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Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

Acts 16:6-10

They went through the Phrygian and Galatian territory, but they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia. When they had gone through Mysia they tried to go into Bithynia.; and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do so. So they passed by Mysia and came down to Troas. During the night a vision appeared to Paul. A man from Macedonia stood and urged him, "Cross over into Macedonia and help us." When he saw the vision he immediately sought to go forth into Macedonia for we reckoned that God had called us to tell the good news to them.

For a time all doors seemed shut to Paul. It must have seemed strange to him that he was barred from the Roman province of Asia by the Holy Spirit; it contained Ephesus and all the recipients of the letters to the seven churches in the book of the Revelation. Bithynia, too, was shut to him. How did the Holy Spirit send his message to Paul? It may have been by the word of a prophet; it may have been by a vision; it may have been by some inner and inescapable conviction. But there is the possibility that what kept Paul from journeying into these provinces was ill-health, the consequence of that thorn in his flesh.

What makes that quite likely is that in Acts 16:10, suddenly and without warning, there emerges a "we" passage. The story begins to be told not in the third person but in the first person. That tells us that Luke was there, an eye-witness and a companion of Paul. Why should he so suddenly emerge on the scene? Luke was a doctor. What is more likely than that he met Paul then because Paul needed his professional services, having fallen ill and so being barred from making the journeys he would like to make? If this is so, it is suggestive to reflect that Paul took even his weakness and his pain as a messenger from God.

It was the sight of a man from Macedonia which finally gave Paul his guidance. Who was this man Paul saw in the vision? Some think it was Luke himself, for Luke may have been a Macedonian. Some think the question should not be asked since dreams need no explanations like that. But there is a most attractive theory. There was one man who had succeeded in conquering the world. That was Alexander the Great. Now it would seem that the whole situation was designed to make Paul remember Alexander. The full name of Troas was Alexandrian Troas after Alexander. Just across the sea was Philippi, called after Alexander's father. Farther on was Thessalonica called after Alexander's half-sister. The district was permeated with memories of Alexander; and Alexander was the man who had said that his aim was "to marry the east to the west" and so make one world. It may well be that there came to Paul the vision of Alexander, the man who had conquered the world, and that this vision gave Paul a new impulse towards making one world for Christ.

EUROPE'S FIRST CONVERT (Acts 16:11-15)

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See also Acts 16:6-10 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    ACTS 16:6 th.n Frugi,an kai. Galatikh.n cw,ran The Textus Receptus, following E H L P and most minuscules, reads th.n Frugi,an kai. th.n Galatikh.n cw,ran. Although Kirsopp Lake, in discussing the te...

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Acts 16:6. _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...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    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 - Thi...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 16 _ 1. In Derbe and Lystra again. Timotheus (Acts 16:1)._ 2. The Preaching forbidden in Asia (Acts 16:6). 3. The Vision of the Man from Macedonia (Acts 16:9). 4. The Gospel in Europe ...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    JOURNEY THROUGH ASIA MINOR TO MACEDONIA. Here we come to the Travel-document, which is followed henceforward. It was till recently the custom to speak of the We-Passages, which are found in Acts 16:10...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    NOW, &C. The texts read, "They went through". THE REGION OF GALATIA. the Galatian country. FORBIDDEN. hindered. THE HOLY GHOST. App-101. PREACH. speak. Greek. _laleo._ App-121. WORD. Greek. _logo...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _Now when they had gone throughout_ The oldest MSS. merely say AND THEY WENT THROUGH. _Phrygia and the region of Galatia_ Scarcely the direction, so far as population was concerned, which would have b...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΔΙΗ͂ΛΘΟΝ with אABCDE. _Vulg_. ‘transeuntes.’ 6. ΔΙΗ͂ΛΘΟΝ ΔΈ, _and they passed through_. The reading διελθόντες of the _Text. recept_. is probably due to the participle which immediately follows and h...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    Acts 16:1-12. PAUL REVISITS DERBE AND LYSTRA, CHOOSES TIMOTHY FOR A COMPANION IN HIS MISSION, AND CIRCUMCISES HIM. THEY PASS THROUGH PHRYGIA AND GALATIA, AND COME INTO MYSIA AND TO TROAS. BY A VISION...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _THE CALL PAUL RECEIVED TO COME TO MACEDONIA ACTS 16:6-12:_ The Holy Spirit did not allow the missionaries to go to Asia, or to Bithynia. God had chosen to send His servants to Macedonia. The gospel w...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΔΙΉΛΘΟΝ _aor. ind. act. от_ ΔΙΈΡΧΟΜΑΙ (G333) проходить через. В этой части путешествия, вероятно, они шли по немощеным дорогам или тропам (French, BAFCS, 2:56). О Фригии, Галатии и связанных с этими р...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    TO PREACH THE WORD IN ASIA,— That is, in Asia Proper, or Proconsular Asia, as all the places mentioned in the former verses lay in Asia Minor. It is also apparent that flourishing churches were afterw...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    THROUGH THE REGION OF PHRYGIA AND GALATIA. ACTS 16:6 a. Cf. Galatians 4:13-15; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. Acts 16:6 a And th

