Acts 18.18-23

Wasn’t Paul a well travelled man? In this passage we see no less than five places mentioned explicitly, and five more by implication. With his Roman citizenship and ability to travel the Empire freely, God knew what He was doing appointing this man as a chosen instrument of mine to carry [His] name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel (9.15).

We see Paul undertaking (v.18) and fulfilling (v.22 – went up, (Jerusalem)) a vow: most likely the Nazarite vow of Numbers 6. His main purpose for traveling, however, we read at the end of v.23:

“…strengthening all the disciples.”

(NET)

Travelling through at least ten places Paul’s main point and biggest aim is to strengthen all the disciples. Not content with visiting and basking in the (no doubt) glorious hospitality of the believers, Paul wanted to strengthen them too.

Are there areas that you know need strengthening in your life?

Paul isn’t going to come and do that for you, but the God he served, the Lord He dedicated himself to, the Spirit he was filled with is still active today.

Paul isn’t going to travel to your church and strengthen all the disciples, but the Lord still uses His people to encourage, edify, and equip His people.

Sometimes we are the encourager, sometimes the encouraged.

Look around your church family today and see who needs encouraging and then, as Paul did, speak into their situation with the Word of God (1 Corinthians 14.3-5).