Acts 16:6 After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia.

◄ Acts 16:6 ►

New International Version
Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.

New Living Translation
Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time.

English Standard Version
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.

Berean Standard Bible
After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia.

Berean Literal Bible
And having passed through Phrygia and the Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia,

King James Bible
Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

New King James Version
Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.

New American Standard Bible
They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, after being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;

NASB 1995
They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;

NASB 1977
And they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;

Legacy Standard Bible
And they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;

Amplified Bible
Now they passed through the territory of Phrygia and Galatia, after being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in [the west coast province of] Asia [Minor];

Christian Standard Bible
They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia; they had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia.

American Standard Version
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;

Contemporary English Version
Paul and his friends went through Phrygia and Galatia, but the Holy Spirit would not let them preach in Asia.

English Revised Version
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Ghost to speak the word in Asia;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Paul and Silas went through the regions of Phrygia and Galatia because the Holy Spirit kept them from speaking the word in the province of Asia.

Good News Translation
They traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia because the Holy Spirit did not let them preach the message in the province of Asia.

International Standard Version
Because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia, Paul and Timothy went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia.

Majority Standard Bible
After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia.

NET Bible
They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in the province of Asia.

New Heart English Bible
When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia, and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia;

Weymouth New Testament
Then Paul and his companions passed through Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Message in the province of Asia.

World English Bible
When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and having gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia,

Berean Literal Bible
And having passed through Phrygia and the Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia,

Young's Literal Translation
and having gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia,

Smith's Literal Translation
And having passed through Phrygia and the Galatian country, hindered by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia,

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they had passed through Phrygia, and the country of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, while crossing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the Word in Asia.

New American Bible
They traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian territory because they had been prevented by the holy Spirit from preaching the message in the province of Asia.

New Revised Standard Version
They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then they traveled through the countries of Phryg’i-a and Ga-la’tia, and the Holy Spirit forbade them to speak the word of God in Asia Minor.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But they walked in the regions among Phrygia and Galatia, and The Spirit of Holiness forbade them to speak the word of God in Asia.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
When they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia,

Godbey New Testament
And they traveled through Phrygia and the Galatian country, being prohibited by the Holy Ghost from speaking the word in Asia.

Haweis New Testament
So passing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, being forbidden by the Holy Ghost to speak the word in Asia,

Mace New Testament
but after they had travers'd Phrygia and Galatia, they were order'd by the holy spirit not to preach the gospel in Asia:

Weymouth New Testament
Then Paul and his companions passed through Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Message in the province of Asia.

Worrell New Testament
And they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian country, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;

Worsley New Testament
And when they had passed through Phrygia and Galatia, being forbidden by the holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia, they came to Mysia, and endeavoured to go to Bithynia:

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Paul's Vision of the Macedonian
5So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 6 After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. 7And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Galatians 4:13
You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.

Romans 1:13
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, how often I planned to come to you (but have been prevented from visiting until now), in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

1 Thessalonians 2:18
For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us.

2 Corinthians 2:12-13
Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord, / I had no peace in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.

Acts 18:23
After Paul had spent some time in Antioch, he traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

Acts 13:2-4
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. / So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

Acts 19:21
After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”

Acts 20:22-23
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. / I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.

Acts 21:4
We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.

Acts 8:29
The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.”

Acts 10:19-20
As Peter continued to reflect on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. / So get up! Go downstairs and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them.”

Acts 11:12
The Spirit told me to accompany them without hesitation. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s home.

Acts 13:9
Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas

Acts 15:28
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements:

Acts 21:11
Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

Treasury of Scripture

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

Phrygia.

Acts 2:10
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

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.

region.

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.

1 Corinthians 16:1
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

Galatians 1:2
And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

forbidden.

Acts 16:7
After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

Acts 10:19
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

Acts 11:12
And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:

Asia.

