Acts 16:6

KJV

¶ Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} when they had gone throughout {G1330} Phrygia {G5435} and {G2532} the region {G5561} of Galatia {G1054}, and were forbidden {G2967} of {G5259} the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151} to preach {G2980} the word {G3056} in {G1722} Asia {G773},

Complete Jewish Bible

They traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, because they had been prevented by the Ruach HaKodesh from speaking the message in the province of Asia.

Berean Standard Bible

After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia.

American Standard Version

And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 16:6 marks a pivotal moment in Paul's second missionary journey, illustrating the direct and sovereign guidance of the Holy Spirit in the early church's evangelistic efforts. As Paul and his companions traversed the Roman provinces of Phrygia and Galatia, their intended path into the populous region of Asia was explicitly blocked by divine intervention, signaling a strategic redirection of the Gospel message towards new, unforeseen territories, ultimately leading to its expansion into Europe.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Paul's second missionary journey, which commences after the significant Jerusalem Council in [Acts 15](/acts/15 "Acts 15 - The Jerusalem Council"). Following a sharp disagreement with Barnabas, Paul chooses Silas as his new traveling companion, and they begin their journey by revisiting the churches established during the first journey, strengthening the disciples (see [Acts 15:40-41](/acts/15-40-41 "Acts 15:40-41 - Paul and Silas Begin the Second Missionary Journey")). The narrative then transitions to their westward movement through Asia Minor. Acts 16:6 specifically describes their progress through Phrygia and Galatia, setting the stage for the dramatic divine intervention that would alter their immediate missionary strategy and ultimately lead them to Macedonia. This redirection highlights the Spirit's active role in guiding the apostles' movements, rather than leaving them to human strategic planning alone.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The regions mentioned—Phrygia, Galatia, and Asia—were Roman provinces in Asia Minor. Phrygia was an ancient kingdom in the west-central part of Asia Minor, later incorporated into various Roman provinces, including Galatia. Galatia was a Roman province encompassing a large, diverse area, including parts of what was historically Phrygia. Paul had already established churches in "South Galatia" (e.g., Iconium, Lystra, Derbe) during his first journey, and this current travel would have involved revisiting some of these communities. The province of Asia, on the other hand, was one of the wealthiest and most populous Roman provinces, home to major cities like Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum. Ephesus, in particular, was a significant center for trade, culture, and pagan worship, making it a seemingly logical and strategic target for evangelism. The early church often focused its efforts on urban centers due to their influence and accessibility. The Holy Spirit's prohibition to preach in Asia was therefore a significant and unexpected diversion from what might have appeared to be the most fruitful human strategy.
* **Key Themes:** The most prominent theme in [Acts 16:6](/acts/16-6 "Acts 16:6 - The Spirit's Redirection") is the **Divine Guidance in Missions**. This verse powerfully illustrates that the expansion of the Gospel was not merely a human endeavor but was meticulously orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's active role in commissioning and directing missionaries is a recurring motif in Acts, as seen when the Spirit explicitly set apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work in [Acts 13:2](/acts/13-2 "Acts 13:2 - The Holy Spirit Commissions Barnabas and Saul"). Another crucial theme is the **Sovereignty of God's Plan**. The prohibition to preach in Asia was not a permanent exclusion, as Paul later spent extensive time ministering in Ephesus, a key city in the province of Asia (see [Acts 19:1-20](/acts/19-1-20 "Acts 19:1-20 - Paul's Ministry in Ephesus")). Rather, it was a strategic, temporary redirection designed to open a new, critical front for the Gospel in Europe, demonstrating God's precise timing and overarching purpose. Finally, the verse underscores the theme of **Obedience to the Spirit**. Paul and his companions' immediate compliance with the Spirit's unexpected directive, even when it meant bypassing a seemingly logical and promising mission field, exemplifies the humility and responsiveness required in Spirit-led ministry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **forbidden (Greek, _kōlýō'_):** This verb signifies "to hinder," "to restrain," or "to prevent by word or act." Its use here implies a clear, active, and authoritative intervention by the Holy Spirit. It was not merely a lack of opportunity or an internal change of mind on Paul's part, but a direct divine communication or impression that effectively blocked their intended path. The Spirit actively "stood in their way," indicating a definite "no" to their immediate plans for Asia.
* **Holy Ghost (Greek, _hágios pneûma'_):** This phrase refers to the third person of the Trinity, the divine Spirit. "Hágios" means "sacred" or "holy," denoting the Spirit's divine nature and purity. "Pneûma" means "breath," "wind," or "spirit," often conveying the idea of a powerful, unseen force. Together, "Holy Ghost" (or Holy Spirit) emphasizes the divine agent responsible for this prohibition. It highlights the Spirit's personality, power, and active involvement in guiding the early church's missionary strategy, demonstrating His sovereign authority over human plans and His direct communication with believers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia":** This clause describes the geographical progress of Paul, Silas, and Timothy. They had systematically traversed these Roman provinces in Asia Minor, likely strengthening existing churches and perhaps evangelizing in new areas. This journey signifies their diligent commitment to spreading the Gospel, moving westward from their starting point.
* **"and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia":** This is the pivotal statement of the verse. Despite their westward trajectory and the apparent strategic importance of the Roman province of Asia (with its major cities like Ephesus), the Holy Spirit directly intervened to prevent them from preaching there at that time. The phrase "forbidden of the Holy Ghost" underscores the divine agency behind this redirection, emphasizing that God's Spirit was actively guiding their mission, even by closing doors to seemingly promising opportunities, in order to open others for His greater purpose.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's narration in [Acts 16:6](/acts/16-6 "Acts 16:6 - The Spirit's Redirection") employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Intervention**, where the Holy Spirit directly and explicitly intervenes in the human plans of the missionaries. This is not a subtle leading but an active "forbidding," emphasizing God's sovereign control over the spread of His Word. This intervention also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at a greater, divinely appointed purpose that lies beyond their immediate understanding. The prohibition to preach in Asia sets the stage for the subsequent "Macedonian Call" in [Acts 16:9-10](/acts/16-9-10 "Acts 16:9-10 - The Macedonian Call"), revealing that God had a specific, strategic destination in mind. There is also an element of **Narrative Irony**; what might appear as a setback or a closed door from a human perspective—being prevented from entering a major region—is revealed to be a divinely orchestrated step towards a more significant expansion of the Gospel into a new continent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 16:6 profoundly illustrates the dynamic interplay between human initiative and divine sovereignty in the advancement of God's kingdom. It underscores that Christian mission is fundamentally God's mission, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's "forbidding" reveals that God's plans are often beyond human strategic foresight, demonstrating His perfect knowledge of timing and geography for the Gospel's spread. This divine redirection is not a sign of failure but a testament to God's active involvement in orchestrating events for His glory, ensuring that the Gospel reaches those whom He has chosen, even if it means altering the most well-intentioned human plans. It teaches us to trust God's "no" as much as His "yes," recognizing that His ways are higher than our ways, and His ultimate purpose will prevail.

