strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that "entering the kingdom of God" isn't a passive arrival but an active journey "through many tribulations." This emphasizes that hardship isn't an exception to the Christian life, but a very real part of the pathway God intends for His followers to walk, both for spiritual growth and to conform us to Christ's own suffering.
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After facing intense opposition and persecution, including Paul being stoned and dragged out for dead, he and Barnabas now return to the very cities where this turmoil occurred. Their mission isn't to avoid conflict, but to actively strengthen the new believers, preparing them for the hardships that inevitably come with following Jesus. They teach that hardship isn't a sign of failure, but a necessary path to God's kingdom.
When new believers face challenges, what's the goal of spiritual leaders? It's not just about teaching facts, but building inner resilience.
Paul and Barnabas weren't just giving a lecture; they were 'strengthening the souls' of the disciples. Think of it like reinforcing the foundation of a building. This wasn't about confirming them into a church ritual, but about fortifying their inner selves – their minds, hearts, and spirits – against the storms ahead.
Building Inner Fortitude
We often think of faith as a path to ease. But what if hardship is actually a necessary part of the journey to God's kingdom?
Paul and Barnabas didn't sugarcoat the Christian life. They declared a vital truth: 'through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.' This wasn't a suggestion, but a statement of reality.
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Why Tribulation is Essential
Understand the original words
pistis · Greek Noun
The body of truth revealed by God, specifically the message of the gospel; the object of faith to which Christians must hold fast.
thlipsis · Greek Noun
Affliction, distress, or persecution suffered by believers, often as a result of their commitment to Christ; it is viewed in Scripture as an expected part of the Christian walk in a fallen world.
basileia · Greek Noun
The sovereign rule and reign of God, manifested in the life of the believer and fully realized in the future age; it is the ultimate goal and inheritance of those who belong to Christ.
Paul and Barnabas, having just endured severe persecution, including Paul's stoning in Lystra, returned to encourage the fledgling churches. This verse highlights their pastoral care in strengthening new believers, reminding them that hardship is an expected part of following Christ, not a sign of God's absence.
c. AD 47
First Missionary Journey Begins
Paul and Barnabas set out from Antioch, the center of Gentile Christianity, embarking on their first major evangelistic mission to Asia Minor.
c. AD 47-48
Preaching in Antioch of Pisidia
After being expelled from Iconium, Paul and Barnabas preach in Antioch of Pisidia, facing strong opposition from Jewish leaders and gaining many Gentile followers.
c. AD 48— this verse
Stoning and Escape from Lystra
In Lystra, Paul is stoned and dragged out of the city, left for dead. He miraculously recovers, and they then travel to Derbe.
c. AD 48
Return Journey Through Asia Minor
Paul and Barnabas retrace their steps, visiting Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia again to strengthen the new believers.
c. AD 49
Council of Jerusalem
A crucial council convenes in Jerusalem to address the question of Gentile inclusion in the church, establishing key principles for Jewish-Gentile relations.
Jesus himself told his disciples they would have trouble in the world, preparing them for the reality of persecution that Paul and Barnabas are now reinforcing in Acts.
Romans 8:17This passage echoes the idea that suffering with Christ is a necessary part of our inheritance, paralleling the concept that 'through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God'.
2 Timothy 3:12Paul directly states that 'all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,' reinforcing the truth that hardship is an expected path for believers.
1 Peter 4:12-13Peter encourages believers not to be surprised by fiery trials, framing suffering as a way to share in Christ's glory, which aligns with the apostles' message of strengthening disciples through tribulation.
Matthew 7:13-14Jesus contrasts the narrow, difficult road to life with the broad, easy road to destruction, illustrating why entering the Kingdom of God often involves hardship and perseverance.
ellicottActs 14:22: "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."
(22) Confirming the souls of the disciples. —Better, perhaps, strengthening, so as to avoid the more definite associations connected with the other term. In Acts 18:23 , the word is so rendered. It is not the same as that used by later writers for the ecclesiastical rite of Confirmation. Exhorting them to continue in the faith…
barnesActs 14:22: "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."
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…
The verse highlights that "entering the kingdom of God" isn't a passive arrival but an active journey "through many tribulations." This emphasizes that hardship isn't an exception to the Christian life, but a very real part of the pathway God intends for His followers to walk, both for spiritual growth and to conform us to Christ's own suffering.
After facing intense opposition and persecution, including Paul being stoned and dragged out for dead, he and Barnabas now return to the very cities where this turmoil occurred. Their mission isn't to avoid conflict, but to actively strengthen the new believers, preparing them for the hardships that inevitably come with following Jesus. They teach that hardship isn't a sign of failure, but a necessary path to God's kingdom.
After facing intense opposition and persecution, including Paul being stoned and dragged out for dead, he and Barnabas now return to the very cities where this turmoil occurred. Their mission isn't to avoid conflict, but to actively strengthen the new believers, preparing them for the hardships that inevitably come with following Jesus. They teach that hardship isn't a sign of failure, but a necessary path to God's kingdom.
"strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." — The verse highlights that "entering the kingdom of God" isn't a passive arrival but an active journey "through many tribulations." This emphasizes that hardship isn't an exception to the Christian li…
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Last reviewed October 2026