Acts 20:1-6
Gospel mission continues through encouragement, travel, and shared labor despite opposition.
1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
2 When he had gone through those parts, and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece.
3 When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
4 These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
5 But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas.
6 We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.
Gospel mission continues through encouragement, travel, and shared labor despite opposition.
To narrate Paul’s departure from Ephesus, his encouragement of believers across Macedonia and Greece, and the assembling of a missionary team.
This passage marks the close of Paul’s Ephesian ministry and the transition toward Jerusalem. Luke emphasizes pastoral encouragement, strategic movement, and multinational fellowship. The narrative bridges from public riot to quiet strengthening of churches.
Following the Ephesian riot, Paul departs Asia and revisits Macedonia and Greece during the latter phase of his third missionary journey. His three-month stay in Greece likely centers in Corinth. A Jewish plot forces a rerouting through Macedonia. Luke records a diverse group of companions representing churches across the region, possibly linked to the collection for Jerusalem.
Paul’s Farewell Charge to Shepherd the Church of God
Acts 20 shows that faithful ministry proclaims the whole counsel of God, testifies to the gospel of grace, shepherds the blood-bought church, and remains vigilant against dangers from without and within.