ACT 14:21-28

Strengthening the Disciples

21Having proclaimed the good news to that city and having discipled many, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, [14:22] strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations it behooves us to enter into the kingdom of God. [14:23] Having chosen elders for them in every church, and having prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. [14:24] And having passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia, [14:25] and having spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. [14:26] And from there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. [14:27] Having arrived and having gathered the church together, they were declaring all that God did with them and that he had opened to the Gentiles a door of faith. [14:28] Then they remained no little time with the disciples.

In the world it was spoken into

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, the act of 'discipling' was not merely teaching but forming a committed relationship between teacher and follower, akin to the philosophical schools of the time. The 'strengthening of souls' addressed the whole person, emphasizing resilience in the face of societal hostility and personal trials, which were common for early Christ-followers. The exhortation to 'continue in the faith' carried both encouragement and urgency, as the fledgling communities faced external persecution and internal doubts. The appointment of elders mirrored the civic practice of selecting leaders through public affirmation, ensuring communal stability and continuity. The journey through Pisidia, Pamphylia, and Perga reflects the itinerant nature of Pauline missions, where establishing local leadership was crucial for sustaining these new communities. The return to Antioch marked the completion of a mission cycle, reinforcing the interconnectedness of early Christian networks.

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How other translations render this

ACT 14:21

KJV: And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
BSB: They preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
Koinōnos: Having proclaimed the good news to that city and having discipled many, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,

ACT 14:22

KJV: 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.
BSB: 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.
Koinōnos: strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations it behooves us to enter into the kingdom of God.

ACT 14:23

KJV: And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
BSB: Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.
Koinōnos: Having chosen elders for them in every church, and having prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

ACT 14:24

KJV: And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
BSB: After passing through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
Koinōnos: And having passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia,

ACT 14:25

KJV: And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
BSB: And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
Koinōnos: and having spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

ACT 14:26

KJV: And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
BSB: From Attalia they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had just completed.
Koinōnos: And from there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.

ACT 14:27

KJV: And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
BSB: When they arrived, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Koinōnos: Having arrived and having gathered the church together, they were declaring all that God did with them and that he had opened to the Gentiles a door of faith.

ACT 14:28

KJV: And there they abode long time with the disciples.
BSB: And they spent a long time there with the disciples.
Koinōnos: Then they remained no little time with the disciples.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

ACT 14:21

having discipled:The word translated 'having discipled' implies a process of teaching and training someone to become a follower or learner, not just a one-time conversion.

ACT 14:22

souls:The word translated 'souls' here refers to the very essence of a person's life, their inner being, or their individual existence, rather than just a spiritual component.
exhorting [them]:The word translated 'exhorting' carries a sense of strong encouragement, urging, or even comforting, often with the aim of strengthening resolve.

ACT 14:23

Having chosen:The word translated 'Having chosen' originally referred to electing someone by a show of hands, indicating a communal decision or appointment.