9:31 What does it mean that the churches had rest?
9:31 What does it mean that the churches had rest?
For some reason or other at this time the Jews stopped persecuting the churches throughout Judea, Gallilee and Samaria. Many Christians believe it was because of Paul's conversion to Christianity, but this is not correct because Paul himself had to flee Jerusalem, which was in Judea, to escape being killed by the Jews (CP V26-30).
The Grecians - or Hellenists - were foreign born, Greek speaking Jews. Scriptures are silent on why the persecution of the churches stopped, but during this time the churches were being built up in the faith and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and were multiplied in number. Walking in the fear of the Lord means regarding God with holy awe and reverence as the creator and maker of all things, and the one who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell (CP Jn 1:1-3 with Lu 12:4-5; He 12:28-29).
Those who fear the Lord say no to sin and live a life of strict obedience to His commandments (CP Psa 112:1; 119:63; Ecc 12:13; Mt 19:17). The fear of the Lord produces in believers a confident, hope and trust in Him, and results in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, such as the believers in Ac 9:31 experienced.
This means that those who fear the Lord have a deep experience of spiritual security and the assurance that God will deliver their soul from death (CP Psa 33:18-21; 2Cor 1:9-10; He 2:13-15).