Acts 9:31
“So the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.”
What does Acts 9:31 mean?
After the intense persecution that followed Stephen's death, this verse captures a beautiful turning point. The early church suddenly found breathing room, not because persecution ended forever, but because Saul (who had been a fierce opponent) had a dramatic conversion and stopped hunting believers. In that season of relative peace, the young communities grew—not just in numbers, but in spiritual depth and courage. What's striking is how the verse holds two things together: the churches walked in "fear of the Lord" while simultaneously being comforted by the Holy Spirit. These aren't opposites. Fear here means reverence and awe, a deep awareness of God's presence and holiness. That seriousness about their faith actually freed them to grow and multiply rather than shrink in hiding. The Holy Spirit's comfort wasn't about removing difficulty, but about strengthening them from within so they could move forward with confidence. If you're in a season of uncertainty or struggle, this reminds us that peace doesn't always mean the absence of hardship, but rather the presence of God's support and the assurance that He's working even when visible circumstances seem impossible.