Acts 14:22
New International Version
strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

New Living Translation
where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.

English Standard Version
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Berean Standard Bible
strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Berean Literal Bible
strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith and that "through many tribulations it behooves us to enter into the kingdom of God."

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

New American Standard Bible
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying,It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God.”

NASB 1995
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

NASB 1977
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Legacy Standard Bible
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many afflictions we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Amplified Bible
strengthening and establishing the hearts of the disciples; encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulations and hardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Christian Standard Bible
strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God.”

American Standard Version
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.

Contemporary English Version
They encouraged the followers and begged them to remain faithful. They told them, "We have to suffer a lot before we can get into God's kingdom."

English Revised Version
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They strengthened the disciples in these cities and encouraged the disciples to remain faithful. Paul and Barnabas told them, "We must suffer a lot to enter the kingdom of God."

Good News Translation
They strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain true to the faith. "We must pass through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God," they taught.

International Standard Version
strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. "We must endure many hardships," they said, "to get into the kingdom of God."

Majority Standard Bible
strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. ?We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,? they said.

NET Bible
They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, "We must enter the kingdom of God through many persecutions."

New Heart English Bible
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of God.

Webster's Bible Translation
Confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Weymouth New Testament
Everywhere they strengthened the disciples by encouraging them to hold fast to the faith, and warned them saying, "It is through many afflictions that we must make our way into the Kingdom of God."

World English Bible
strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting to remain in the faith, and that it is required of us to enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations,

Berean Literal Bible
strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith and that "through many tribulations it behooves us to enter into the kingdom of God."

Young's Literal Translation
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting to remain in the faith, and that through many tribulations it behoveth us to enter into the reign of God,

Smith's Literal Translation
And supporting the souls of the disciples, beseeching to remain in the faith, that through many pressures we must come into the kingdom of God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith: and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
strengthening the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them that they should remain always in the faith, and that it is necessary for us to enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations.

New American Bible
They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”

New Revised Standard Version
There they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Strengthening the souls of the converts, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and telling them that only through much tribulation can we enter into the kingdom of God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
While they were confirming the souls of the disciples and seeking that they would continue in the faith; and they were saying to them that it is necessary to enter The Kingdom of God by much suffering.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, that through many afflictions we mast enter the kingdom of God.

Godbey New Testament
strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to abide in the faith, and it behooves them through many tribulations to enter into the kingdom of God.

Haweis New Testament
strengthening the souls of the brethren, exhorting them to abide firm in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must pass into the kingdom of heaven.

Mace New Testament
encouraging the disciples, exhorting them to persevere in the faith, representing that it is thro' much tribulation that we must enter into the kingdom of God.

Weymouth New Testament
Everywhere they strengthened the disciples by encouraging them to hold fast to the faith, and warned them saying, "It is through many afflictions that we must make our way into the Kingdom of God."

Worrell New Testament
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to abide in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdom of God.

Worsley New Testament
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and telling them that through many afflictions we must enter into the kingdom of God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Return to Syrian Antioch
21They preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.…

Cross References
2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”

Matthew 5:10-12
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. / Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Romans 8:17
And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. / But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, / because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. / Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.

Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,

Revelation 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. / Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Thessalonians 3:3-4
so that none of you would be shaken by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this. / Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.

1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.

Romans 5:3-5
Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; / perseverance, character; and character, hope. / And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

2 Corinthians 1:5-7
For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. / If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience. / And our hope for you is sure, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you will share in our comfort.

Matthew 10:22
You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

Confirming.

Acts 15:32,41
And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them

Acts 18:23
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.

Isaiah 35:3
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

exhorting.

Acts 11:23
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

Acts 13:43
Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

John 8:31,32
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; …

we.

Matthew 10:21,22,38
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death…

Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Luke 22:28,29
Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations…

enter.

Matthew 19:24
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Mark 9:47
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

Mark 10:24,25
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! …

Jump to Previous
Abide Afflictions Confirming Continue Disciples Encouraging Enter Establishing Everywhere Exhorting Faith Fast Hardships Hold Kingdom Making Reign Sorts Souls Strengthened Strong Tribulation Tribulations Troubles True. Warned Way
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Abide Afflictions Confirming Continue Disciples Encouraging Enter Establishing Everywhere Exhorting Faith Fast Hardships Hold Kingdom Making Reign Sorts Souls Strengthened Strong Tribulation Tribulations Troubles True. Warned Way
Acts 14
1. Paul and Barnabas are persecuted from Iconium.
8. At Lystra Paul heals a cripple, whereupon they are reputed as gods.
19. Paul is stoned.
21. They pass through various churches, confirming the disciples in faith and patience.
26. Returning to Antioch, they report what God had done with them.














