Page 77 - acts_study_book3

It is Paul’s desire to visit Macedonia again because of the faithful brothers who have stood with
him financially during his hardships in Corinth. Paul has become great friends with them and
they are close to his heart.

GREECE

Act 20:2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he
came to Greece

Paul travels again the path through Berea, Thessalonica, and Philippi. He exhorts the disciples
this time because he had been unable to do so the first time he preached; he had been run out
of town before he was able to. Now that the trouble has settled down, Paul returns to build up
the members of the congregations he had helped begin. He is also able to thank them for their
tremendous financial gifts brought to him by Timothy and Silas (18:5). After Paul leaves
Macedonia, he heads to Achaia.

RETURN TO MACEDONIA

Act 20:3 and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to
sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.

During the three months Paul is in Achaia, he writes the epistle to the Romans. Also during this
time, the Jews make an assassination attempt on his life. The Jews are on board a ship Paul is
to take to Syria. While on board, the Jews plot to kill him. Instead, Paul determines to go to
Macedonia. Paul is being directed by the Spirit without his knowledge. Paul may have thought
he was determining to do this himself, but he is being prompted by the Holy Spirit.

We will never know until we get to heaven how many times the Holy Spirit led us without our
understanding. We have been protected and guided by angels and the Holy Spirit numerous
times. This is all part of the walk of faith.

PAUL’S TRAVELING TEAM TO MACEDONIA

Act 20:4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the
Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.

This verse lists Paul’s traveling team and seminary into Macedonia. They will receive “on-the-
job training.” The calling and operation of the apostle will be both taught and demonstrated.
Many will be left to establish churches along the way. Berea was where the Word was received
with “readiness of mind” (7:4). This is the place where the believers were commended for
searching out the scriptures to verify the teaching of Paul.

Sopater came from Berea and must have been a wonderful and strong believer. Aristarchus
and Secundus were from Thessalonica. Aristarchus was almost killed in Ephesus (19:29) and
will be with Paul in prison (Acts 27:2; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:24). Gaius, from Derbe, was