Acts 16:5
And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Original Language Analysis
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
And so
G3303
μὲν
And so
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
οὖν
G3767
ἐκκλησίαι
the churches
G1577
ἐκκλησίαι
the churches
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
4 of 13
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
ἐστερεοῦντο
established
G4732
ἐστερεοῦντο
established
Strong's:
G4732
Word #:
5 of 13
to solidify, i.e., confirm (literally or figuratively)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πίστει
in the faith
G4102
πίστει
in the faith
Strong's:
G4102
Word #:
7 of 13
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπερίσσευον
increased
G4052
ἐπερίσσευον
increased
Strong's:
G4052
Word #:
9 of 13
to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 9:31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea 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.Acts 2:47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.Acts 6:7And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.1 Peter 5:10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.Acts 15:41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.Acts 12:24But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Historical Context
Following the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), Paul and Silas revisited churches in Galatia, delivering the apostolic decree that freed Gentiles from ceremonial law while upholding moral standards. This doctrinal clarity produced both internal strength and external growth, demonstrating that theological precision and evangelistic fruitfulness are allies, not enemies.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your church balance doctrinal depth with numerical growth—are they seen as competing or complementary?
- What does it mean for a church to be 'established in the faith,' and how can believers contribute to this stability?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And so were the churches established in the faith (αἱ μὲν οὖν ἐκκλησίαι ἐστερεοῦντο τῇ πίστει)—The verb established (ἐστερεοῦντο, estereounto) means 'strengthened,' 'made firm,' or 'solidified,' from the root meaning 'solid' or 'hard.' Church health requires more than numerical growth—it demands doctrinal stability. In the faith (τῇ πίστει) refers to the body of apostolic teaching, not mere personal belief. This stability came through the Jerusalem Council's decree (Acts 15, delivered in vv. 4), which clarified gospel truth against legalistic distortion.
Increased in number daily (ἐπερίσσευον τῷ ἀριθμῷ καθ' ἡμέραν)—Growth follows establishment in truth. The imperfect tense (ἐπερίσσευον) indicates continuous, ongoing increase. Luke consistently notes numerical growth as evidence of God's blessing and the Spirit's power (Acts 2:47, 6:7, 9:31, 12:24). Healthy churches multiply—established believers reproduce spiritually.