to St. Luke; see his Gospel, Luk 1:3; Luk 8:1; and his history of the Acts, Act 3:24; Act 11:4, and the place above; the only places where this word occurs in the New Testament. It properly signifies, in order, distinctly, particularly; from κατα, according to, and ἑξη, order, as opposed to confusion, indistinctness, etc. If St. Paul went up to Jerusalem at this time, which we are left to infer, for Luke has not expressed it, (Act 18:22), it was his fourth journey thither; and this is generally supposed to have been the twenty-first year after his conversion. His first journey is mentioned Act 9:26; his second, Act 11:30; his third, Act 15:4; and his fourth, Act 18:22, the place above.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 18:18-23

While Paul found he laboured not in vain, he continued labouring. Our times are in God's hand; we purpose, but he disposes; therefore we must make all promises with submission to the will of God; not only if providence permits, but if God does not otherwise direct our motions. A very good refreshment it is to a faithful minister, to have for awhile the society of his brethren. Disciples are compassed about with…

Read the full comment on Acts 18:18-23 →

Acts 18:23 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.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ποιήσαςpoiēsashaving stayedG4160
χρόνονchronontimeG5550
τινὰtinasomeG5100
ἐξῆλθενexēlthenhe went forthG1831
διερχόμενοςdierchomenospassing throughG1330
καθεξῆςkathexēssuccessivelyG2517
τὴνtēntheG3588
ΓαλατικὴνGalatikēnGalatianG1054
χώρανchōranregionG5561
καὶkaiandG2532
Φρυγίαν,PhrugianPhrygia,G5435
ἐπιστηρίζωνepistērizōnstrengtheningG1991
πάνταςpantasallG3956
τοὺςtoustheG3588
μαθητάς.¶mathētasdisciples.G3101

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

Cross references for Acts 18:23

  • Acts 14:22

    Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

  • 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 15:41

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

  • Acts 15:32

    And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

  • Galatians 4:14

    And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:1

    Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:14

    Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

  • Hebrews 12:12-13

    Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:2

    And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

  • Luke 22:43

    And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

  • Luke 22:32

    But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

  • Galatians 1:2

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

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the country.
16:6; 1Co 16:1; Ga 1:2; 4:14
strengthening.
14:22; 15:32,41; 16:40; De 3:28; Ezr 1:6; Isa 35:3,4; Da 11:1
Lu 22:32,43; 1Th 3:2; 4:18; 5:14; Heb 12:12,13

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

Context

  • Acts 18:22

    And when he had landed at Cesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

  • 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 18:24

    And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

Read all of Acts 18

Acts 18:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y habiendo estado allí algún tiempo, partió, andando por orden la provincia de Galacia, y la Phrygia, confirmando á todos los discípulos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et ayant séjourné là quelque temps, il s’en alla, et traversa successivement le pays de Galatie et la Phrygie, fortifiant tous les disciples.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und als er einige Zeit daselbst zugebracht hatte, reiste er ab und durchzog der Reihe nach die galatische Landschaft und Phrygien und befestigte alle Jünger.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et facto ibi aliquanto tempore profectus est, perambulans ex ordine Galaticam regionem, et Phrygiam, confirmans omnes discipulos.