confirm, be courageous (of good courage, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger), establish, fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen (self), make strong (obstinate, speed)
Concise Bible Dictionary:
Paul and Barnabas went to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith. Judas and Silas, messengers from Jerusalem to Antioch, being prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words and confirmed them. Again Paul and Silas went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches (Acts 14:2222Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22); Acts 15:32,4132And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. (Acts 15:32)
41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. (Acts 15:41)). These passages, with Acts 18:2323And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. (Acts 18:23), where the word is translated “strengthen,” are all the places where the word ἐπιστηρίζω occurs. (There is no idea of any ceremonial, like what is now called “Confirmation.”)
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Meaning:
a primitive root; to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)
KJV Usage:
confirm, be courageous (of good courage, stedfastly minded, strong, stronger), establish, fortify, harden, increase, prevail, strengthen (self), make strong (obstinate, speed)