A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 15:41

"And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches." — Acts 15:41 (ASV)

Went through (διηρχετο). Imperfect middle. So Paul went forth on his second mission tour with heart-aches and high hopes mingled together.

Syria and Cilicia (την Συριαν κα την Κιλικιαν). He took the opposite course from the first tour, leaving Cyprus to Barnabas and Mark. Probably Paul had established these churches while in Tarsus after leaving Jerusalem (Acts 9:30; Galatians 1:21). Paul would go "by the Gulf of Issus through the Syrian Gates, a narrow road between steep rocks and the sea, and then inland, probably past Tarsus and over Mt. Taurus by the Cilician gates" (Page). This second tour will occupy Luke's story in Acts through 18:22.