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Paul's Third Missionary Journey
22When Paul had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church at Jerusalem. Then he went down to Antioch.23AfterPaul had spentsometime in Antioch,he traveledfrom place to placethroughouttheregionof GalatiaandPhrygia,strengtheningallthedisciples.24Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures.…

Treasury of Scripture

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.

the country.

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,

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.

Galatians 1:2
And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

strengthening.

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 15:32,41
And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmedthem…

Acts 16:40
And they went out of the prison, and entered intothe house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

AntiochCountryDepartedDisciplesEstablishingFaithForthGalatiaGalatianMakingOrderPassedPassingPaulPhrygiaPhryg'iaRegionSpendingSpentStrengtheningStrongThroughoutTimeTraveledVisitingWholeAntiochCountryDepartedDisciplesEstablishingFaithForthGalatiaGalatianMakingOrderPassedPassingPaulPhrygiaPhryg'iaRegionSpendingSpentStrengtheningStrongThroughoutTimeTraveledVisitingWhole1.Paul labors with his hands, and preaches at Corinth to the Gentiles.
9.The Lord encourages him in a vision.
12.He is accused before Gallio the deputy, but is dismissed.
18.Afterwards passing from city to city, he strengthens the disciples.
24.Apollos, being instructed by Aquila and Priscilla, preaches Christ boldly.

After Paul had spent some time in Antioch
Antioch was a significant center for early Christianity, often considered the birthplace of the term "Christian." It was here that Paul and Barnabas were first sent out on missionary journeys (Acts 13:1-3). The church in Antioch was a diverse and vibrant community, reflecting the multicultural nature of the city itself. Paul's return to Antioch after his second missionary journey indicates the importance of this church as a base for his missions. This time in Antioch likely involved teaching, fellowship, and planning for future missions.

he traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia
Galatia and Phrygia were regions in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. Galatia was known for its Celtic inhabitants, and Paul had previously established churches there during his first missionary journey (Acts 13-14). The letter to the Galatians addresses issues faced by these churches, such as the influence of Judaizers. Phrygia was a region with a mix of Greek and native Phrygian culture. Paul's travels through these areas demonstrate his commitment to nurturing and strengthening the churches he had planted, ensuring they remained steadfast in the faith.

strengthening all the disciples
Paul's mission was not only to evangelize but also to disciple and strengthen believers. This involved teaching sound doctrine, encouraging perseverance, and addressing false teachings. The strengthening of disciples is a recurring theme in Paul's ministry (Acts 14:22, 15:41). It reflects the Great Commission's call to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Paul's efforts to strengthen the disciples highlight the importance of spiritual growth and maturity in the Christian life, ensuring that believers are equipped to face challenges and remain faithful.

1.Paul
The apostle who is central to the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles. In this verse, he is on his third missionary journey, focusing on strengthening the early Christian communities.

2.Antioch
A major city in early Christianity, serving as a base for Paul’s missionary journeys. It was a hub for the early church and a place where believers were first called Christians.

3.Galatia
A region in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) where Paul had previously established churches. The Galatians were recipients of one of Paul’s epistles, which addressed issues of faith and law.

4.Phrygia
Another region in Asia Minor. Paul’s travels here indicate his commitment to revisiting and reinforcing the faith of the believers in these areas.

5.Disciples
The early followers of Jesus who were being strengthened in their faith by Paul’s teachings and encouragement.The Importance of Strengthening Believers
Paul’s journey highlights the necessity of not only evangelizing but also nurturing and strengthening the faith of existing believers. This is a model for discipleship in the church today.

Revisiting and Encouragement
Paul’s return to Galatia and Phrygia underscores the importance of revisiting and encouraging fellow believers. This can be applied in our lives by maintaining relationships and offering support to those in our faith communities.

The Role of the Church as a Base
Antioch served as a base for Paul’s missions, illustrating the role of the local church as a support system for ministry work. Churches today can serve as launching pads for missions and outreach.

