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Acts 14:22

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 14:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
Acts 14:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
20But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city: and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe.
21And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch,
22confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
23And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
24And they passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia.
25And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia;
← Acts 14:21Acts 14:23 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, etc.] Not wicked men in their wickedness, nor self-righteous persons in an opinion of their own righteousness, as sufficient for justification, both being contrary to the nature and tendency of the ministry of the word; the Gospel being a doctrine according to godliness, and a revelation of the righteousness of Christ; but the disciples and followers of Jesus, whom they had already made in those places, these they confirmed in the doctrines of the Gospel, and fortified them against the contradictions and blasphemies of the Jews, and the reproaches, afflictions, and persecutions they met with, by which they might be staggered: they did not confirm the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Confirming - “strengthening” ἐπιστηρίζοντες epistērizontes. The expression “to confirm” as in some churches a technical signification, denoting “to admit to the full privileges of a Christian by the imposition of hands” (Johnson). It is scarcely necessary to say that the word here refers to no such rite. It has no relation to an imposition of hands, or to the thing which is usually supposed to be denoted by the rite of “confirmation.” It means simply that they established, strengthened, made firm, or encouraged by the presentation of truth and by the motives of the gospel. Whether the rite of confirmation, as practiced by some churches, be founded on the authority of the New Testament or…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“14:22-23 The apostles were diligent in following up with those who had made a Christian profession of faith. These new disciples needed to be nurtured, supported, and encouraged (15:32, 41; 16:40; 18:23; see 1 Thes 3:2; 4:18; 5:14). • Paul and Barnabas . . . appointed elders: See “Church Leaders” Theme Note.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Confirming: Act 15:32, Act 15:41, Act 18:23; Isa 35:3; Co1 1:8; Th1 3:2-4, Th1 3:13; Pe1 5:10 exhorting: Act 11:23, Act 13:43; Joh 8:31, Joh 8:32, Joh 15:4-6, Joh 15:9, Joh 15:10; Col 1:23; Jde 1:3, Jde 1:20, Jde 1:21 we: Mat 10:21, Mat 10:22, Mat 10:38, Mat 16:24; Luk 22:28, Luk 22:29, Luk 24:26; Joh 12:25, Joh 12:26, Joh 16:1, Joh 16:2, Joh 16:33; Rom 8:17; Th1 3:4; Ti2 1:8, Ti2 2:11, Ti2 2:12, Ti2 3:12; Pe1 4:12-16; Rev 2:10, Rev 7:14 enter: Mat 19:24; Mar 9:47, Mar 10:24, Mar 10:25; Joh 3:5; Pe2 1:11 Acts 14:23”
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