Acts 19:10,26,27
And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks…

Acts 20:4,16
And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus…

2 Corinthians 1:8
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

Jump to Previous

Asia Companions Country Forbidden Galatia Galatian Ghost Holy Kept Message Passed Paul Phrygia Preach Preaching Proclaim Province Region Speak Spirit Throughout Traveled Word

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Asia Companions Country Forbidden Galatia Galatian Ghost Holy Kept Message Passed Paul Phrygia Preach Preaching Proclaim Province Region Speak Spirit Throughout Traveled Word

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.

Berean Study Bible

After the Holy Spirit prevented them
The phrase highlights the active role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the early church's mission. The Greek word for "prevented" (κωλύω, kōlyō) implies a strong hindrance or restraint. This divine intervention underscores the sovereignty of God in directing the spread of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, is not merely a passive presence but an active guide and counselor, ensuring that the mission aligns with God's perfect will. This moment teaches believers the importance of being sensitive to the Spirit's leading, even when it means altering well-laid plans.

from speaking the word
"The word" refers to the Gospel message, the good news of Jesus Christ. The Greek term for "word" (λόγος, logos) is rich with meaning, often denoting not just spoken words but the divine reason and plan. In this context, it emphasizes the centrality of the Gospel in the apostles' mission. The Holy Spirit's prevention here is not a denial of the Gospel's power but a strategic redirection, reminding us that God's timing and placement are crucial in the proclamation of His word.

in the province of Asia
The "province of Asia" refers to a Roman province in what is now western Turkey, not the continent of Asia as understood today. This area included cities like Ephesus and Smyrna, which would later become significant centers of Christianity. Historically, this region was a melting pot of cultures and religions, making it a strategic location for the Gospel. However, the Spirit's prevention indicates that the time was not yet right for the Gospel to take root there, teaching us that God's plans often transcend our understanding.

they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia
This phrase marks the apostles' obedience to the Spirit's guidance. Phrygia and Galatia were regions in Asia Minor, known for their diverse populations and cultural influences. The decision to travel through these areas, despite the initial plan to go to Asia, demonstrates the apostles' flexibility and trust in God's leading. Historically, Galatia was inhabited by Celtic tribes, and the Gospel's spread here would later lead to the establishment of churches to which Paul would write the Epistle to the Galatians. This journey illustrates the importance of adaptability in ministry and the fruitfulness that comes from following God's direction, even when it leads to unexpected places.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(6) When they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia.--In the previous journey St. Paul, when he was at Antioch in Pisidia, was just on the border of the two provinces, but had not travelled through them, Phrygia lying to the west, and Galatia to the north-east. The former name was used with an ethnological rather than a political significance, and did not, at this period, designate a Roman province. It does not possess any special points of interest in connection with St. Paul's work, except as including the churches of the valley of the Lycus, Colossae, Laodicea, and Thyatira, but the latter was the scene of some of his most important labours. The province, named after the Galatae, or Gauls, who had poured over Greece and Asia Minor in the third century B. 100, as they had done over Italy in the fourth, and to whom it had been assigned by Attalus I., King of Pergamus, had been conquered by the Romans under Manlius (the name appearing a second time in connection with a victory over the Gallic races) in B.C. 189; and under Augustus it had been constituted as a Roman province. The inhabitants spoke a Keltic dialect, like that which the people of the same race spoke in the fourth century after Christ, on the banks of the Moselle, and retained all the distinctive quickness of emotion and liability to sudden change which characterised the Keltic temperament. They had adopted the religion of the Phrygians, who had previously inhabited the region, and that religion consisted mainly in a wild orgiastic worship of the great Earth-goddess Cybele, in whose temples were found the Eunuch-priests, who thus consecrated themselves to her service. (See Note on Galatians 5:12.) The chief seat of this worship was at Pessinus. The incidental reference to this journey in Galatians 4:13-15, enables us to fill up St. Luke's outline. St. Paul seems to have been detained in Galatia by severe illness, probably by one of the attacks of acute pain in the nerves of the eye in which many writers have seen an explanation of the mysterious "thorn in the flesh" of 2Corinthians 12:7, which led to his giving a longer time to his missionary work there than he had at first intended. In this illness the Galatians had shown themselves singularly devoted to him. They had received him "as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus." They had not shrunk from what would seem to have been repulsive in the malady from which he suffered; they would have "plucked out their own eyes," had it been possible, and given them to replace those which were to him the cause of so much suffering. Then they thought it their highest "blessedness" to have had such a one among them. If the memory of that reception made his sorrow all the more bitter when, in after years, they fell away from their first love, it must at the time have been among the most cheering seasons of the Apostle's life.

