Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 16:6-15

In these verses we have, I. Paul's travels up and down to do good. 1. He and Silas his colleague went throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, where, it should seem, the gospel was already planted, but whether by Paul's hand or no is not mentioned; it is likely it was, for in his epistle to the Galatians he speaks of his preaching the gospel to them at the first, and how very acceptable he was among them, Gal. 4:13-15. And it appears by that epistle that the judaizing teachers had then... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 16:6-10

16:6-10 They went through the Phrygian and Galatian territory, but they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia. When they had gone through Mysia they tried to go into Bithynia.; and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do so. So they passed by Mysia and came down to Troas. During the night a vision appeared to Paul. A man from Macedonia stood and urged him, "Cross over into Macedonia and help us." When he saw the vision he immediately sought to go forth into... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 16:6

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia ,.... See Gill on Acts 2:10 To which may be added, that this country had its name either from the river Phryx, as Pliny F23 Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 29. observes, or from the word Phrygios, which signifies "dry"; this being a very dry and sandy country: it was famous for marble stone; hence we read F24 Pausanias, l. 1. sive Attica, p. 32. of Phrygian Stone or marble, of which pillars and statues were made: according to Josephus F25 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:6

Were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia - The Asia mentioned here could not be Asia Minor in general, for Galatia, Phrygia, Pisidia, Lycaonia, and Pamphylia, were provinces of it, and in these the apostles preached; but it was what was called Proconsular Asia, which included only Ionia, Aeolia, and Lydia. The apostles were not suffered to visit these places at this time; but they afterwards went thither, and preached the Gospel with success; for it was in this Proconsular... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 16:6

Verse 6− 6.When they had gone throughout. Luke showeth here how diligent and careful Paul and his companions were in the office of teaching; for he saith that they journeyed through divers regions of the Lesser Asia that they might preach the gospel. But he reciteth one thing which is worth remembering, that they were forbidden by the Spirit of God to speak of Christ in some places, which serveth not a little to set forth the apostleship of Paul; as undoubtedly he was not a little encouraged... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:1-8

Paul and Timothy. In the intercourse of the great apostle with Timothy, and the history of the latter, we have an interesting episode. I. THE YOUNG DISCIPLE . His case shows: 1. The blessing of a pious mother. The mother's love gives force to all her lessons, sanctity to the curliest of life's recollections. "Knowing of whom thou hast learned them." 2. The blessing of Christian society. He enjoyed the testimony of the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. Not only the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6

And they went for now when they had gone, A.V. and T.R.; through the region of Phrygia and Galatia for throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, A.V. and T.R.; having been for and were, A.V.; speak for preach, A.V. The region of Phrygia and Galatia . But Phrygia is always a noun substantive, and cannot be here taken as an adjective belonging to χώρα : and we have in Acts 18:23 exactly the same collation as that of the A.V. here, only in an inverted order: τὴν... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6-10

The call of God and the appeal of man: a missionary sermon. Christian life, when it has any strength and vigor, is an expansive thing. It pushes out in all directions. It asks what it can do to extend the kingdom of God, what is the sphere in which it can best exercise its missionary zeal. It must be guided by two things— I. THE CALL OF GOD . Paul and Silas went whithersoever they were directed. They forebore to go to some places because the way was closed by the Divine hand ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6-10

A true epoch in the history of the gospel: advance from Asia to Europe. I. SUPERNATURAL GUIDANCE LED THE WAY . 1. The messengers naturally inclined to continue their work within narrower limits. Much against advancing West. Unknown region. Great demands in the more educated heathenism of Europe. Possibly the Jewish element was powerful in Asia, and therefore some religious basis to work upon. But all such considerations put aside when the mind of the Spirit manifested. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 16:6-10

The leadings of the Holy Ghost. Apart from any doctrine of the personality and work of the Holy Spirit, there is a practical realization of his presence, and gracious working in us and by us, which is a source of continuous strength and comfort to the believer. It is this which we find illustrated in the passage now before us. The apostolic conception of the Holy Ghost has not been adequately studied apart from doctrinal theories. It is forgotten that the apostles were Jews, and that help... read more

Group of Brands