Section 16:6–10

Paul had a vision of a man in Macedonia, calling to him to come

In this section, Paul, Silas, and Timothy traveled through Phrygia, Galatia and arrived at Troas. Paul had a vision about a Macedonian man pleading with him to come to Macedonia to help the people there. So Paul and his companions went immediately.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia (New International Version)
-or-
A Call from Macedonia (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Paul Has a Vision (God’s Word)

Paragraph 16:6–10

16:6a

they: Here the Berean Standard Bible follows the verse in Greek, which refers only to they. Since 16:6 is the beginning of a new section, the New International Version explains who they refers to. The phrase “his companions” refers to Silas and Timothy. The New International Version probably names Paul because he was the leader.

traveled through: The Greek word here is literally “went-through.” It indicates that Paul and his companions probably went from one end of the region to the other end. But they had no goal like reaching Macedonia (16:9), so they probably visited many villages and towns. But they probably were not trying to visit every village and town in this region. For example:

went through (Revised Standard Version)

the region of Phrygia and Galatia:
This phrase may refer to a region that had connections to both Phrygia and Galatia. But it may refer to the region that covers both Phrygia and Galatia. For example:

the Phrygian and Galatian region (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
the areas of Phrygia and Galatia (New Century Version)

16:6b

After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia: This clause indicates the reason that Paul, Silas, and Timothy went throughout Phrygia and Galatia. For example:

because the Holy Spirit did not let them preach the message in the province of Asia (Good News Translation)

the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

the Holy Spirit did not let them preach the Good News (New Century Version)

had prevented them: This phrase means “being prevented.” The Holy Spirit somehow prevented them from preaching in the province of Asia. It may have been by a prophecy, a vision, or other message from God.

the Holy Spirit: This phrase refers to the Spirit of God. See how you translated this phrase in 1:2 or 15:8.

speaking the word: This phrase refers to publicly telling others the message about Jesus. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

speaking the message (NET Bible)
-or-
preach the Good News (New Century Version)

the province of Asia: The Berean Standard Bible and some English versions add the phrase province of. At that time the name Asia referred to a region in what is now the western part of the country of Turkey. But in English the name now refers to the region of the world that includes the country of China. So the Berean Standard Bible and some other English versions add the phrase province of to indicate the correct meaning. See how you translated this phrase in 2:9 or 6:9.

You may also want to explain its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

At that time, the name Asia referred to a province under Roman rule that was across the Aegean Sea east of Greece, in the western part of what is now the country of Turkey.

province: Here this word refers to a large area of land that the Romans conquered or ruled that is not in Italy, their homeland. It may refer to land that used to be ruled by another country, an independent country or to a group of countries. The Roman rulers put another Roman as the ruler over that province. Consider how to translate this word here.

General Comment on 16:6a–b

16:6a indicates the reason why Paul and his companions traveled throughout Phrygia and Galatia (16:6b), visiting many villages and towns. In some languages it is necessary or more natural to have the reason second. For example:

6bPaul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia 6abecause the Holy Spirit kept them from preaching the word in the province of Asia.

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