The plan of the second missionary journey is follow-up nurture, then further outreach. Paul is not one to "dip and drop" his converts (Talbert 1984:68). He suggests to Barnabas that they visit (denoting caring oversight; compare Lk 1:68, 78; 7:16; Acts 15:14) the brothers and sisters in the churches they have planted (13:13—14:20; 15:41; 16:1, 4-6; Gal 1:2, 21; 3:1-5). This was always Paul's practice (Acts 14:21-23; 18:23; 19:21; 20:1-6).

So after disagreeing with Barnabas and choosing Silas, Paul went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. As had been done at Antioch, the emissaries shore up the Gentile Christians' faith, which has almost been dismantled by the Judaizers (compare 15:32). They probably also deliver the Jerusalem Council's decrees (15:23). The summary statement about ministry in the Galatian churches explicitly notes such activity (16:4-5).

The result is the same: wise and healthy decisions (used of imperial decrees at Lk 2:1; Acts 17:7) help to strengthen Christians in the faith (compare 3:7, 16; Col 2:5; 1 Pet 5:9). Qualitative growth is matched by quantitative growth. With reaffirmation of the Gentiles' full acceptance by faith alone and instructions on how to fellowship with scrupulous Jewish Christians, it is not surprising that the churches grew daily in numbers (compare 2:41, 47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 9:31; 11:21; 12:24). So today God's hand of blessing, manifest in quantitative growth, will be seen where Christians proclaim a gospel of grace without additional cultural requirements and promote multicultural unity. And this fruit will remain when we choose the right purpose: nurture.