Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 18:23

"And having spent some time [there], he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples." — Acts 18:23 (ASV)

Paul remained at Syrian Antioch probably from the summer of 52 through the spring of 53. Then, on what was to be his third missionary journey, he set out for Ephesus some fifteen hundred miles to the west, revisiting the churches throughout “the region of Galatia and Phrygia” and “strengthening all the disciples.” Once again, Luke is probably referring to the Phrygian region of Galatia or some district in southern Galatia where both Phrygian and Celtic dialects could be heard (cf. comments on 16:6). He strengthened the Christian disciples in the areas surrounding Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.