Commitment to Spiritual Growth
Paul’s dedication to strengthening the disciples shows a commitment to spiritual growth. Believers are encouraged to seek continual growth in their faith through study, prayer, and fellowship.1.What is the meaning of Acts 18:23?

2.How does Paul's journey in Acts 18:23 inspire your personal spiritual growth?

3.What can we learn from Paul's strengthening of disciples in Acts 18:23?

4.How does Acts 18:23 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20?

5.In what ways can you "strengthen all the disciples" in your community?

6.How does Paul's example in Acts 18:23 encourage perseverance in ministry efforts?

7.What was the significance of Paul's journey in Acts 18:23 for early Christianity's expansion?

8.How does Acts 18:23 reflect the missionary strategy of the Apostle Paul?

9.What regions did Paul visit in Acts 18:23, and why were they important?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 18?

11.What did Paul do between his third and fourth journeys?

12.What were the key events of Paul's third missionary journey?

13.What is the timeline of Paul's life events?

14.What were Apostle Paul's missionary journeys?After Paul had spent some time in Antioch

The verse opens by anchoring Paul in Antioch, his sending church (Acts 13:1-3).

• Antioch served as a strategic hub, where believers were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:26).

• Paul’s pause “for some time” shows the importance of resting, reporting, and re-charging with the body (Acts 14:26-28).

• His example echoes Jesus’ own pattern of ministry and retreat (Mark 6:30-31), reminding us that fruitful service grows out of fellowship and accountability.

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he traveled from place to place

Luke emphasizes motion—Paul is not stationary but continually on mission.

• Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) propels him.

• Paul’s willingness to go “again” (Acts 15:36) models perseverance; earlier persecutions did not deter him (Acts 14:19-20).

• For today’s believer, the phrase underlines that gospel work includes proactive initiative, not passive waiting (Romans 10:14-15).

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throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia

Specific geography matters.

• These are the very churches planted on Paul’s first journey—Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe (Acts 13-14).

• Visiting the same congregations reveals that evangelism and discipleship are inseparable; converts need ongoing care (1 Thessalonians 2:7-12).

• The mention of Phrygia links back toActs 16:6, reminding us that God’s timing sometimes redirects travel; now the door is wide open (Revelation 3:7-8).

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strengthening all the disciples

The verse climaxes here—Paul’s aim is fortification, not mere travel.

• “Strengthening” is pictured elsewhere when churches are “encouraged and built up in the faith” (Acts 14:22; 16:5).

• Note the word “all”: every believer counts, from seasoned leaders like Timothy (Acts 16:1-3) to new converts.

• Methods likely included teaching sound doctrine (2 Timothy 1:13-14), modeling holy living (1 Corinthians 11:1), and warning against false teaching (Acts 20:28-31).

• The result Paul seeks mirrors Jesus’ prayer that believers be kept from stumbling (Luke 22:32) and firmly rooted (Colossians 2:6-7).

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summary

Acts 18:23 pictures a tireless apostle who, after spiritually refueling in Antioch, launches into deliberate, relational travel across familiar territory so every disciple is fortified in faith. The verse challenges the church to value both sending bases and missionary movement, to revisit and nurture those already reached, and to prioritize the strengthening of every believer until Christ returns.

(23)Went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order.--It is clear from the Epistle to the Galatians that on this visit he found few traces, or none at all, of the work of the Judaisers. The change came afterwards. Some falling away from their first love, some relapse into old national vices, he may have noticed already which called for earnest warning (Galatians 5:21). As he passed through the churches he had founded on his previous journey, he gave the directions for the weekly appropriation of what men could spare from their earnings (the term, a weekly "offertory," though often employed of it, does not represent the facts of the case), to which he refers in1Corinthians 16:2. What churches in Phrygia were visited we are unable to say. A possible construction ofColossians 2:1 might lead us to think of those of the valley of the Lycus, Colossae, Hierapolis, Laodicea, as having been founded by him, but the more probable interpretation of that passage is, that he included them in the list of those who had not seen his face in the flesh.

