Acts 16:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

After they were come {G2064} to {G2596} Mysia {G3465}, they assayed {G3985} to go {G4198} into {G2596} Bithynia {G978}: but {G2532} the Spirit {G4151} suffered {G1439} them {G846} not {G3756}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When they came to the frontier of Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit of Yeshua would not let them.

Berean Standard Bible

And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.

American Standard Version

and when they were come over against Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 16:7 records a crucial juncture in Paul's second missionary journey, where the Holy Spirit directly intervened to redirect his evangelistic efforts. Having traveled through Asia Minor, Paul and his companions intended to preach the Gospel in the Roman province of Bithynia, a region strategically located for outreach, but their plans were explicitly thwarted by the Spirit, demonstrating divine sovereignty over human strategy in the advancement of God's kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a similar divine prohibition in [Acts 16:6](/acts/16-6 "Acts 16:6 - Spirit Forbids Preaching in Asia"), where the Holy Spirit had already prevented Paul and his team from preaching the word in the province of Asia. This establishes a clear pattern of active, supernatural guidance rather than mere human logistical challenges. The narrative flow shows Paul, Silas, and Timothy moving westward through Phrygia and Galatia, reaching the border of Mysia. Their intention to enter Bithynia, a logical next step to reach new populations or seaports, is presented as a human decision that is then overridden by divine will. This sets the stage for the pivotal "Macedonian Call" in [Acts 16:9](/acts/16-9 "Acts 16:9 - The Macedonian Call"), which immediately follows this prohibition, illustrating how closed doors lead to divinely opened ones.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's second missionary journey (c. AD 49-52) aimed to strengthen existing churches and evangelize new areas. Asia Minor, a Roman province, was a melting pot of diverse cultures, religions, and philosophical schools, with established Jewish synagogues often serving as initial points of contact for the Gospel. Mysia was a region in the northwest of Asia Minor, bordering Bithynia, another Roman province. Bithynia, particularly its coastal cities like Nicomedia and Nicaea, was strategically important due to its access to the Black Sea and its position on major trade routes. From a human perspective, entering Bithynia would have been a sound strategic move for spreading the Gospel, potentially reaching significant urban centers and establishing a foothold in a new territory. The Roman road system facilitated travel, making such journeys feasible, yet the Spirit's intervention highlights a spiritual geography overriding physical accessibility.
* **Key Themes:** The most prominent theme is the **Sovereignty of the Holy Spirit** in directing the early church's mission. This verse powerfully illustrates that the expansion of the Gospel was not merely a result of human planning or zeal, but was under the direct, active guidance of God. It underscores the theme of **Divine Guidance and Redirection**, showing how God closes certain doors to open others, often leading His servants to paths they had not foreseen but which are central to His broader redemptive plan. Paul's immediate obedience, despite his missionary fervor, highlights the theme of **Submission to God's Will**, emphasizing that true effectiveness in ministry comes from aligning human efforts with divine purpose, as seen in the principle of acknowledging God in all ways from [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord"). This instance also foreshadows the **Global Scope of the Gospel**, as the Spirit's prohibition in Asia Minor ultimately led Paul to Europe, fundamentally altering the trajectory of Christian history and demonstrating God's design for the Gospel to reach "the uttermost part of the earth" (compare [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power and Witnessing")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spirit (Greek, _pneûma_):** Refers specifically to the Holy Spirit (G4151), the third person of the Trinity. In this context, it signifies the divine agent actively directing the apostles' missionary endeavors, demonstrating His personality and sovereign authority in guiding the church. The Spirit is not merely an influence but a distinct person who "suffered them not," indicating a direct, volitional act.
* **Suffered (Greek, _eáō_):** From G1439, meaning "to let be, i.e., permit or leave alone." The negative particle "not" (G3756, _ou_) combined with "suffered" creates a strong prohibition: "did not permit" or "did not allow." This is an active, decisive act of restraint, not a passive lack of opportunity or an ambiguous sign. It underscores the Spirit's direct control and intervention.
* **Assayed (Greek, _peirázō_):** From G3985, meaning "to test, endeavor, scrutinize." Here, it means "they attempted" or "they tried." It highlights the human intention and strategic planning of Paul and his team, which, though well-meaning, were subject to divine oversight. This word shows their proactive desire to spread the Gospel, even as their specific direction was divinely managed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"After they were come to Mysia":** Paul and his companions, having traversed through Phrygia and Galatia, arrived at the geographical region of Mysia, located in the northwest part of Asia Minor. This marks a specific point in their journey, bringing them to the border of their intended next destination.
* **"they assayed to go into Bithynia":** Upon reaching Mysia, the missionary team made a deliberate attempt or plan to enter the neighboring Roman province of Bithynia. This indicates their human strategy and desire to expand their evangelistic efforts into a new, potentially fruitful territory.
* **"but the Spirit suffered them not":** This is the pivotal clause. The conjunction "but" (G2532, _kaí_) introduces a direct counteraction to their human intention. The "Spirit" (the Holy Spirit) actively and decisively "suffered them not," meaning He did not permit or allow them to proceed into Bithynia. This signifies a divine prohibition, overriding their plans and demonstrating the Spirit's sovereign control over the mission's direction.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Narrative Foreshadowing** by setting up a divine redirection that will lead to a momentous shift in the Gospel's geographical spread. The immediate prohibition against entering Bithynia, following a similar one in [Acts 16:6](/acts/16-6 "Acts 16:6 - Spirit Forbids Preaching in Asia"), creates a sense of divine purpose behind the seemingly closed doors, building anticipation for where the Spirit *will* lead them. There is also a clear use of **Contrast** between human intention ("they assayed to go into Bithynia") and divine will ("but the Spirit suffered them not"), highlighting the supremacy of God's plan over human strategy. This contrast emphasizes the Holy Spirit's active role as the primary director of the missionary enterprise, not merely a passive enabler.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 16:7 profoundly illustrates the active and sovereign guidance of the Holy Spirit in the early church's mission, a principle that remains foundational for believers today. It underscores that the expansion of God's kingdom is not solely dependent on human ingenuity or strategic planning, but on divine direction. The Spirit's direct intervention demonstrates God's meticulous oversight of His redemptive purposes, ensuring that the Gospel reaches the divinely appointed places at the divinely appointed times. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that God's "no" is often a redirection to His "yes," leading to outcomes far greater than human foresight could imagine. It calls believers to cultivate a posture of sensitive obedience and trust in the Spirit's leading, even when His ways seem counter-intuitive or disrupt our best-laid plans.

* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways Are Higher")
* [Romans 8:14](/romans/8-14 "Romans 8:14 - Led by the Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 16:7 offers profound insights for our lives today, particularly in discerning God's will and navigating closed doors. It reminds us that our most earnest efforts and well-intentioned plans are always subject to the sovereign will of God, actively expressed through the Holy Spirit. When we encounter obstacles or find paths unexpectedly blocked, rather than viewing them as failures or arbitrary hindrances, we are invited to consider them as potential divine redirections. This requires a deep spiritual sensitivity, a willingness to surrender our own agendas, and a profound trust that God's ultimate plan for us and for His kingdom is perfect, even when it deviates from our expectations. Embracing this truth can transform frustration into faith, knowing that God is always working for our good and His glory, leading us to opportunities and impacts far beyond what we could orchestrate on our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when my plans are thwarted or doors close in my life? Is my first response frustration or a search for divine redirection?**
* **In what areas of my life or ministry am I actively seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance, and how sensitive am I to His prohibitions as well as His affirmations?**
* **Can I recall a time when a "closed door" ultimately led to a better, divinely appointed path in my life? What did I learn from that experience about God's faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**What does "the Spirit suffered them not" mean in practical terms? Was it an audible voice, a vision, or an inner prompting?**

Answer: The text does not specify the exact manner of the Spirit's prohibition, but it clearly indicates an active, divine intervention. Given other instances of the Spirit's guidance in Acts (e.g., [Acts 13:2](/acts/13-2 "Acts 13:2 - Holy Spirit Calls Barnabas and Saul") for calling, [Acts 16:9](/acts/16-9 "Acts 16:9 - The Macedonian Call") for a vision), it could have been an inner conviction, a prophetic word through one of the companions, or even a supernatural obstacle. The key is that it was unmistakably from the Spirit, leaving no doubt in Paul's mind that their intended path was not God's will for that moment. It was a clear, undeniable "no" that redirected their mission.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 16:7, while detailing the Holy Spirit's guidance of Paul's mission, points to the broader Christ-centered reality of God's sovereign plan for redemption. The Spirit's prohibition and subsequent redirection of Paul to Europe ultimately served the purpose of extending the Gospel of Jesus Christ to new Gentile territories, fulfilling the Great Commission given by Jesus Himself (see [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). Just as Christ submitted His will to the Father's, even to the point of death on the cross (as seen in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")), the Spirit's guidance ensures that the church's mission remains aligned with the Father's eternal purpose to glorify the Son. The Spirit, whom Jesus promised would guide His disciples into all truth and declare what is to come (as in [John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")), actively directs the spread of the message of Christ's atoning work and resurrection. Thus, the Spirit's "suffering them not" in Acts 16:7 is not merely an arbitrary obstacle but a precise, purposeful act within the divine economy to ensure that the good news of Jesus reaches those whom God has appointed for salvation, ultimately building up the body of Christ (compare [Ephesians 4:11-16](/ephesians/4-11-16 "Ephesians 4:11-16 - Unity in the Body of Christ")).

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

Romans 8:9

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Philippians 1:19

For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Acts 8:29

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

Galatians 4:6

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

1 Peter 1:1

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

1 Peter 1:11

Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.