³ But Saul^(A) began to destroy the church.^(B) Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

⁴ Those who had been scattered^(A) preached the word wherever they went.^(B)

The Church in Antioch

¹⁹ Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed^(A) traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch,^(B) spreading the word only among Jews. ²⁰ Some of them, however, men from Cyprus^(C) and Cyrene,^(D) went to Antioch^(E) and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news^(F) about the Lord Jesus. ²¹ The Lord’s hand was with them,^(G) and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.^(H)

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,^[a] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

⁹ for which I am suffering^(A) even to the point of being chained^(B) like a criminal. But God’s word^(C) is not chained.

¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything^(A) for the sake of the elect,^(B) that they too may obtain the salvation^(C) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.^(D)

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.^(A)

¹⁷ But the Lord stood at my side^(A) and gave me strength,^(B) so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.^(C) And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.^(D)