Acts 9:31
What does Acts 9:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 9:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 9:31 means
After Saul's departure, a season of peace settled upon the church throughout all Judaea, Galilee, and Samaria. During this time, the church was strengthened (edified), walked in reverence for the Lord, and experienced the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit. As a result, the church multiplied. This period of tranquility and growth demonstrates God's blessing on His people, illustrating how peace and spiritual health contribute to the expansion and numerical increase of believers.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So the church throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So the church throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And so the church through all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was made strong; and, living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was increased greatly.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Then, indeed, the assemblies throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, had peace, being built up, and, going on in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now, the church had peace throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria: and was edified, walking in the fear of the Lord: and was filled with the consolation of the Holy Ghost.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The assemblies then throughout the whole of Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified and walking in the fear of the Lord, and were increased through the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Context
This verse serves as an important summary statement, describing a period of peace and growth for the broader church following Saul's departure (verse 30). This general prosperity creates a backdrop against which Peter's specific apostolic ministry now unfolds. This shift in focus emphasizes the holistic expansion of the church beyond Jerusalem and leads directly into Peter's evangelistic activities in Lydda and Joppa.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 1:13
in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,—in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
- 1 Chronicles 22:18
Is not Jehovah your God with you? and hath he not given you rest on every side? for he hath delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before Jehovah, and before his people.
- Ephesians 4:12
for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:
- Proverbs 8:13
The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, And the perverse mouth, do I hate.
- Nehemiah 5:9
Also I said, The thing that ye do is not good: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?
- Proverbs 1:7
The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; Butthe foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
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