King James Version

What Does Acts 9:31 Mean?

Acts 9:31 in the King James Version says “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of t... — study this verse from Acts chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 9:31 · KJV


Context

29

And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

30

Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

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.

32

And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

33

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use persecution's ebb and flow to strengthen His church?
  2. What characterizes spiritually healthy churches beyond mere numerical growth?
  3. How should 'fear of the Lord' and 'comfort of the Holy Ghost' balance in Christian experience?
  4. What role does edification play in preparing churches for future challenges?
  5. In what ways does internal spiritual health precede external numerical growth?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
Αἱ1 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μὲν2 of 28

Then

G3303

properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)

οὖν3 of 28
G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ἐκκλησίαι4 of 28

the churches

G1577

a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth

καθ'5 of 28

throughout

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

ὅλης6 of 28

all

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

τῆς7 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαίας8 of 28

Judaea

G2449

the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine

καὶ9 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Γαλιλαίας10 of 28

Galilee

G1056

galilaea (i.e., the heathen circle), a region of palestine

καὶ11 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Σαμαρείας12 of 28

Samaria

G4540

samaria (i.e., shomeron), a city and region of palestine

εἶχον13 of 28

had

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

εἰρήνην14 of 28

rest

G1515

peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity

οἰκοδομουμέναι15 of 28

and were edified

G3618

to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm

καὶ16 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πορευομέναι17 of 28

walking in

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

τῷ18 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φόβῳ19 of 28

the fear

G5401

alarm or fright

τοῦ20 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κυρίου21 of 28

of the Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

καὶ22 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῇ23 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παρακλήσει24 of 28

in the comfort

G3874

imploration, hortation, solace

τοῦ25 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁγίου26 of 28

of the Holy

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

πνεύματος27 of 28

Ghost

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

ἐπληθύνοντο28 of 28

were multiplied

G4129

to increase (transitively or intransitively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 9:31 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 9:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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