* [Acts 13:2](/acts/13-2 "Acts 13:2 - The Holy Spirit Commissions Barnabas and Saul")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "God's Word Will Not Return Empty")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This powerful account from Acts 16:6 offers timeless lessons for every believer navigating life and ministry. It challenges us to cultivate a deep sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading, recognizing that His guidance may sometimes involve closing doors we expected to be open or redirecting us from paths that seem logical or desirable. In a world that often prioritizes human planning and strategic efficiency, this verse reminds us that true fruitfulness in God's kingdom comes from Spirit-led obedience, even when the immediate reasons for a redirection are unclear. It encourages us to embrace detours as divine appointments, trusting that God's "no" in one area is often His "yes" to a greater, more strategic purpose elsewhere. Our willingness to yield our plans to His sovereign will is paramount, for it is in surrendering our agenda that we truly align with God's perfect and expansive mission.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or ministry am I relying more on my own strategic planning than on the Holy Spirit's guidance?**
* **How do I typically respond when God closes a door or redirects my path? Do I see it as a setback or a divine opportunity?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's "forbidding" or "leading" in my daily decisions?**
* **How does trusting God's sovereign timing, even when it means waiting or changing direction, strengthen my faith?**

### FAQ
**Why was Paul forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach in Asia at that time?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state the reason, but the subsequent narrative strongly implies it was a strategic redirection by the Holy Spirit. God had a specific, immediate purpose for Paul and his companions: to carry the Gospel into Europe. The "Macedonian Call" in [Acts 16:9-10](/acts/16-9-10 "Acts 16:9-10 - The Macedonian Call") immediately follows this prohibition, revealing God's intention to open a new continent to the Gospel. The Spirit's action ensured that the Gospel would reach Macedonia and Greece, laying foundational churches there, before Paul would later spend significant time ministering in Asia (e.g., Ephesus, as seen in [Acts 19](/acts/19 "Acts 19 - Paul's Ministry in Ephesus")). It was a matter of divine timing and strategic priority, not a permanent ban.

**Does this mean the Holy Spirit can prevent believers from doing good things, like preaching the Gospel?**

Answer: Yes, the Holy Spirit can and does redirect believers, even from seemingly good endeavors, if those endeavors are not aligned with God's precise timing or strategic will for that moment. This is not a sign of God disapproving of the activity itself (preaching the Gospel is always good), but rather a demonstration of His sovereign guidance. Just as a wise general deploys troops strategically, the Holy Spirit directs His servants to the most opportune places and times for maximum kingdom impact. It highlights that obedience to the Spirit's specific leading is more important than simply engaging in generally good activities.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 16:6, with its depiction of the Holy Spirit's sovereign redirection of Paul's missionary efforts, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the ongoing mission of Christ. The Spirit, whom Jesus promised to send as His Advocate and Guide (see [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Advocate")), continues the work that Christ inaugurated during His earthly ministry. Just as Jesus Himself was led by the Spirit (e.g., [Luke 4:1](/luke/4-1 "Luke 4:1 - Jesus Led by the Spirit")), so too is His church empowered and directed by the same Spirit to fulfill the Great Commission (see [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). The Spirit's "forbidding" in Acts 16:6 is a testament to Christ's active headship over His church, ensuring that the Gospel message, which is fundamentally about Him and His redemptive work, reaches the precise individuals and regions ordained by God the Father. This divine orchestration underscores that the expansion of the kingdom is not a human enterprise, but a divine work, perfectly executed by the Spirit to gather those for whom Christ died, ultimately bringing glory to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (see [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 18:23

And after he had spent some time [there], he departed, and went over [all] the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

Acts 11:12

And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:

Acts 13:2

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Acts 13:4

¶ So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

Acts 16:7

After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

Galatians 1:2

And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

1 Peter 1:1

¶ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,