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    WHILE IN THE ABOVE STATED REGIONS THEY WERE FORBIDDEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO SPEAK THE WORD IN ASIA. THEY PASSED THROUGH THE PRO-VINCE OF MYSIA AND ASSAYED TO GO INTO THE PROVINCE OF BITHYNIA BUT THEY...

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    6-8. The neighboring cities of Derbe and Lystra, where Paul was joined by Timothy, constituted the limit of his former tour with Barnabas into this region of country. He makes them now the starting po...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    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, NOW WHEN THEY HAD GONE THROUGHOUT PHRYGIA - proceeding in a no...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    40 Silas was almost necessary as a companion for Paul. The decrees provided that they should be delivered by both Barnabas and Paul, while Judas and Silas were to confirm them by word of mouth. Now th...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    16:6 through (c-4) forbidden (c-12) These participles have a causative force, especially thus disunited. 'Such being the case, they attempted to go.' country, (d-9) 'Phrygia and Galatia' are thrown in...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    ST. PAUL IN EUROPE 1. Timotheus] was probably of Lystra, not Derbe. His mother Eunice was perhaps a widow, and she, together with his grandmother Lois, educated the lad in the religion of Israel, tho...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    TO PRAYER] rather, 'to the place of prayer.' A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION] The girl belonged to the class of 'clairvoyants' or 'mediums,' and really believed herself to be possessed by a spirit. Her recogni...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    Journey into Europe, Philippi. 6. RV 'And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Ghost to speak the word in Asia.' At Lystra (Acts 16:6) they received a...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE ACTS _MARION ADAMS_ CHAPTER 16 TIMOTHY WORKS WITH PAUL AND SILAS, 16:1-5 V1 Paul went to Derbe and then he went to Lystra. A *Christian called Timothy lived there. Timothy...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    WHEN THEY HAD GONE THROUGHOUT PHRYGIA AND THE REGION OF GALATIA. — In the previous journey St. Paul, when he was at Antioch in Pisidia, was just on the border of the two provinces, but had not travell...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 11 APOSTOLIC QUARRELS AND THE SECOND TOUR. Acts 15:36; Acts 15:39; Acts 16:6; Acts 16:8 THE second missionary tour of St. Paul now claims o...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    διελθόντες δὲ τὴν Φ. καὶ τὴν Γ. χώραν, see critical notes, and also additional note at the end of chap. 18. If we follow R.V. text and omit the second τὴν, and regard both Φ. and Γ. as adjectives with...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    GUIDED TO NEW FIELDS Acts 16:1 Paul had a wonderful influence over young men. Timothy, Titus, and Mark bore his impress. When circumcision was insisted upon, as in the previous chapter, no one oppose...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Here begins the account of Pads second journey. At Lystra he found Timothy. His action in the circumcision of Timothy is startling in view of the recent decision of the council. Some charge him with i...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    The Macedonian Call Just west of the cities in south Galatia was the Roman province of Asia. At this time, Luke says Paul was forbidden by the Holy Spirit to enter that region to teach. This might hav...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    (4) Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were (d) forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, (4) God appoints certain and determinate times to open an...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    They were forbidden by the Holy Ghost, to go, and preach at that time in the Lesser Asia [Asia Minor], perhaps because their preaching in Macedonia was more necessary; or because St. John was to be se...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    We find here Paul again travels through Galatia and Phrygia, where he had preached the gospel about A. D. 35-38, during his stay at Tarsus, whither he was sent by the brethren at Jerusalem to save his...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    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, (7) After they were come to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithy...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    We now enter on the missionary journeys, as they are called, of the apostle Paul. The work, under the Spirit, opens to the glory of the Lord. Not merely are Gentiles met in grace and brought into the...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    − 6._When they had gone throughout. _Luke showeth here how diligent and careful Paul and his companions were in the office of teaching; for he saith that they journeyed through divers regions of the L...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    There is perhaps no example of this more remarkable than that which Paul does with regard to Timothy. He uses circumcision in all liberty to set aside Jewish prejudice. It is very doubtful whether, ac...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    NOW WHEN THEY HAD GONE THROUGHOUT PHRYGIA,.... Acts 2:10 To which may be added, that this country had its name either from the river Phryx, as Pliny w observes, or from the word Phrygios, which signi...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    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, Ver. 6. _And were forbidden, &c._] This was a heavier judgment up...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia_ Greek, διελθοντες δε την Φρυγιαν, και την Γαλατικην χωραν, _having passed through Phrygia and the Galatian country_, and spoken there what was sufficient, a...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    PHRYGIA; this was the central and largest province in Asia Minor. GALATIA; a province east of Phrygia. ASIA; this word here, and in other places in the New Testament, refers to proconsular Asia, of...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Through Asia Minor to Troas:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    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,...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    Coming to Derbe and Lystra, where he and Barnabas had been persecuted before, Paul was favorably impressed with the young man, Timothy, who had evidently been converted through Paul on his first visit...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    NOW WHEN THEY HAD GONE THROUGH PHRYGIA AND THE REGION OF GALATIA, THEY WERE FORBIDDEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO PREACH THE WORD IN ASIA. 1. They are now leaving the region where Paul preached on his firs...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    "And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia"They" Paul, Silas and Timothy. "Region of Phrygia and Galatia" "Older geogr...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    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 suf...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    PHRYGIA and GALATIA were parts of Asia Minor. They WERE FORBIDDEN OF THE HOLY GHOST by some revelation, though the manner is not known, TO PREACH THE WORD IN ASIA, for that time; though afterwards Pau...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    6-8. The neighboring cities of Derbe and Lystra, where Paul was joined by Timothy, constituted the limit of his former tour with Barnabas into this region of country. He makes them now the starting po...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Acts 16:6 Now G1161 through G1330 (G5631) Phrygia G5435 and G2532 region G5561 Galatia G1054 forbidden G2967 ...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    PAUL IS GUIDED BY THE SPIRIT TO EUROPE AND ARRIVES IN PHILIPPI (16:6-12). ‘And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia,...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    THE MISSION TO EUROPE (16:6-19:20). Paul's plans now seemed to begin to go awry. All doors seemed to be closing to him as in one way or another he was first hindered from going one way, and then anoth...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Acts 16:6-8. NOW WHEN THEY HAD GONE THROUGHOUT PHRYGIA. Phrygia denoted at this time broken portions of a territory under the jurisdiction of three or four distinct governors. It roughly represented t...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    THE REGION OF PHRYGIA AND GALATIA (την Φρυγιαν κα Γαλατικην χωραν). This is probably the correct text with one article and apparently describes one "Region" or District in The Province of Galatia wh...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Paul finds Timothy. Paul's Macedonian vision. The first convert in Europe. Demons cast out of a damsel. Paul and Silas beaten. Conversion of the Philippian jailer. CHARACTERS: Jesus, Holy S...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Acts 16:1. _Then came he to Lystra,_ as in Acts 14:6. In their former labours in that city, Lois a jewess, her daughter Eunice, and Timothy her son, had embraced the faith. Now, they found Timothy gro...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    THROUGH THE REGION OF PHRYGIA AND GALATIA. _McClintock and Strong's Cyclopedia_ says the Province of Phrygia did not yet exist, but the name referred to the area south of Galatia. IN THE PROVINCE OF A...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia._ PAUL’S FIRST VISIT TO GALATIA, A.D. 51 OR 52 The form of the Greek expression implies that Phrygia and Galatia are not to be reg...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 16:6 Paul proceeded farther west into PHRYGIA. Had he continued in that direction he would have traveled through ASIA. THE SPIRIT OF JESUS (the Holy Spirit) prevented t

