Acts 14:21-23

Expanded Bible

The Return to Antioch in Syria

²¹ ·Paul and Barnabas [^LThey] ·told the Good News [preached the Gospel] in Derbe, and many became ·followers [disciples]. ·Paul and Barnabas [^LThey] returned to Lystra [14:6], Iconium, and Antioch, ²² ·making the followers of Jesus stronger [^Lstrengthening the souls/lives of the disciples] and ·helping them stay [^Lencouraging/exhorting them to remain/persevere] in the faith. They said, “We must ·suffer many things [endure/pass through many trials/persecutions] to enter God’s kingdom.” ²³ They ·chose [appointed; or elected] elders [1 Tim. 5:17–20; Titus 1:5–9] for each church, ·by [after; ^Lwith] praying and fasting [^Cgiving up eating for spiritual purposes]. These elders had ·trusted [believed in] the Lord, so Paul and Barnabas ·put them in [committed them to] the Lord’s care.