23 After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
In verses 24-28, Paul encounters a preacher named Apollos. This passage and Acts 19:1-7 provide further information about the transition from the Old Testament economy to that of the New.
23 After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
After spending time at his home base in Antioch of Syria, Paul started his third missionary journey to Galatia, Phrygia, and beyond. His purpose was to “strengthen all the disciples.” If Paul had gone by sea back to Ephesus, it would have been a much easier journey. However, he chose a 1,000-mile walk through the previous location where he had established churches. This man was committed to developing individuals and churches.
PRINCIPLE:
It is not enough to evangelize; developing individual believers and churches in the Lord is imperative.
APPLICATION:
Paul spent most of his third missionary journey in Ephesus. He ministered there for three years. During that time, the apostle started many churches and wrote several of his epistles from that city. His previous journeys emphasized evangelism and founding churches, but in this journey, he strengthened churches.
