Paul's Advance Team
Paul is coming to the end of his amazing stay in Ephesus. While his first visit to the city was brief (Acts 18:19-21), his second trip to this important Asian seaport lasts three years (Acts 20:31). God uses the man from Tarsus to preach the Good News to all people groups, impacting not just the city but the entire region (Acts 19:10). The Lord also works some "extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul" during his time in Ephesus (Acts 19:11). In one incredible act of repentance, Christ followers burn books containing magic spells (Acts 19:18-19). The estimated value of this book burning was 50,000 pieces of silver.
With the smoke of the Ephesian bonfire still wafting in the air, "Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem" (v21). There is a difference of opinion as to whether the word "Spirit" should be capitalized or not. Is Luke describing the Holy Spirit working in Paul? Or is the apostle making a personal determination about his itinerary? Since the focus of Acts is God working powerfully through His Spirit in the lives of ordinary men, I lean toward the former. Nearly every use of the term in the book points to the supernatural, either the Spirit of God or a demonic spirit. But there are a handful of occasions where Luke uses the "spirit" (Gr. pneuma) to describe what's going on in a person (Acts 17:16).
The best interpretation here may well be both. God's Spirit moved in Paul's spirit to make the trip to Macedonia and Achaia. We are to be sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We're not to grieve (Eph 4:30) or quench Him (1Th 5:19). We're to let Him fill and control us (Eph 5:18) as we walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16). As the Third Person of the Trinity works in Paul, it looks like he's headed to Greece.
The apostle is making plans for a trip to Macedonia and Achaia. This is modern day Greece. He was just there on his last trip, his second missionary expedition (Acts 16:11-18:17). He traveled and ministered in such cities as Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea in Macedonia and then in Athens, Corinth and Cenchreae in Achaia. While he has been in Ephesus for these past three years, he has written letters to the church at Corinth (1 & 2 Corinthians as well as two other letters not preserved in Scripture).
The purpose of this trip is collect a relief offering for the church in Jerusalem which is suffering greatly as a result of horrific famine. Paul prepared the Corinthian church for his arrival and the collection of the aid (2Cor 8-9). He also wrote of his determination to visit the region (1Cor 16:5-11; 2Cor 1:16).
"After I have been there, I must also see Rome" (v21). Paul also wants dearly to travel to Rome after his relief mission is complete (Rom 1:11-13; 15:22-29). It makes perfect sense. It is the capital of the empire. Preaching of Jesus in Rome would have wide reaching impact on the world. The apostle knows that taking the Gospel as far upstream in the centers of culture and commerce will have maximum effect. He plans to use the city as a jumping off point for taking the Gospel to Spain (Rom 15:24, 28). The other reason is that there is a church in Rome. It appears that while Paul has never been to Rome, the church is made up of many of his close friends (Rom 16:3-15). The apostle will indeed got to Rome, but not as he plans. Jesus has something completely different for His handpicked ambassador (Acts 23:11).
To prepare the churches in Europe for his arrival, Paul sends Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia as his advance team (v22). These two men would visit the various cities and encourage each of them to finish the collection of the offerings for their brothers and sisters in Jerusalem. Timothy is a very special person in the apostle's life. He considers him his spiritual son (1Tim 1:2; 2Tim 1:2). Tim will eventually return to Ephesus and pastor the church there (1Tim 1:3). Erastus appears to be the city treasurer of Corinth (Rom 16:23) who remained in the city to minister there (2Tim 4:20).
After sending his advance team to Macedonia and Achaia, Paul continued his work in Ephesus (v22). As has happened in other cities, things are about to get ugly. But in God's providence, Timothy and Erastus are on their way to Europe, preparing for Paul's arrival.
Created 4 months ago
