“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.—the summary verse shows the gospel's momentum: with Saul removed from persecution and converted to the faith, the church flourishes. The triad (Judea, Galilee, Samaria) echoes Jesus's post-resurrection commission (Acts 1:8) and suggests the gospel's geographic expansion into all Jewish regions. The 'fear of the Lord' (phobos kyriou) and the Spirit's encouragement become the twin motors of growth.
Church Fathers on Acts 9:31
the Church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace (they), being edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and abounded in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Acts 9:31 He is about to relate that Peter goes down (from Jerusalem), therefore that you may not impute this to fear, he first says this. For while there was persecution, he was in Jerusalem, but when the affairs of the Church are everywhere in security, then it is that he leaves Jerusalem. See how…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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