He passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening ¹  the churches.

[Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

After he spent ¹  some time there, Paul left and went through the region of Galatia ²  and Phrygia, ³  strengthening all the disciples.

King Tiglath-pileser ¹  of Assyria came, but he gave him more trouble than support. ² 

But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, ¹  encouragement, and consolation.

They strengthened ¹  the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue ²  in the faith, saying, “We must enter the kingdom ³  of God through many persecutions.” ⁴ 

As the war continued between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was becoming more influential ¹  in the house of Saul.

“But woe ¹  to you who are rich, for you have received ²  your comfort ³  already.

What should you do then, brothers and sisters? ¹  When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church.

Both Judas and Silas, who were prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with a long speech. ¹ 

When God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the Lord’s covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.

Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. ¹ 

For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And we pray for this: that you may become fully qualified. ¹ 

Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, ¹  any affection or mercy, ² 

The Lord said, “Jerusalem, ¹  I will surely send you away for your own good. I will surely ²  bring the enemy upon you in a time of trouble and distress.

Then ¹  the church throughout Judea, Galilee, ²  and Samaria experienced ³  peace and thus was strengthened. ⁴  Living ⁵  in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, the church ⁶  increased in numbers.

Have you been thinking all this time ¹  that we have been defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up. ² 

His dominion will be vast ¹  and he will bring immeasurable prosperity. ²  He will rule on David’s throne and over David’s kingdom, ³  establishing it ⁴  and strengthening it by promoting justice and fairness, ⁵  from this time forward and forevermore. The Lord’s intense devotion to his people ⁶  will accomplish this.