Bible Studies in the Life of Paul Part 5

+The Chief City+, in which Paul spent most of his time (Acts 19:1, 8, 10), between two and three years upon this journey, was Ephesus in Asia Minor. This city situated midway between the extreme points of his former missionary journeys was a place where he could have an intelligent oversight over all the work which he had previously accomplished.

Ephesus has been thus described: "It had been one of the early Greek colonies, later the capital of Ionia, and in Paul's day it was by far the largest and busiest of all the cities of proconsular Asia. All the roads in Asia Minor centered in Ephesus and from its position it was almost as much a meeting place of eastern and western thought as Alexandria. Its religion was oriental. Its G.o.ddess called Artemis or Diana, had a Greek name but was the representative of an old Phrygian nature wors.h.i.+p.

The G.o.ddess was an inartistic, many-breasted figure, the body carved with strange figures of animals, flowers, and fruits. The temple built by Alexander the Great was the most magnificent religious edifice in the world. It was kept by a corporation of priests and priestesses, who were supported by the rents of vast estates. For centuries Ephesus was a great center of pilgrimage, and pilgrims came from all parts of Asia to visit the famous shrine."

"The first great blow which this wors.h.i.+p received was given by Paul during his two years' stay in Ephesus, and the story told in this chapter is the history of the beginning of a decline from which the wors.h.i.+p of Diana never recovered. The speech of Demetrius perhaps exaggerates the effects of Paul's work, but it should be remembered that the gospel took firm hold of proconsular Asia from a very early period. Paul's Epistles tell us of the churches in Ephesus, Laodicea, and Colossae, and the Apocalypse adds churches in Pergamos, Smyrna, Thyatira, Sardis, and Philadelphia. Half a century later, Pliny a.s.serted that in this region the temples were deserted, the wors.h.i.+p was neglected, and the sacrificial victims were unsold."

During his long stay in Ephesus, Paul doubtless received many delegations and visitors from the churches formerly organized by him.

The character of the Ephesian Christians can be seen from the Epistle addressed to them (See Study 9).

+Time and Extent.+--About four years, 54-58 A.D., were occupied by Paul in going about among the churches and about 3,500 miles were traveled.

+Epistles.+--This journey was prolific in masterly writings. Paul wrote the First and Second Epistles to the Corinthians from Ephesus about 57 A.D., Galatians from the same city (somewhere between 54 and 56 A.D.), and Romans at Corinth in 58 A.D. (See Study 8).

ITINERARY

+Through Galatia and Phrygia+ (Acts 18:23).--After Paul had spent some time at Antioch, at the close of the second missionary journey, "He departed and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order strengthening all the disciples." Thus Luke briefly sums up in a few words all the incidents of a journey of hundreds of miles of travel.

+Ephesus+ (Acts 19:1-20:1).--Evidently with the purpose of showing what is new and of chief importance in each journey Luke, as is his habit, calls attention to the work of Paul in Ephesus; other parts of this journey are pa.s.sed over with slight mention.

Having gone through the upper coasts, Paul comes to Ephesus. The chief events in this city, during the visit of the Apostle, were:

1. The incident of the work of Apollos is given (Acts 18:24-19:1) to show how Paul found about twelve disciples of John the Baptist (Acts 19:7) at Ephesus and instructed them further, baptizing them in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 19:5, compare Acts 19:1-7).

2. Three months were spent by Paul (Acts 19:8, 9) with the Jews in their synagogue, "disputing and persuading the things pertaining to the kingdom of G.o.d." But when certain of them became hardened and it was plainly seen that little good was being done he left the synagogue.

3. About two years' time was given, after the apostle had separated himself and followers from the Jewish synagogue, to teaching in the school or lecture room of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9, 10). The result of this preaching and teaching was that a great mult.i.tude of men and women was brought to a confession of faith in Christ, throughout Asia.

4. The mighty growth of the Word of G.o.d (Acts 19:20) was attested by the miracles which Paul did in the name of Christ (Acts 19:11, 12). He confounded the Jewish exorcists, who attempted to imitate these miracles (Acts 19:13-20). This great work was shown to be a thorough one from the fact that many who used curious arts brought their books and burned them amounting in value to over $31,000.

5. Paul now proposed, thinking the Ephesian church could stand alone (Acts 19:21, 22), "after he had pa.s.sed through Macedonia and Achaia to go to Jerusalem, saying, after I have been there, I must also see Rome." In antic.i.p.ation of this visit he sent Timotheus and Erastus into Macedonia, "but he himself stayed in Asia for a season."

6. The tumult made by Demetrius (Acts 19:23-40) is a strong proof of the large impression made by the gospel of Jesus Christ upon not only the city of Ephesus but all Asia Minor. The burning of the magical books had arrested the attention of many people, but when the sale of the silver images of the idol, Diana, began to fall off so as to touch the trade of the silversmiths they were up in arms at once. Demetrius showed how the power of Christ had prevailed with men when he declared that, "Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that there be no G.o.ds which are made with hands." The violence of the men who composed the mob showed how deeply Christianity had taken hold upon large numbers of people. Paul, after the uproar had quieted down, carried out his intention of departing for Macedonia.

