SEV Biblia, Chapter 16:6
¶ Y pasando a Frigia y la provincia de Galacia, les fue prohibido por el Espíritu Santo hablar la Palabra en Asia.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 16:6
Verse 6. Were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.] The Asia mentioned here could not be Asia Minor in general, for Galatia, Phrygia, Pisidia, Lycaonia, and Pamphylia, were provinces of it, and in these the apostles preached; but it was what was called Proconsular Asia, which included only Ionia, AEolia, and Lydia. The apostles were not suffered to visit these places at this time; but they afterwards went thither, and preached the Gospel with success; for it was in this Proconsular Asia that the seven Churches were situated. God chose to send his servants to another place, where he saw that the word would be affectionately received; and probably those in Proconsular Asia were not, as yet, sufficiently prepared to receive and profit by it.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 6. Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia , etc.] (See Gill on Acts 2:10) To which may be added, that this country had its name either from the river Phryx, as Pliny observes, or from the word Phrygios, which signifies dry; this being a very dry and sandy country: it was famous for marble stone; hence we read of Phrygian Stone or marble, of which pillars and statues were made: according to Josephus f768 , the original of the Phrygians was Togarmah the son of Gomer, and grandson of Japheth, ( Genesis 10:3), whom he calls Thygrammes, and his people from him, Thygrammeans, and who, adds he, as it seems by the Greeks, are called Phrygians. Herodotus reports, that the Phrygians (as the Macedonians say) were called Briges or Brygians, so long as they were Europeans, and dwelt with the Macedonians: but when they went into Asia, together with the country, they changed their names, into Phrygians: of one Philip a Phrygian, whom Antiochus left governor at Jerusalem, mention is made in: And he left governors to vex the nation: at Jerusalem, Philip, for his country a Phrygian, and for manners more barbarous than he that set him there; (2 Maccabees 5:22) here dwelt Jews, as appears from ( Acts 2:10) and here the apostle preached and made converts. And the region of Galatia : in Asia Minor: it had Cappadocia on the east, Bithynia on the west, Pamphylia on the south, and the Euxine sea on the north. The inhabitants of this country were originally Gauls, who under Brennus their captain, came out of some parts of France, and invaded Italy, and came to Rome, and took it all but the capitol; from whence being sallied out upon by the Romans at an unawares, they were obliged to retire; and from thence they sailed into Greece, and went into Asia, into this part of it where they settled, which was first called after them Gallo Graecia, and in process of time Galatia; though some say the Grecians called them Galatians from Gala, which signifies milk, because of their milky colour: of the Galatians, mention is made in, And he told them of the battle that they had in Babylon with the Galatians, how they came but eight thousand in all to the business, with four thousand Macedonians, and that the Macedonians being perplexed, the eight thousand destroyed an hundred and twenty thousand because of the help that they had from heaven, and so received a great booty. (2 Maccabees 8:20) here the Gospel was preached, and many believed; for we afterwards read of disciples both in this country and in Phrygia, ( Acts 18:23) and here were churches formed, and to whom the apostles preached, and delivered the decrees of the apostles and elders. And were forbidden of the Holy Ghost ; not by an articulate voice, but by a secret and powerful impulse upon their minds; to preach the word in Asia : that is, in that country which was properly called Asia, or pro-consular Asia, otherwise Phrygia, and Galatia, were provinces in Asia Minor. Bezas most ancient copy, and the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions read, the word of God: the reasons why it was prohibited to be preached here, at this time, cannot be said, and must be referred to the sovereign will of God; it seems, that at this instant, there were no chosen ones to be called by grace, and there was work for the apostle and his companions to do elsewhere, namely, in Macedonia.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-15 - The removals of ministers, and the dispensing the means of grace by them, are in particular under Divine conduct and direction. We mus follow Providence: and whatever we seek to do, if that suffer us not we ought to submit and believe to be for the best. People greatly nee help for their souls, it is their duty to look out for it, and to invite those among them who can help them. And God's calls must be complied with readily. A solemn assembly the worshippers of God mus have, if possible, upon the sabbath day. If we have not synagogues, we must be thankful for more private places, and resort to them; no forsaking the assembling together, as our opportunities are. Among the hearers of Paul was a woman, named Lydia. She had an honest calling which the historian notices to her praise. Yet though she had a callin to mind, she found time to improve advantages for her soul. It will no excuse us from religious duties, to say, We have a trade to mind; for have not we also a God to serve, and souls to look after? Religion doe not call us from our business in the world, but directs us in it Pride, prejudice, and sin shut out the truths of God, till his grac makes way for them into the understanding and affections; and the Lor alone can open the heart to receive and believe his word. We mus believe in Jesus Christ; there is no coming to God as a Father, but by the Son as Mediator.