Verse 23.- Having forafter he had, A.V.;through the region forover all the country, A.V.;stablishing forstrengthening, A.V.Having spent some time there (Acts 15:33, note). How long we have no means of knowing; probably under six months; "quelques mois" (Renan, pp. 329,330 ); "four months" (Lewin, 1:370, note; camp. 1 Car. 16:6, 7;Acts 19:22). According to Renan, Lewin, 'Speaker's Commentary,' and many others, it was at this time that the meeting with St. Peter occurred to which St. Paul refers inGalatians 2:11, etc. And Renan ingeniously connects that perversion of the faith of the Galatians which led to St. Paul's Epistle being addressed to them, with the visit to Antioch of James's emissaries, Lewin also identifies the journey of St Paul to Jerusalem mentioned inGalatians 2:1 with that recorded in our ver. 22. But neither of these theories is borne out by any known facts, nor is in itself probable. There is no appearance of Barnabas or Titus being with St. Paul at this time, and it is very unlikely that any should have come from James to Antioch so immediately after St. Paul's salutation of the Church at Jerusalem and the fulfillment of his vow there. The time preceding the visit of Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, as related inActs 15, is far the most likely for the encounter of the two apostles (seeActs 14:28;Acts 15:1, and note).Went through;διερχόμενος, as inActs 8:4, 40;Acts 10:38;Acts 13:6;Acts 16:6;Acts 17:23, etc.The region of Galatia and Phrygia. InActs 16:6 the order is inverted, "the region of Phrygia and Galatia," R.V., or "Phrygia and the region of Galatia," A.V. The natural inference from this is, as Lewin says, with whom Farrar agrees, that on this occasion St. Paul went straight from Antioch to Galatia, passing through the Cilician Gates and by Mazaca, or Caesarea, as it was called by Tiberius Caesar, in Cappadocia, and not visiting the Churches of Lycaonia. He proceeded from Galatia through Phrygia to Ephesus. The distance from Antioch to Tarsus was one hundred and forty-one miles, from whence to Tavium in Galatia was two hundred and seventy-one miles, making the whole distance from Antioch to Tavium in Galatia four hundred and twelve miles, or about a three weeks' journey including rest on the sabbath days. From Galatia to Ephesus would be between six hundred and seven hundred miles. The entire journey would thus be considerably more than a thousand miles, a journey of forty days exclusive of all stoppages. Six months probably must have elapsed between his departure from Antioch and his arrival at Ephesus; Lewin says "several months" (p. 330, note).In order; in the same order, though inverted, in which he had first visited them, leaving out none.Stablishing, etc. (ἐπιστηρίζων); see above,Acts 14:22;Acts 15:32, 41.

Parallel Commentaries ...


[After]
Καὶ(Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.

[Paul] had spent
ποιήσας(poiēsas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4160:(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

some
τινὰ(tina)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100:Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

time [in Antioch],
χρόνον(chronon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5550:A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay.

he traveled
ἐξῆλθεν(exēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1831:To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

from place to place
καθεξῆς(kathexēs)
Adverb
Strong's 2517:From kata and hexes; thereafter, i.e. Consecutively; as a noun a subsequent person or time.

throughout
διερχόμενος(dierchomenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1330:To pass through, spread (as a report). From dia and erchomai; to traverse.

the
τὴν(tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

region
χώραν(chōran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5561:Feminine of a derivative of the base of chasma through the idea of empty expanse; room, i.e. A space of territory.

of Galatia
Γαλατικὴν(Galatikēn)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1054:Galatic, belonging to the province Galatia. From Galatia; Galatic or relating to Galatia.

and
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.

Phrygia,
Φρυγίαν(Phrygian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5435:Probably of foreign origin; Phrygia, a region of Asia Minor.

strengthening
στηρίζων(stērizōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1991:To prop up, uphold, support, confirm, make stronger. From epi and sterizo; to support further, i.e. Reestablish.

all
πάντας(pantas)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

the
τοὺς(tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

disciples.
μαθητάς(mathētas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101:A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.


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NT Apostles: Acts 18:23 Having spent some time there he departed (Acts of the Apostles Ac)