In Greek, this verse is a continuation of the sentence begun in the preceding verse and forms a dependent clause referring back to the verb welcomed. Preached and taught are actually participles defending the manner in which he welcomed all who came to see him.

By closing his book with the words all boldness and freedom, Luke indicates that though Paul’s message was rejected by the Jews, he was not hindered in his preaching by the Roman government. The first of these words, boldness, refers to Paul’s own inner attitude, while the second, freedom, refers to the attitude of the Roman government toward Paul’s activities. Boldness may be rendered as “he spoke to everyone,” “he did not hesitate to speak to everyone,” “he had no fear whatsoever,” or “he was not at all intimidated.” In contrast with this, freedom may be translated as “he was not stopped in any way from preaching,” “he was allowed to speak to everyone,” or “there was no one to whom he could not speak.”