And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

ACTS 16:5KJV
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Acts 16:5 (KJV)

What does Acts 16:5 mean?

Acts 16:5 describes two developments among the churches Paul and his companions visited. The believers became more firmly grounded in their shared faith, and the number of people in their communities grew day by day.

Luke, the narrator, presents these developments after Paul and his companions delivered the decisions mentioned in verse 4. The word “churches” refers to groups of believers in different places, rather than to buildings.

The Greek behind Acts 16:5

  • “established” — στερεόω (stereoō): This word carries the sense of making something firm or strong. Here it pictures the believers becoming more secure in their faith.
  • “faith” — πίστις (pistis): This word can refer to trust or belief. Here “the faith” points to the shared belief that held these communities together.
  • “increased” — περισσεύω (perisseuō): This word can carry the sense of becoming greater or more abundant. Luke pairs it with “in number” to describe growth in the size of the communities.

Why Acts 16:5 matters

  • The verse connects inner strength with growth in numbers, but treats them as distinct developments. Luke says the churches were “established in the faith” and also “increased in number.”
  • The growth happened over time rather than on just one occasion. “Daily” presents the increase as a continuing development during this period.
  • The verse ties the churches’ progress to the visit described just before it. The opening “And so” follows the account of Paul and his companions passing on decisions for the believers to keep.

Where else these words appear

“were” Greek G4732 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 3:7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
  • Acts 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

“number” Greek G706 · used in 15 verses

  • Luke 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
  • Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
  • Revelation 9:16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

“increased” Greek G4052 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

“churches” Greek G1577 · used in 115 verses

  • Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
  • 1 Corinthians 11:22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
  • Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: