It Takes Teamwork

Acts 20:1-6

“And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.” (Acts 20:1)

Paul had already decided to leave Ephesus, with the intent of going to Jerusalem and eventually to Rome. The uproar by Demetrius and the craftsman and the Holy Spirit’s handling of it just precipitated his leaving. His presence was no longer required, and to stay would hamper the church’s growth by inflaming the opposition. The Holy Spirit used the uproar to move Paul along.

Later, while in prison, Paul would write the book of Ephesians, reminding them of the love of God that saved them and encouraging them not to forget what he’d done, or drift into sin. In Revelation 2, God rebuked the church at Ephesus for having forgotten the love God had demonstrated to them, and begun to focus on other things, although they were still doctrinally sound.

“And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.” (Acts 20:2-3)

Returning to Jerusalem would require passing through or close to a number of areas Paul had already worked in. It was logical to use the opportunity to visit those areas to encourage and address any problems. While the Holy Spirit sometimes gives specific instructions, such as when he directed Paul and his companions to go into Macedonia rather than Asia, or when he directed Philip to meet the Ethiopian Eunuch near Gaza, he frequently doesn’t. If there is no specific direction to another place, it implies we are where God wants us and should serve in this place until he shows us where to go next. God frequently uses circumstances to lead us. To bypass the nearby areas would not be an efficient usage of the time in the area. It appears that Paul spent several months visiting the other churches, and we know for sure that he spent three months in Greece, encouraging and teaching those who had believed in Athens and whatever other cities they had visited.

Sailing directly to Syria and Israel would limit the choices to travel, making it easier for the Jewish conspirators to find him, so Paul chose an indirect route through Macedonia. Although it was much longer, this route had the further advantage of allowing him to visit the Macedonian churches as well.

“And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. These going before tarried for us at Troas.” (Acts 20:4-5)

Seven members of Paul’s company went on ahead to contact the various Asian churches while Paul and others visited the churches in Macedonia. All of them were men who had been saved under Paul’s ministry, and were trained and mentored by Paul and Silas, on the job. They had demonstrated a spiritual level that Paul could regularly leave them or send them to meet the needs of the various churches.

It is interesting to review what we know about these men. Trophimus was already a member of the group when Paul left Timothy and Silas at Berea and is mentioned in II Timothy 4:20. Tychicus was sent to Ephesus and Colosse at different times and is mentioned several times. Gaius was from Timothy’s home town, and along with Aristarchus had been seized in Ephesus during the uprising by the craftsmen. Paul was staying in Gaius’ home and the church was meeting there when he wrote the book of Romans. Another Gaius is mentioned at Corinth, and a third one is mentioned in II John as a result of John’s ministry. Aristarchus is mentioned in both Colossians and Philemon. Sopater and Secundus are only mentioned in this verse. Timothy is rather well known.

As we look at this list we are again impressed that the great spread of the Gospel was not merely a product of Paul’s efforts but that the Holy spirit drew other men to him who would devote their lives to the Lord as well. In addition to these seven, Paul was also aided by Barnabas, Silas, Titus, John Mark, Priscilla and Aquila, Luke, and others. As Paul and Barnabas were careful to point out in Acts 14, It was not what they had done, but what God had done with them. Paul was very concerned that Christians not place the emphasis on individuals, writing, “that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another,” in I Corinthians 4:6. I suspect he would be very troubled by the modern focus on well known preachers and evangelists.

Just as focusing on a star player can hurt a sports program, it can harm the Lord’s work. The star does not win games without a good coach and team to direct and support him.

“And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.” (Acts 20:6)

Though Troas is only about a hundred and fifty miles from Philippi in a straight line, it took five days of sailing to arrive. Reunited, they spent a week with the Christians in Troas where Paul had been directed to go into Macedonia, in Acts 16.