Were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.--It is obviously implied in this that their own plans would have led them to turn their steps to the region from which they were thus turned. The pro-consular province of Asia, with its teeming cities, like Ephesus, Smyrna, and Sardis, its large Jewish population, its great centres of idolatrous worship, was naturally attractive to one who was seeking with all his energy a rapid expansion of the kingdom of his Lord. But in ways which we are not told, by inner promptings, or by visions of the night, or by the inspired utterances of those among their converts who had received the gift of prophecy, as afterwards in Acts 21:4, they were led on, step by step, towards the north-western coast, not seeing their way clearly as yet to the next stage of their labours. Their route through the "Galatian region" (the phrase, perhaps, indicates a wider range of country than the Roman province of that name) must have taken them through Pessinus, the great centre of the worship of Cybele, and Ancyra, famous for its goat's-hair manufactures, and for the great historical marble tablets which Augustus had erected there.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 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 Γαλατικὴν χώραν καὶ Φρυγίας. Even if the τὴν is properly omitted, as in the R.T., before Γαλατικὴν, the passage must equally be construed as in the A.V. The Galatians were Celts, the descendants of those Gauls who invaded Asia in the third century B.C. This passage seems to show conclusively that Derbe and Lystra and Iconium were not comprehended by St. Paul under Galatia, and were not the Churches to whom the Epistle to the Galatians was addressed; and forcibly suggest that the Galatian Churches were founded by St. Paul in the course of the visit here so briefly mentioned by St. Luke. Asia is here used in its restricted sense of that district on the western coast of Asia Minor, of which Ephesus was the capital. It is in this sense that it is used also in Acts 2:9; Acts 6:9; Acts 19:10, etc.; Revelation 1:11. St. Paul apparently wished to go to Ephesus. But the time was not yet come. It was the purpose of the Holy Ghost that the Galatian Churches should be founded first, and then the Churches of Macedonia and Achaia. The apostles were sent, did not go anywhere of their own accord (comp. Matthew 10:5, 6).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

{After] the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Holy
Ἁγίου (Hagiou)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

Spirit
Πνεύματος (Pneumatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

prevented them
κωλυθέντες (kōlythentes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2967: To prevent, debar, hinder; with infin: from doing so and so. From the base of kolazo; to estop, i.e. Prevent.

from speaking
λαλῆσαι (lalēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

word
λόγον (logon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the province of] Asia,
Ἀσίᾳ (Asia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 773: Asia, i.e. Asia Minor, or only its western shore.

they traveled through
Διῆλθον (Diēlthon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1330: To pass through, spread (as a report). From dia and erchomai; to traverse.

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.

region
χώραν (chōran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5561: Feminine of a derivative of the base of chasma through the idea of empty expanse; room, i.e. A space of territory.

of Phrygia
Φρυγίαν (Phrygian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5435: Probably of foreign origin; Phrygia, a region of Asia Minor.

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

Galatia.
Γαλατικὴν (Galatikēn)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1054: Galatic, belonging to the province Galatia. From Galatia; Galatic or relating to Galatia.

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NT Apostles: Acts 16:6 When they had gone through the region (Acts of the Apostles Ac)