Acts 16 10

Acts 16:10 kjv

And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Acts 16:10 nkjv

Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 16:10 niv

After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 16:10 esv

And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 16:10 nlt

So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.

Acts 16 verses

Acts 16 10 Meaning

The verse signifies a pivotal moment where divine direction intervenes to change the course of mission strategy. Paul and his companions, specifically seeking to go into Asia, are divinely prevented, and instead are led by the Holy Spirit to proceed into Macedonia. This redirection highlights the Holy Spirit's active guidance in the early church's missionary endeavors.

Acts 16 10 Context

This verse occurs within Paul's second missionary journey as recorded in the book of Acts. The preceding verses describe Paul and his companions Silas and Timothy traveling through Phrygia and Galatia. During this time, they are explicitly prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the Roman province of Asia (modern-day western Turkey). Further attempts to enter Bithynia, north of Asia, were also blocked by the Spirit. The immediate context of verse 10 is a vision received by Paul during the night. This vision presents a clear plea from a Macedonian man for assistance. Consequently, Paul and his team interpret this vision, combined with the prior spiritual impediments, as a definitive call from God to cross over into Macedonia and share the Gospel there. This marks a significant geographical and strategic shift in their mission, leading to the establishment of the first Christian communities in Europe. The overall aim of the passage is to illustrate the direct and sovereign guidance of the Holy Spirit in the expansion of the early church.

Acts 16 10 Word analysis

• "when": Temporal conjunction indicating the immediate succession of events.
• "Paul": The apostle, central figure of the narrative, known for his missionary zeal to the Gentiles.
• "had seen": Past perfect tense, signifying an action completed before another past action (the attempt to go to Macedonia). Refers to the vision in the preceding verse (v. 9).
• "the vision": Refers specifically to the supernatural manifestation described in verse 9, a divinely granted picture or revelation.
• "appeared": Past tense of "appear"; the vision manifested or became visible.
• "to him": To Paul.
• "a": Indefinite article, signifying one such instance.
• "man": Refers to a male person.
• "of Macedonia": Denotes origin or nationality; a man from the region of Macedonia.
• "standing": Present participle, describing the posture and immediate action of the man in the vision.
• "there": Indicates the location within the vision's setting.
• "and": Conjunction connecting two clauses or phrases.
• "imploring": Present participle of deomai (δέομαι). This Greek word implies earnest pleading, begging, or beseeching. It suggests a desperate and urgent request.
• "him": Paul.
• "and": Conjunction.
• "saying": Present participle of legō (λέγω). Means "saying" or "speaking," indicating the content of the man's plea.
• "Come": Imperative mood of ercheomai (ἔρχομαι), meaning "come." A direct command or invitation.
• "over": Preposition indicating movement across a boundary or space.
• "into": Preposition indicating entrance into a place.
• "Macedonia": The Roman province in northern Greece, now the geographical focus of the mission.
• "and": Conjunction.
• "help": Imperative mood of boētheō (βοηθέω). Means "to help," "to succor," or "to come to the aid of." It carries a sense of rescuing or assisting those in distress.
• "us": Plural pronoun, referring to the people in Macedonia who need help.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "when Paul had seen the vision": This phrase encapsulates the supernatural reception of guidance by Paul, a method God often used to direct His servants (e.g., Acts 18:9; 2 Cor. 12:1). It confirms Paul's active perception of divine prompting.
• "a man of Macedonia was standing there, and imploring him": This portrays the vision as a vivid and specific scene. The "imploring" nature of the man emphasizes the felt need in Macedonia and the urgency of the Gospel's arrival. The specificity suggests it was not a vague feeling but a clear divine appointment.
• "saying, 'Come over into Macedonia and help us.'": This is the core message of the vision. The imperative "Come over" signifies a divine invitation to evangelize a new region. The plea "help us" frames the mission as addressing a genuine need for spiritual salvation, offering spiritual aid rather than mere physical assistance. The collective "us" indicates Paul was called to minister to the people of Macedonia.

Acts 16 10 Bonus section

This intervention by the Holy Spirit highlights a pattern of divine sovereignty in the missionary work of Paul. Although Paul had plans and sought opportunities (as seen in his prior attempts), God's Spirit overruled these plans to fulfill a greater, divinely orchestrated agenda. The strategic shift to Macedonia was instrumental, leading to the conversion of Lydia, the jailer at Philippi, and the establishment of foundational churches in cities like Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. This move into Europe proved to be immensely fruitful, spreading the Gospel across the Roman Empire. The verse underscores that true mission is always Spirit-driven, not merely humanly initiated. It reflects a dependence on divine initiative and discernment, illustrating that God's timing and direction are paramount. The specific geographical location of Macedonia also marked a significant transition from Eastern to Western thought and culture, impacting the apologetic and theological development of Christianity.

Acts 16 10 Commentary

The Holy Spirit actively redirects the apostolic mission in this verse. Having been barred from ministering in Asia and Bithynia, Paul receives a compelling vision. This vision is not ambiguous; it presents a specific person from a specific place pleading for assistance. Paul and his team accurately discern this as a direct divine summons to enter Europe. The urgency conveyed by "imploring" and "help us" underscores the spiritual desperation of the Macedonian people. This moment is transformative, initiating the spread of the Gospel into the European continent, which profoundly shaped the trajectory of Christian history. The proactive guidance of the Holy Spirit ensures the Gospel reaches those designated by God, often through circumstances that necessitate a change of plans. This principle of Spirit-led navigation remains fundamental for Christian mission.

Practical Usage Examples:

• When facing clear divine redirection away from a planned ministry or direction, be open to alternative paths presented by the Spirit.
• Recognize that God may providentially create "open doors" through visions, circumstances, or clear inward promptings.
• The "cry for help" from receptive souls or regions is often a signal from God to advance the Gospel.
• Trust that the Holy Spirit guides not arbitrarily, but with divine purpose and knowledge of where the Word is needed.