+Through Macedonia and Greece+ (Acts 21:1-6).--"The order of events seems to have been: (a) Timotheus and Erastus were sent to look after the church discipline at Corinth (Acts 19:22). Stephanas and others came from Corinth and returned with the First Epistle to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 16:17). (b) Paul meant to visit Corinth (1 Cor. 4:18, 19); instead he went to Macedonia by Troas (2 Cor. 2:12, 13). (c) He waited at Troas for news from Corinth, and his anxiety told on his health (2 Cor. 2:12; 1:8; 4:10, 11; 12:7). (d) In spite of illness he pressed on to Macedonia (2 Cor. 2:13), where he met t.i.tus, who brought him good news of the state of the Corinthian church (2 Cor. 7:5-9). (e) He wrote the Second Epistle to the Corinthians and sent it by t.i.tus, and resolved to wait sometime longer before going to Corinth, for he wished to take a contribution from the Corinthians to Jerusalem (2 Cor. 9:1-5). (f) In Macedonia he probably visited Berea, Thessalonica, and Philippi, with perhaps a journey to Illyric.u.m (Rom. 15:19).

(g) He went to Greece (Corinth and Cenchrea). (h) He proposed sailing for Syria with the contributions of the various churches, and with delegates who carried the money; Sopater from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timotheus from Lystra, Tychicus and Trophimus from Ephesus (Acts 20:4; 21:29). (i) The Jews of Corinth conspired to murder Paul on his embarkation, so his friends went by s.h.i.+p, and he eluded the conspirators by going by land to Philippi. (j) Then he took s.h.i.+p for Troas, having Luke who had been at Philippi for his companion ("We sailed").

+The Return Journey,+ Troas to Jerusalem (Acts 20:6-21:15).

1. Troas. Luke and Paul were five days in reaching Troas, from Philippi, where they found a number of the brethren who had preceded them (Acts 20:6, compare Acts 20:4-6). Seven days were spent at Troas (Acts 20:6). We have here the record of how the disciples spent the Sabbath day in breaking bread together and in listening to the preaching of Paul. (Acts 20:7-12). This last day here came near being marred by Eutychus meeting his death, when he fell down from the third loft. But Paul was there and Eutychus's life was spared. The meeting did not break up until the next morning, so interested were they in talking over "The Way."

2. Troas to Miletus (Acts 20:13-15). Paul's company went by s.h.i.+p first to a.s.sos, where Paul met them; he having covered the distance of about twenty miles on foot. At a.s.sos Paul joined the company on the s.h.i.+p and they sailed from a.s.sos to Mitylene. "And we sailed thence," says Luke, "and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus."

3. At Miletus (Acts 20:17-38) Paul sent for the elders of the Ephesian church to come to him. When they came he spoke to them in a very touching and tender way. This address has been divided into four parts: (a) What was behind Paul; he called them to witness that he had been faithful in declaring to them the full gospel of Jesus Christ, repentance toward G.o.d and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (b) What was before Paul; he said that in every city the Holy Ghost witnessed that bonds and afflictions awaited him. (c) What was before the elders of the Ephesian church; it was theirs to take care of the flock over which they presided and "to feed the church of G.o.d." (d) Commendation of the elders to G.o.d in their good work. (e) Paul's earnest prayer for their welfare. (f) The farewell words.

4. Miletus to Caesarea and Jerusalem (Acts 21:1-15) by way of Coos, Rhodes, Patara, Tyre, and Caesarea.

At Tyre there was a wait of seven days and a change of s.h.i.+ps; in this city it was testified to Paul that he should not go up to Jerusalem. At the parting, when Paul and his company took s.h.i.+p to go to Caesarea, the disciples of Tyre came out to see them off and all kneeled down on the sh.o.r.e and prayed. At Caesarea where Paul's company tarried many days, it was again made known to Paul by the Holy Ghost that bonds and imprisonment awaited him at Jerusalem, but still he pressed on saying, "The will of the Lord be done." Arriving in Jerusalem they were gladly received by the brethren.

QUESTIONS

What was the method of evangelizing the ancient world?

How did the three missionary journeys differ from each other?

What can be said of the chief city in which Paul spent so much of the time of this journey? Time and extent of this journey?

What Epistles were written? Give the chief incidents of the itinerary; through Galatia and Phrygia; in Ephesus; through Macedonia and Greece; the return voyage.

II. PAUL'S JOURNEYS

_Scripture, Acts 13:1-28:31_

STUDY VI

JERUSALEM TO ROME

_Acts 21:17-28:31_

a.n.a.lYSIS

+This Journey+--From Jerusalem to Rome. The Seven Speeches.

The Writings. Time and Extent. The Historical Connections.

+Paul at Jerusalem+--The Return to Jerusalem. The Meeting with James and the Elders of the Church. The Temple Riot.

The Speech of Paul to the Rioters. Before the Jewish Council. Paul Comforted by G.o.d. Conspiracy of Jewish Fanatics.

+Paul at Caesarea+--The First Defense, before Jewish Accusers and the Roman Governor Felix. Second Defense, before Felix. Third Defense, before Festus. Fourth Defense, before Festus and King Agrippa II.

+The Voyage to Rome+--Caesarea to Myra. Myra to Melita. Melita to Rome.

+Paul at Rome+--Testifying to the Jews. Testifying to the Gentiles. Incidental Notices of the Imprisonment. The Further Travels of Paul.

II. PAUL'S JOURNEYS

_Scripture, Acts 13:2-28:31_

STUDY VI

JERUSALEM TO ROME

_Scripture, Acts 21:11-28:31_