Acts 16

“Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain…” Naming Derbe and Greek keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.” Naming Iconium and Lystra keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those…” Naming Greek and Him keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles…” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.” The line’s distinctive content terms include churches, daily, established. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach…” Naming Asia and Galatia keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.” Naming Bithynia and Mysia keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.” Naming Mysia and Troas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into…” Naming Macedonia and Come keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord…” Naming Macedonia keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city…” Naming Macedonia and Philippi keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and…” The line’s distinctive content terms include city, prayer, resorted. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose…” The verse names God and Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the…” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us…” Naming Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of…” Naming Christ and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the…” Naming Paul and Silas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,” Naming Jews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.” Naming Romans keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:” The line’s distinctive content terms include charging, jailor, keep. Its relationship to verses 22 and 24 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” Naming Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and…” The line’s distinctive content terms include prison, awaking, doors. Its relationship to verses 26 and 28 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.” Naming Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,” Naming Paul and Silas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Naming Believe and Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” The line’s distinctive content terms include baptized, hour, night. Its relationship to verses 34 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.” The line’s distinctive content terms include magistrates, serjeants. Its relationship to verses 34 and 36 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart…” Naming Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.” Naming Romans keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.” The line’s distinctive content terms include besought, city, depart. Its relationship to verses 38 and 40 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they…” Naming Lydia keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.