strengthening the souls
The phrase "strengthening the souls" indicates a process of fortifying the inner being of believers. The Greek word for "strengthening" is "epistērizō," which means to support further or to make more firm. This suggests an ongoing process of spiritual encouragement and reinforcement. In the early church, as in today's church, believers faced numerous challenges and persecutions. The apostles understood the necessity of building a strong spiritual foundation to withstand trials. This strengthening is not merely emotional but deeply spiritual, involving teaching, prayer, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

of the disciples
The term "disciples" refers to followers or learners of Jesus Christ. In the Greek, "mathētēs" is used, which means a student or apprentice. This highlights the relational and educational aspect of the early Christian community. Discipleship in the early church was not a passive experience but an active, committed journey of learning and growing in the faith. The apostles were dedicated to nurturing these disciples, ensuring they were grounded in the teachings of Christ and equipped to carry on the mission of the church.

encouraging them to continue in the faith
"Encouraging" comes from the Greek word "parakaleō," which means to call to one's side, to comfort, or to exhort. This implies a personal and communal effort to uplift and motivate believers. The phrase "to continue in the faith" underscores the importance of perseverance. The early church faced significant opposition, and the apostles knew that steadfastness in faith was crucial. This encouragement was not just about maintaining belief but actively living out one's faith in daily life, despite challenges.

and saying, 'It is through many tribulations
The word "tribulations" is translated from the Greek "thlipsis," which refers to pressure, affliction, or distress. The apostles were realistic about the Christian journey, acknowledging that it involves hardships. This was a common theme in the New Testament, as Jesus Himself warned of persecution for His followers. The early Christians understood that suffering was not a sign of God's absence but a part of the refining process of faith.

that we must enter the kingdom of God.'
The phrase "enter the kingdom of God" speaks to the ultimate hope and goal of the Christian life. The "kingdom of God" is a central theme in Jesus' teachings, representing both a present reality and a future hope. The use of "must" indicates necessity and inevitability, suggesting that enduring tribulations is an integral part of the journey to God's kingdom. This perspective offers believers a sense of purpose and assurance, knowing that their trials are not in vain but are part of God's divine plan for their ultimate glorification and eternal life with Him.

(22) Confirming the souls of the disciples.--Better, perhaps, strengthening, so as to avoid the more definite associations connected with the other term. In Acts 18:23, the word is so rendered. It is not the same as that used by later writers for the ecclesiastical rite of Confirmation.

Exhorting them to continue in the faith.--The question meets us whether "faith" is used in its subjective sense, the "feeling of trust," or objectively, as including the main substance of what was believed and taught--"a belief or creed." That the latter meaning had become established a few years after St. Luke wrote, we see in 1Timothy 5:8; Jude Acts 14:3; Acts 14:20; and on the whole it seems probable that it is so used here.

And that we must through much tribulation.--More accurately, through many tribulations. The use of the first personal pronoun is suggestive. Is St. Luke generalising what he heard from those who had listened to St. Paul, and giving it in their very words? Was he himself one of those listeners? The two had clearly met before we find them both at Troas; and on the supposition suggested in the last question, the apparently casual use of the pronoun would be analogous to what we find afterwards. (See Note on Acts 16:10.) In St. Paul's latest Epistle to the chosen disciple of Lystra we have a touching reproduction of this teaching. He speaks of the afflictions which came on him at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, and adds the general truth that "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecutions" (2Timothy 3:12). . . .

Verse 22. - Exhorting for and exhorting, A.V.; through many tribulations we must for we must through much tribulation, A.V. St. Paul spoke from his own experience: "In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft," etc. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27; see too 2 Timothy 3:10-12). It is very touching to see the tender care of the apostles for the young converts, lest they should fall away in time of persecution (see Acts 15:36; 1 Thessalonians 3:1, 5, 8; 1 Peter 5:8-10).

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

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

souls
ψυχὰς (psychas)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5590: From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive 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
μαθητῶν (mathētōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

[and] encouraging [them]
παρακαλοῦντες (parakalountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3870: From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.

to continue
ἐμμένειν (emmenein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1696: To remain (abide) in, abide by, maintain, persevere in. From en and meno; to stay in the same place, i.e. persevere.

in the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative 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.

faith.
πίστει (pistei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

“We
ἡμᾶς (hēmas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

must
δεῖ (dei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1163: Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary.

endure
Διὰ (Dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

many
πολλῶν (pollōn)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

hardships
θλίψεων (thlipseōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 2347: Persecution, affliction, distress, tribulation. From thlibo; pressure.

to enter
εἰσελθεῖν (eiselthein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.

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.

kingdom
βασιλείαν (basileian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

of God,”
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

[they said].
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.


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Acts 14:21
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