Acts 20:1-6 – Paul’s journey to Greece

Earlier in Acts 19:21-22, we learned that Paul had already purposed in his spirit to leave for Jerusalem. He intended to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and hope to see Rome on his way. Meanwhile we are told of the uproar instigated by Demetrius and the outcome. Acts 20:1, picks up from there, and tells us that when the uproar had subsided, Paul summoned and exhorted the disciples in Ephesus before he departed for Macedonia. Here his journey through Macedonia to Corinth is summarized. As he passed through the region he ministered and exhorted much. Paul finally arrived at Greece.  

Paul spent three months in Greece where the Jews devised a plot against him as he was about to set sail for Syria. He decided to return through Macedonia. This part must be viewed in the light of the collection that had been taken for the poor in the church in Jerusalem. Here we see a list of people, representatives of the Gentile churches, who accompanied Paul. In a way they were also there to help protect the fund, collected for the poor of the church in Jerusalem. The list included Sopater of Berea, Gaius of Derbe and Timothy, Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.

Verse 5 is not clear whether these delegates traveled ahead of Paul to Troas. It could well be that “these that had gone ahead” was referring to Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia. Anyway Paul traveled to Philippi. At this juncture the “we” narrative returns. It indicates that Luke was part of the team again from this point. Paul then spent the Passover in Philippi, before he went to Troas within five days to meet the two Asians. At Troas they stayed seven days.

Paul was primarily concerned for the Jerusalem collection. Why Luke did not mention this remains a mystery. But we can see that there were unity and love between the Gentile church and the church in Jerusalem. This was clearly demonstrated by the representatives from the Gentile churches.

 

One of the hallmarks for us, followers of Christ, must surely be our unity and love for one another. If we are to demonstrate to the world that God is love we must first show that there is love among us. What better way to show love than to be concerned for the needs of the less fortunate among us!