Acts 9:31
Then 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.
Original Language Analysis
Αἱ
G3588
Αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
Then
G3303
μὲν
Then
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 28
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 28
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
καθ'
throughout
G2596
καθ'
throughout
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
5 of 28
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ὅλης
all
G3650
ὅλης
all
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
6 of 28
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰουδαίας
Judaea
G2449
Ἰουδαίας
Judaea
Strong's:
G2449
Word #:
8 of 28
the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Γαλιλαίας
Galilee
G1056
Γαλιλαίας
Galilee
Strong's:
G1056
Word #:
10 of 28
galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Σαμαρείας
Samaria
G4540
Σαμαρείας
Samaria
Strong's:
G4540
Word #:
12 of 28
samaria (i.e., shomeron), a city and region of palestine
εἶχον
had
G2192
εἶχον
had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
13 of 28
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
εἰρήνην
rest
G1515
εἰρήνην
rest
Strong's:
G1515
Word #:
14 of 28
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
οἰκοδομουμέναι
and were edified
G3618
οἰκοδομουμέναι
and were edified
Strong's:
G3618
Word #:
15 of 28
to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πορευομέναι
walking in
G4198
πορευομέναι
walking in
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
17 of 28
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
21 of 28
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁγίου
of the Holy
G40
ἁγίου
of the Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
26 of 28
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
Cross References
Psalms 111:10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.Isaiah 33:6And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.Proverbs 23:17Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.Psalms 86:11Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.Proverbs 1:7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.Romans 5:5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.Acts 8:1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.Job 28:28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.Proverbs 8:13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.Nehemiah 5:9Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
Historical Context
This period (approximately 37-41 CE) marked significant transition. Christianity expanded from Jerusalem throughout Judea, Galilee, Samaria—fulfilling Acts 1:8's second and third stages. The plural churches indicates multiple congregations, suggesting organizational development.
The Judean procurator Pontius Pilate had departed (36 CE); Caligula's attempted temple desecration (40 CE) diverted Jewish attention from Christians. This providential respite enabled consolidation and growth. Peter's travels (Acts 9:32-11:18) to Lydda, Joppa, and Caesarea occurred during this period, including Cornelius's conversion—launching systematic Gentile inclusion. The respite prepared church for Herodian persecution under Agrippa I (Acts 12).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use persecution's ebb and flow to strengthen His church?
- What characterizes spiritually healthy churches beyond mere numerical growth?
- How should 'fear of the Lord' and 'comfort of the Holy Ghost' balance in Christian experience?
- What role does edification play in preparing churches for future challenges?
- In what ways does internal spiritual health precede external numerical growth?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then 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. This summary statement describes the church's spiritual health during persecution's respite, identifying marks of genuine Christian community—peace, growth, godly fear, and Spirit comfort.
Had rest indicates temporary persecution cessation. Several factors possibly contributed: Saul's conversion removed chief persecutor; Caligula's reign (37-41 CE) created Roman-Jewish tensions distracting from Christian persecution; church's dispersal reduced Jerusalem concentration. God sovereignly controls persecution's timing and intensity for church's benefit.
Were edified (Greek: oikodomeō) means built up structurally. Churches weren't merely growing numerically but developing spiritually—doctrine, character, unity. Walking in the fear of the Lord balances comfort with reverence. Genuine Christianity combines holy awe of God with assurance of His love. Fear here isn't terror but profound respect and awareness of God's holiness.
Comfort of the Holy Ghost provides encouragement, strengthening, and divine presence. The Spirit doesn't merely console but empowers for witness. Were multiplied shows numerical and geographic growth—gospel advancing throughout Palestine. Reformed theology recognizes church growth as Spirit's work, not human manipulation. Healthy churches combine doctrinal fidelity, godly living, and evangelistic fruitfulness.