Acts 16:5
New International Version
So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

New Living Translation
So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day.

English Standard Version
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

Berean Standard Bible
So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Berean Literal Bible
So indeed the churches were strengthened in the faith and were increasing in number every day.

King James Bible
And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

New King James Version
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

New American Standard Bible
So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.

NASB 1995
So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.

NASB 1977
So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were abounding in number daily.

Amplified Bible
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they continually increased in number day after day.

Berean Annotated Bible
So the churches {ekklēsiai} were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Christian Standard Bible
So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily.

American Standard Version
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Contemporary English Version
The churches became stronger in their faith, and each day more people put their faith in the Lord.

English Revised Version
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew in numbers every day.

Good News Translation
So the churches were made stronger in the faith and grew in numbers every day.

International Standard Version
So the churches continued to be strengthened in the faith and to increase in numbers every day.

NET Bible
So the churches were being strengthened in the faith and were increasing in number every day.

New Heart English Bible
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Webster's Bible Translation
And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Weymouth New Testament
So the Churches went on gaining a stronger faith and growing in numbers from day to day.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

World English Bible
So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
then, indeed, were the assemblies established in the faith, and were abounding in number every day;

Berean Literal Bible
So indeed the churches were strengthened in the faith and were increasing in number every day.

Young's Literal Translation
then, indeed, were the assemblies established in the faith, and were abounding in number every day;

Smith's Literal Translation
Therefore truly the churches were rendered firm in faith, and abounded in number daily.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the churches were confirmed in faith, and increased in number daily.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And certainly, the Churches were being strengthened in faith and were increasing in number every day.

New American Bible
Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith and increased in number.

New Revised Standard Version
So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And so the churches were established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Yet the churches were established in the faith and growing in numbers everyday.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Therefore, the churches were established in the faith, and they increased in number daily.

Godbey New Testament
Then the churches were indeed strengthened in faith, and abounded in number daily.

Haweis New Testament
Then were the churches established truly in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Mace New Testament
thus were the churches established in the faith, and daily grew more numerous.

Weymouth New Testament
So the Churches went on gaining a stronger faith and growing in numbers from day to day.

Worrell New Testament
So the assemblies were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.

Worsley New Testament
And so the churches were established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Additional Translations ...



Context
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
4As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 6After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia.…

Cross References
So the churches were strengthened in the faith

Acts 14:22
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.

Colossians 2:7
rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

1 Thessalonians 3:2
We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
and grew daily in numbers.

Acts 2:47
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 6:7
So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem grew rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Acts 9:31
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:47
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 9:31
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 12:24
But the word of God continued to spread and multiply.

Acts 19:20
So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.

Colossians 2:7
rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Ephesians 4:15-16
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. / From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part.

1 Thessalonians 3:12
And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,

2 Thessalonians 1:3
We are obligated to thank God for you all the time, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith is growing more and more, and your love for one another is increasing.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7
I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. / So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,


Treasury of Scripture

And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

so.

Acts 15:41
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

2 Chronicles 20:20
And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

Isaiah 7:9
And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

increased.

Acts 2:47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 4:4
Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Acts 5:14
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

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Abounding Assemblies Churches Confirmed Daily Established Faith Gaining Grew Growing Increased Increasing Indeed Numbers Strengthened Strong Stronger
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Acts 16
1. Paul and Silas are Joined by Timothy,
7. and being called by the Spirit from one country to another,
14. convert Lydia,
16. and cast out a spirit of divination;
19. for which cause they are whipped and imprisoned.
25. The prison doors are opened.
31. The jailor is converted,
35. and they are delivered.












So the churches were strengthened in the faith

As Paul, Silas, and Timothy traveled through the congregations, they delivered the decisions of the Jerusalem council and provided needed instruction. The churches were established in sound doctrine, protected from false teaching, and encouraged to remain faithful to Christ.

Act 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples…
Col 2:7 rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith…
1Th 3:2 We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker…

and grew daily in numbers.

As the churches became more firmly grounded, the gospel continued to spread through their witness. New believers were added regularly, demonstrating God’s blessing on the missionary work and the growing influence of the church throughout the region.

Act 2:47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.…
Act 6:7 So the word of God continued to spread…
Act 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul and Silas
Key figures in the missionary journey, spreading the Gospel and strengthening the early church.

2. Timothy
A young disciple who joined Paul and Silas on their journey, contributing to the growth and encouragement of the churches.

3. Churches in the region
Refers to the early Christian communities in areas like Derbe, Lystra, and beyond, which were being strengthened and growing.

4. Missionary Journey
The second missionary journey of Paul, during which he revisited churches to encourage and strengthen them.

5. Holy Spirit's Guidance
The Spirit's role in directing the missionaries' path and empowering their ministry.
Teaching Points
Strengthening in Faith
The importance of nurturing and deepening one's faith through teaching, fellowship, and the Holy Spirit's guidance.

Church Growth
Growth in numbers should be accompanied by spiritual maturity and unity within the church community.

Role of Leadership
Effective church leaders, like Paul, Silas, and Timothy, are crucial for guiding and encouraging believers.

Daily Commitment
The phrase "grew daily" highlights the need for consistent, daily commitment to spiritual growth and evangelism.

Holy Spirit's Role
Recognize and rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance in ministry and personal spiritual growth.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Acts 16:5?

2. How can we strengthen our faith communities like in Acts 16:5?

3. What role does church growth play in fulfilling the Great Commission?

4. How does Acts 16:5 relate to the early church's daily spiritual practices?

5. What steps can we take to ensure our church is "increasing in number"?

6. How can we apply Acts 16:5 to modern church leadership and discipleship?

7. How did the churches grow in faith and numbers according to Acts 16:5?

8. What role does community play in strengthening faith as seen in Acts 16:5?

9. How does Acts 16:5 reflect the early church's mission strategy?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 16?


Verse 5. - So for and so, A.V.; the Churches were strengthened for were the Churches established, A.V. In number; i.e. in the number of their members (comp. Acts 2:47; Acts 5:14; Acts 6:7; Acts 11:21). For the phrase, Ἐστερεοῦντο τῇ πίστει, "They were made firm in the faith," comp. Colossians 2:5, Τὸ στερέωμα τῆς εἰς Ξριστὸν πίστεως ὑμῶν, "The steadfastness of your faith." The word is used in its physical sense in Acts 3:7, Ἐστερεώθησαν αὐτοῦ αἱ βάσεις κ.τ.λ., "His feet and anklebones received strength," became fast and firm instead of being loose and vacillating.

Acts 16:5 shows that when churches hold fast to apostolic teaching, encourage one another, and stay mission-minded, God both deepens their faith and expands their reach. Spiritual stability and numerical multiplication are complementary gifts from the Lord who builds His church.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

the
Αἱ (Hai)
Article - Nominative 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.

churches
ἐκκλησίαι (ekklēsiai)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1577: From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.

were strengthened
ἐστερεοῦντο (estereounto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4732: To strengthen, confirm, establish, settle. From stereos; to solidify, i.e. Confirm.

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.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

grew
ἐπερίσσευον (eperisseuon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4052: From perissos; to superabound, be in excess, be superfluous; also to cause to superabound or excel.

daily
ἡμέραν (hēmeran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

in numbers.
ἀριθμῷ (arithmō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 706: A number, total. From airo; a number.


Additonal Resources
Acts 16:5 Blue Letter Bible
Acts 16:5 Bible Gateway
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NT Apostles: Acts 16:5 So the assemblies were strengthened (Acts of the Apostles Ac)

Acts 16:4
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