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

Acts 16:40 records Paul and Silas's actions immediately after their miraculous release from prison in Philippi. Following their legal and public vindication, they first visited Lydia's home, which served as the hub for the nascent Christian community. There, they gathered with the new believers ("the brethren") to offer profound encouragement and spiritual strengthening before they departed from the city to continue their missionary journey. This verse highlights the apostles' steadfastness, pastoral heart, and unwavering commitment to the spread of the Gospel, prioritizing the care of the newly formed church even amidst their own ordeal.

Acts 16 40 Context

Acts chapter 16 details a pivotal moment in Paul’s second missionary journey: the establishment of the first Christian community in Europe, specifically in Philippi, a Roman colony. Paul and Silas, joined by Timothy and Luke, begin their work with Lydia, a successful businesswoman, becoming their first convert and offering her home as a base. Their evangelism, however, quickly led to conflict when Paul cast out a spirit of divination from a slave girl, prompting her owners to accuse the apostles of disturbing the peace and advocating unlawful customs. This resulted in Paul and Silas being publicly flogged without trial and unjustly imprisoned in the inner dungeon.

In prison, Paul and Silas were singing hymns and praying, which led to a miraculous earthquake, freeing them and opening all prison doors. This divine intervention, coupled with their integrity, led to the jailer and his household’s conversion and baptism. The magistrates, having discovered that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens and had been unlawfully beaten and imprisoned, were now anxious to release them discreetly. However, Paul, asserting his rights, insisted on a public escort to establish the apostles' innocence and safeguard the future of the nascent Philippian church from further baseless accusations. The magistrates complied, publicly requesting their departure. It is against this backdrop of persecution, miraculous deliverance, and public vindication that Acts 16:40 occurs, showing Paul and Silas's immediate concern for the welfare of the new believers before moving on.

Acts 16 40 Word analysis

• And: Greek "Kai" (καί). A simple conjunction, connecting the immediate action to the preceding events of their release. It shows continuity of their mission even amidst or after their trial.
• they went out: Greek "exelthontes" (ἐξελθόντες), from exerchomai (ἐξέρχομαι), meaning "to come or go out." This signifies a public and authorized departure, not an escape. Their departure was a direct result of the magistrates' official request, reinforcing their vindication and ensuring the church's peace.
• of the prison: Greek "phylakēs" (φυλακῆς), meaning a place of custody, prison, or watch. The setting of their recent suffering and miraculous intervention. Their exit from prison marked a dramatic shift from confinement to freedom, a testimony to God's power.
• and entered: Greek "eiselthon" (εἰσελθὼν), from eiserchomai (εἰσέρχομαι), meaning "to come or go into." This indicates a deliberate and intentional action, seeking out a specific destination.
• into the house: Greek "oikian" (οἰκίαν), referring to a dwelling, family, or household. More than just a building, it implies a community and a place of hospitality.
• of Lydia: Greek "Lydias" (Λυδίας). A successful businesswoman, the first recorded European convert, whose household was also converted (Acts 16:15). Her home served as the foundational gathering place for the Philippian church.
• and when they had seen: Greek "idontes" (ἰδόντες), from horao (ὁράω), meaning "to see, perceive, behold." This implies not merely looking, but recognizing, connecting, and being fully present with. It was an intentional act of communion.
• the brethren: Greek "tous adelphous" (τοὺς ἀδελφούς). A common term in the early church for fellow believers, emphasizing their spiritual family bond. This includes Lydia's household, the recently converted jailer and his family, and any other new converts.
• they comforted: Greek "parekalesan" (παρεκάλεσαν), from parakaleō (παρακαλέω). This word carries a rich meaning: to call alongside, to exhort, to appeal to, to instruct, to encourage, and to comfort. It's an active process of strengthening and admonishing, not just offering sympathetic words. This "comfort" would have strengthened their faith and prepared them for the challenges of establishing a new Christian community. It echoes the role of the Holy Spirit as the Parakletos (Comforter/Helper).
• them: Referring to "the brethren," the nascent Philippian church members.
• and departed: Greek "exēlthon" (ἐξῆλθον), from exerchomai (ἐξέρχομαι). Again, a departure, this time from the city of Philippi. It signifies the continuation of their broader missionary calling, moving to a new city.

Words-group analysis:

• "went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia": This juxtaposes the confinement of injustice with the freedom and fellowship of the nascent church. It demonstrates a swift transition from enduring persecution to engaging in pastoral care, signifying a spiritual focus that transcends their own physical experiences. It also highlights the rapid establishment of Christian community infrastructure centered around homes.
• "seen the brethren, they comforted them": This phrase emphasizes the apostles' deep pastoral concern and prioritizing of spiritual edification over immediate personal relief or departure. They didn't rush out but intentionally connected with the new believers, offering vital spiritual encouragement after the dramatic events, bolstering their faith amidst the challenges of forming a new church in a hostile environment.

Acts 16 40 Bonus section

• The public nature of Paul and Silas’s release, demanding an escort, served a vital purpose beyond personal vindication: it helped to legitimize the nascent Christian community in Philippi and established a precedent that local officials could not wantonly abuse the rights of Christians. This was a tactical move protecting the church's future.
• The fact that they met the "brethren" (τοὺς ἀδελφούς) suggests the quick formation of a visible Christian group beyond Lydia's immediate household, possibly including the jailer's family and others influenced by their testimony.
• The concept of parakaleō here also hints at empowering the believers, not just consoling them. It implies giving them courage, strength, and perhaps practical advice on how to conduct themselves and nurture their community in the apostles' absence. This pastoral equipping was crucial for the sustainability of the church in Philippi, which would become one of Paul's most cherished communities.

Acts 16 40 Commentary

Acts 16:40 beautifully encapsulates several core principles of early Christian ministry and the enduring character of its leaders. Paul and Silas, though fresh from unjust suffering and miraculous deliverance, did not immediately seek respite or move on. Their first act was to reconnect with the Philippian believers, specifically at Lydia’s home—the strategic locus of the fledgling church. This demonstrates an unwavering pastoral priority: the nurturing of new converts and the strengthening of the church.

The "comfort" they provided (παρεκάλεσαν, parakalesan) was far more than mere sympathy; it was an act of robust spiritual encouragement, exhortation, and instruction. They built up these believers, reassuring them of God’s sovereignty, preparing them for the future challenges inherent in their new faith, and reminding them of the truth of the Gospel that sustained the apostles through persecution. This active strengthening was crucial for a community that had just witnessed their leaders being violently persecuted, only to be miraculously freed.

Their subsequent departure, though requested by the authorities, was not a flight but a strategic continuation of their mission. By legally and publicly departing, having first ensured the welfare of the church, Paul and Silas exemplified obedience to human authority where possible, yet always prioritizing God's people and mission. Lydia’s house as the rallying point for "the brethren" also highlights the foundational role of domestic settings and generous hospitality in the growth of the early church.