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 16:6. PHRYGIA AND THE REGION OF GALATIA should probably be, _the Phrygian and Galatian region_; but whether one or two distinct districts is intended is presently under debate....

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION ACTS 16:1 _And he came also _for _then came he, _A.V._ _and T.R.; _to Lystra _for _Lystra, _A.V._; Timothy _for _Timotheus, _A.V._; of a Jewess _for _of a certain woman which was a Jewess,...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    We remember at the end of our study last week there arose a contention between Paul and Barnabas who had been close companions on the first missionary venture of the church. But because Barnabas was i...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 12:11; 1 Corinthians 16:1; 1 Peter 1:1; 2 Chronicles 6:7;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Asia. See on ch. Acts 2:9....

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    And having gone through Phrygia — And spoken there what was sufficient, as well as in the region of Galatia, being forbid by the Spirit (probably by an inward dictate) to speak as yet in the proconsul...

  • When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties, Norman L. Geisler and Thomas Howe, 1960

    Why did the Holy Spirit forbid Paul to preach in Asia when Jesus said to go into all the world? PROBLEM: Jesus commanded His followers to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19) and to be...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Observe here, How the apostle and his companions had. desire and design to propagate the gospel in several provinces, but were forbidden by. secret impulse of the Holy Spirit. Learn thence, That the f...

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Old Testament