Verse 5.- So for and so, A.V.; the Churches were strengthened for were the Churches established, A.V. In number; i.e. in the number of their members (comp. Acts 2:47; Acts 5:14; Acts 6:7; Acts 11:21). For the phrase, Ἐστερεοῦντοτῇ πίστει, "They were made firm in the faith," comp. Colossians 2:5, Τὸ στερέωμα τῆςεἰς Ξριστὸν πίστεως ὑμῶν, "The steadfastness of your faith." The word is used in its physical sense in Acts 3:7, Ἐστερεώθησαναὐτοῦ αἱ βάσεις κ.τ.λ., "His feet and anklebones received strength," became fast and firm instead of being loose and vacillating.
16:1-5 Well may the church look for much service from youthful ministers who set out in the same spirit as Timothy. But when men will submit in nothing, and oblige in nothing, the first elements of the Christian temper seem to be wanting; and there is great reason to believe that the doctrines and precepts of the gospel will not be successfully taught. The design of the decree being to set aside the ceremonial law, and its carnal ordinances, believers were confirmed in the Christian faith, because it set up a spiritual way of serving God, as suited to the nature both of God and man. Thus the church increased in numbers daily.
And so were the churches established in the faith,.... Of Christ, both in the grace and doctrine of faith; and that both by the preaching of the Gospel by the apostle and his companions, and by the decrees of the elders delivered by him:
and increased in number daily; as well as in gifts and grace.
and increased in number daily; as well as in gifts and grace.