Greek Textus Receptus
διελθοντες 1330 5631 V-2AAP-NPM δε 1161 CONJ την 3588 T-ASF φρυγιαν 5435 N-ASF και 2532 CONJ την 3588 T-ASF γαλατικην 1054 A-ASF χωραν 5561 N-ASF κωλυθεντες 2967 5685 V-APP-NPM υπο 5259 PREP του 3588 T-GSN αγιου 40 A-GSN πνευματος 4151 N-GSN λαλησαι 2980 5658 V-AAN τον 3588 T-ASM λογον 3056 N-ASM εν 1722 PREP τη 3588 T-DSF ασια 773 N-DSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
6. Asia. See on ch. ii. 9.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
16:6 {The region of Phrygia and Galatia} (tn Phrugian kai Galatikn ch"ran). this is probably the correct text with one article and apparently describes one "Region" or District in The Province of Galatia which was also Phrygian (the old-ethnographic name with which compare the use of Lycaonia in #14:6). Strictly speaking Derbe and Lystra, though in the Province of Galatia, were not Phrygian, and so Luke would here be not resumptive of the record in verses #1-5; but a reference to the country around Iconium and Antioch in Pisidia in North Galatia is not included. this verse is hotly disputed at every point by the advocates of the North Galatian theory as represented by Chase and the South Galatian theory by Ramsay. Whatever is true in regard to the language of Luke here and in #18:23, it is still possible for Paul in #Ga 1:2 to use the term Galatia of the whole province of that name which could, in fact, apply to either South or North Galatia or to both. He could, of course, use it also in the ethnographic sense of the real Gauls or Celts who dwelt in North Galatia. Certainly the first tour of Paul and Barnabas was in the Province of Galatia though touching only the Regions of Pisidia, Phrygia, and Lycaonia, which province included besides the Gauls to the north. In this second tour Lycaonia has been already touched (Derbe and Lystra) and now Phrygia. The question arises why Luke here and in #18:23 adds the term "of Galatia" (galatiken) though not in #13:14 (Pisidian Antioch) nor in #14:6 (cities of Lycaonia). Does Luke mean to use "of Galatia" in the same ethnographic sense as "of Phrygia" or does he here add the province (Galatia) to the name of the Region (Phrygia)? In itself either view is possible and it really matters very little except that the question is raised whether Paul went into the North Galatian Region on this occasion or later (#18:23). He could have done so and the epistle be addressed to the churches of South Galatia, North Galatia, or the province as a whole. But the Greek participle kwluqentes ("having been forbidden") plays a part in the argument that cannot be overlooked whether Luke means to say that Paul went north or not. this aorist passive participle of kwluw, to hinder, can only express simultaneous or antecedent action, not subsequent action as Ramsay argues. No example of the so-called subsequent use of the aorist participle has ever been found in Greek as all Greek grammarians agree (Robertson, _Grammar_, pp. 860-63, 1112-14). The only natural meaning of kwluqentes is that Paul with Silas and Timothy "passed through the region of Phrygia and Galatia" because they were hindered by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia (the Province of Asia of which Ephesus was the chief city and west of Derbe and Lystra). this construction implies that the country called "the region of Phrygia and Galatia" is not in the direct line west toward Ephesus. What follows in verse #7 throws further light on the point.
