<p>16:7 <i>And when they came to the border of Mysia, they attempted</i> <em>to go into Bithynia- </em>The Greek really means to put to the test. Having been forbidden or hindered from preaching in Asia, they realized they were being led to some areas but not others. And so when they thought of preaching in Bithynia, they set up various tests to see if their way was to be made prosperous there or not. The spirit of Jesus, perhaps their own spiritual mindedness, didn't permit them to go there. Perhaps they learnt the lesson and therefore likewise purposefully didn't preach in Mysia (see on :8).</p><p><em>But the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them</em>- Living according to the spirit / mind / example of Jesus will mean that we naturally find the answers to some of the practical dilemmas which may arise in our lives. Could it not be that the spirit of Jesus, a life lived after His pattern, compelled them to (let&rsquo;s imagine) go to visit a sick child and this meant they missed the transport leaving for Bithynia?</p>