In reading through this section of Acts it struck me once again how frequently the idea of encouragement turns up. Paul was a dynamic and strong leader, but it was not an assertive form of leadership, rather an encouraging type. He has just been released from prison, still smarting from the indignity and pain of being flogged, and yet he is the one doing the encouraging! You might have expected the new Christians to be encouraging him, but true to his calling to look after the people of God he sets about strengthening them in case they find themselves in the same predicament as he had been in.
What a heart-warming picture of leadership this is – and I wonder what he actually said to them all. How did he encourage them? I think it is helpful at this stage to consider the letter to these Philippians, written by Paul when he was in prison in Rome later in his life.
Three things stand out right at the beginning of the letter that would have encouraged them, and are likely to have been the basis of what Paul said to them on this occasion.
First – he expressed thanks for them. (Phil 1 v 3) He was grateful for their friendship, support and love. No moans about them, no ifs and buts, he simply valued them as members of God’s family and was quick to say so. Slave girl, or business woman; jailer or whatever; he held them all equally in high regard.
Then he assured them of his prayers. He was going to remember them. (Phil 1 vv 3-4). He would have assured them that his visit was no ‘Convert-you-and run’ kind of missionary exercise. He loved them too much for that!
And then he assured them that God would continue His work in them. (Phil 1 v 6) God was going to remember them and He would stick with them too.

For reflection: Encouragement is not calling people to action, but loving them and assuring them that God does too, and is at work in them.