Acts 20:1-6 – When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. 2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3 where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
“When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia.” After the riot caused by self-serving business owners in Ephesus, and the Lord causing a non-believing City Clerk to calm down a murderous mob (Acts 19), Paul spent some time to make sure that the Church at Ephesus was on stable ground before he moved on.
“He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3 where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.” Along Paul’s journey to Greece he and his companions spoke words of encouragement to previously established churches.
Paul stayed in Greece for three months. Likely it was winter time and so he was likely staying there till through the winter until travel would be safer.
As Paul was about to sail for Syria, somehow he was alerted that some Jews were plotting to murder him, possibly the same Jews from Corinth who had earlier risen up against him. One thing we know for sure is that anyone who plots murder in name of their religion either is a false adherent or insane. But then again, anything but the Gospel is a false religion and so who knows what evil may come from it. The Jews plotted to take the same ship as Paul and toss him into the sea. As a result Paul changed his plans and doubled back and went to Macedonia instead of directly to Syria.
Paul who came to the Lord on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) was not the same Paul who was later to be martyred for His witness for the Lord. No, the Lord had been teaching and growing him. He increasingly had learned to follow the lead of God instead of his own plans. He had learned that though he may think of good reasons to do one thing or go one way, God always has a better plan. After all, Paul, as Saul, had formerly thought that pleasing God was killing Christians. Paul learned that it is best to yield to the Lord’s plans. He learned that charging ahead may not be the best example of following the Lord’s will, but instead he increasingly learned to let the Lord lead him. Paul learned to adapt from his plans to the plans of the Lord. Still, that does not mean that there would be no trouble as Paul as he would continually encounter. As we know, the Lord never said everything would be easy, quite the opposite (John 16:33), but He did say it would all be worth it, and that is what we cling to (Matthew 11:28-10, John 14:1-3, Hebrews 6:10).
“He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.” Paul’s group had grown. He was leading souls to Jesus and He was building them up to serve as pastors and evangelists. The known world was being quickly evangelized by not many men. Not by their own will and strength, but by the plan of the Lord.
“These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.” Notice that Luke is again using “us.” So again he is with the group.
The previously mentioned group went ahead of Paul. Some think they were used as a decoy. As those who were plotting against Paul watched his companions, he slipped away differently. He stayed at Philippi during the Festival of Unleavened Bread before meeting up with them at Troas and staying seven days with them there. Let’s note that Paul was still observing the Jewish celebrations, this one was the Festival of Unleavened Bread. Yes, Paul was the Christian Apostle to the pagans, but he loved his Jewish ancestry and cherished how the Jews had been the guardians of God’s Word and they were the ones whom God used to gift the whole world with what would come to be known as the Old Testament, the riches revealing the wonder of the New Testament.
When we first become Christians we make plans as to how we think we can best serve the Lord. Too often we want to rush forward and preach the Word and evangelize the world in our own power, not fully understanding how to follow God. God is patient with us and brings us where He will in order to bring us to our fulfillment of His purpose. Serving God, learning to follow His lead, and gaining the wisdom and understanding that God has for us is a process. For us to be used God has lessons for us to learn and wisdom for us to obtain. Some grow in wisdom and knowledge quickly. Others of us, are strong willed and the process takes longer than it needs too. But the Lord knows how to raise His children. We learn to trust Him rather than ourselves. How lovely and wonderful is the love and patience of God. Praise God who loves us, His children, so completely! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”