Acts 16 40

Acts 16:40 kjv

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

Acts 16:40 nkjv

So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.

Acts 16:40 niv

After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

Acts 16:40 esv

So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

Acts 16:40 nlt

When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.

Acts 16 verses

Acts 16 40 Meaning

When Paul and Silas were released from prison in Philippi, they went to Lydia's house. There, they met with the believers and encouraged them before departing.

Acts 16 40 Context

Following their miraculous release from prison in Philippi, an event which led to the conversion of the jailer and his household, Paul and Silas were freed. Instead of continuing their journey immediately, they first visited Lydia. Lydia, a devout woman from Thyatira who had been converted earlier by Paul's preaching and baptized along with her household (Acts 16:14-15), acted as a host to Paul and his companions. This act of seeking out Lydia and the believers there signifies their commitment to fellowship and mutual encouragement within the newly established church. It highlights the community aspect of early Christianity, where believers supported and strengthened one another in their faith journey, especially after experiencing persecution.

Acts 16 40 Word Analysis

• So (οὖν - oún): A conjunctive particle. It indicates a consequence or a result from the preceding events. The release from prison naturally led to their next action.
• They (αὐτοὶ - autoí): Refers specifically to Paul and Silas. Emphasizes their agency and personal decision to visit Lydia.
• Went out (ἐξελθόντες - exelthóntes): From the verb exerchomai, meaning "to go out," "to come out." It marks their departure from the prison setting.
• Of the prison (ἀπὸ τῆς φυλακῆς - apò tês phylakês): "From the prison." Denotes the place of their confinement and their physical emergence from it.
• And entered (εἰσῆλθον - eisilthon): From the verb eiserchomai, meaning "to enter in," "to go into." This action is an entrance into a specific location.
• Into (εἰς - eis): A preposition indicating motion toward and entering into.
• Lydia's (Λυδίας - Lydías): Possessive form of Lydia, the proper noun referring to the seller of purple goods, a prominent convert in Philippi.
• House (οἶκον - oikon): Means "house," "home," or "household." Refers to her residence.
• To (τοῦς - tous): The masculine accusative plural article, functioning here as an object marker.
• Brethren (ἀδελφούς - adelphous): From adelphos, meaning "brother." Used here in a spiritual sense, referring to fellow believers in Christ. It signifies their close kinship in the faith.
• And (καὶ - kaí): A coordinating conjunction, connecting "house" to "brethren" and joining the actions within Lydia's house.
• Comforted (παρεκάλεσαν - parēkálesan): From the verb parakaleō. This is a key term, meaning "to call to one's side," "to summon," "to exhort," "to comfort," "to encourage," or "to console." In this context, it implies both encouragement and instruction given to the believers. It signifies strengthening them in their faith, possibly due to the recent difficulties or the challenges of their Christian walk.
• And (καὶ - kaí): Conjunction connecting two actions: comforting the brethren and departing.
• Departed (ἀπῆλθαν - apêlthan): From the verb aperchomai, meaning "to go away," "to depart." Marks the end of their visit.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "Went out of the prison and entered into Lydia's house": This sequence emphasizes a transition from confinement and persecution to fellowship and peace within a supportive Christian home.
• "Lydia's house": This location signifies a place of hospitality and spiritual nurture, initiated by Lydia, a significant early convert.
• "The brethren": The focus shifts to the community of believers, highlighting the importance of the church as a body.
• "Comforted them": The primary purpose of their visit was to strengthen and encourage these fellow believers. The term parakaleō encapsulates this vital aspect of Christian ministry – support and exhortation.

Acts 16 40 Bonus Section

The act of visiting Lydia's house shows that their ministry was not solely public preaching, but also deeply personal and relational. Lydia, a successful businesswoman and convert, offered her home, symbolizing the integration of faith into daily life and social standing. The "comforting" here would likely have involved shared Scripture, prayer, and perhaps recounting their own experiences of God's faithfulness, reinforcing the believers' resolve. This episode is a testament to the church's foundation being built on both public proclamation and private, communal support.

Acts 16 40 Commentary

After their deliverance, Paul and Silas immediately sought out Lydia and the nascent Christian community. Their primary intent was not to retreat but to reaffirm their faith and minister to others. This visit underscores the apostles' commitment to fellowship and the vital role of encouragement in the life of the church, especially in the face of opposition. They provided spiritual uplift and strength to the believers before continuing their missionary work, demonstrating the continuity of the Gospel ministry even after personal hardship.