Paul didn't just visit churches; he "gone over those parts" with "much exhortation," which implies a deep, thorough engagement, not just a quick stop. This wasn't merely encouragement, but a significant investment of his time and words to strengthen believers facing opposition.
When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After concluding his ministry in the regions of Asia, Paul spent time strengthening the believers he'd encountered with extensive teaching and encouragement. This journey through Macedonia and into Greece was not just about visiting churches; it was a critical part of his plan to gather a collection for the poor Christians in Jerusalem, a task he'd previously worked on in Corinth. His travels at this point were marked by both outward opposition and inner anxieties, yet he was often comforted by news of the churches' progress and God's faithfulness.
Why did Paul spend so much time 'encouraging' believers before moving on? What does it mean to offer 'much encouragement'?
Paul's ministry wasn't just about spreading the good news; it was deeply about strengthening the believers he met.
Building Up the Body
When Paul went through regions and
Paul's journey wasn't smooth. The text hints at 'much stir and opposition.' How did he prepare believers for this?
The 'much encouragement' Paul offered wasn't just positive affirmations; it was also about preparing believers for the challenges ahead.
The Cross and Persecution
Following Jesus often means facing difficulties. The early church experienced 'much stir and opposition,' as the commentary notes. Paul's exhortations likely included reminding them of Jesus' words about the cost of discipleship and the blessings promised to those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. This spiritual strengthening was crucial for their perseverance.
Wisdom in Travel
Paul's own experiences, like the 'outward fightings and inward fears' mentioned in 2 Corinthians, show the reality of these struggles. Yet, he learned to navigate them with both divine comfort and strategic planning. His decision to take a different route to avoid plots against him (as seen in the context of Acts 20:3) shows a balance between faith and practical wisdom.
Ask a follow-up
When Luke says Paul 'came to Greece,' what does that really mean for his mission and the spread of the gospel?
Paul's movement into 'Greece' (often referring to the Roman province of Achaia) was a strategic step in his expansive missionary work.
Reaching Key Centers
This journey brought Paul to significant cities like Corinth and Cenchreæ. These were vital hubs for evangelism and church planting within the Roman Empire. The goal was to carry the gospel message to the heart of the Greek-speaking world.
A Wider Vision
The commentary suggests Paul's activity extended even beyond Achaia, possibly to Illyricum. This demonstrates a relentless drive to preach the gospel where Christ had not yet been named. His eventual desire to reach Rome and even Spain (Romans 15:24-28) underscores a grand, divinely-inspired vision for global outreach.
Jerusalem Remains a Focus
Even as Paul pushed westward, his attention was still fixed on Jerusalem. The collection for the poor saints there (mentioned in the context of 2 Corinthians) was a crucial part of his mission. This effort aimed to foster unity between Jewish and Gentile believers and demonstrate the generosity of the Gentile churches.
Understand the original words
epiboulē · Greek Noun
A planned scheme or conspiracy, usually with malicious intent to harm or obstruct God's servants or His work.
Ioudaios · Greek Noun/Adjective
A religious/ethnic designation referring to the covenant people of God, often used in Acts to identify those who opposed the apostolic message.
anagomai · Greek Verb
The act of moving by water, signifying the journeying of missionaries to spread the gospel across geographic boundaries.
The journey described in Acts 20:2 is part of Paul's larger, strategic mission across the Roman provinces of Macedonia and Achaia, aimed at strengthening churches and gathering funds for the Jerusalem community before his final voyage to Jerusalem.
c. AD 53-57
Paul's Third Missionary Journey
This period covers the bulk of Paul's extensive travels through Asia Minor and Greece, establishing and strengthening churches. Acts 20:2 falls within this significant missionary phase.
c. AD 55-56
Writing of 2 Corinthians
During his time in Macedonia, Paul wrote his Second Epistle to the Corinthians. This letter addresses ongoing issues in the Corinthian church and discusses the collection for the Jerusalem church, relevant to his travels described in Acts.
c. AD 56
Paul travels through Macedonia
The text indicates Paul spent time in Macedonia, visiting churches he had previously founded, offering encouragement and receiving updates, including news from Corinth via Titus.
c. AD 56— this verse
Paul arrives in Greece (Achaia)
Paul enters the region of Achaia, which included Corinth. He likely visited Corinth and Cenchreæ, strengthening the believers there.
c. AD 56-57
Paul spends three months in Corinth
During his stay in Greece, Paul spent a considerable time in Corinth, planning his journey back to Jerusalem and dealing with local church matters and potential opposition.
c. AD 57
Voyage to Jerusalem begins
After his time in Greece, Paul embarks on the final leg of this journey toward Jerusalem, intending to deliver the collection for the poor believers there.
This passage describes Paul's intense anxiety and distress during his time in Macedonia, directly before coming into Greece, highlighting the difficult circumstances that often accompanied his ministry.
Romans 15:19Paul mentions preaching the gospel as far as Illyricum, a region west of Macedonia and Greece, indicating the vast geographical scope of his missionary journeys during this period.
1 Corinthians 16:5This verse reveals Paul's intention to visit Corinth (in Greece) after passing through Macedonia, aligning with the journey described in Acts 20:2 and showing his planned itinerary.
Acts 19:21This earlier verse states Paul's resolve to go to Jerusalem by way of Macedonia and Achaia (Greece), directly preceding his actions in Acts 20:2 and showing his long-term missionary goals.
Matthew 5:10The scholars mention comforting those facing persecution, a theme relevant to the 'much encouragement' Paul gave. This Beatitude speaks to the blessings promised to those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, a reality for early believers.
pooleActs 20:2: "And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,"
Much exhortation; which after so great a stir and opposition against them, the disciples could not but stand in great need of, that they might not be offended at the cross of Christ: and also mingling consolations with his exhortations, as the word indifferently signifies, as the case would well bear, there being a special blessing promised unto such as are persecuted for righteousness’…
bensonActs 20:2: "And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,"
Acts 20:2 . And when he had gone over those parts — Zealously pursuing everywhere the work in which he was engaged; and had given much exhortation — To the Christians whom he found there, or had exhorted them with much discourse; he came into Greece — That part of it which lay between Macedonia and Achaia. In going through Macedonia, the apostle had those outward fightings and inward fe…
Paul didn't just visit churches; he "gone over those parts" with "much exhortation," which implies a deep, thorough engagement, not just a quick stop. This wasn't merely encouragement, but a significant investment of his time and words to strengthen believers facing opposition.
After concluding his ministry in the regions of Asia, Paul spent time strengthening the believers he'd encountered with extensive teaching and encouragement. This journey through Macedonia and into Greece was not just about visiting churches; it was a critical part of his plan to gather a collection for the poor Christians in Jerusalem, a task he'd previously worked on in Corinth. His travels at this point were marked by both outward opposition and inner anxieties, yet he was often comforted by news of the churches' progress and God's faithfulness.
After concluding his ministry in the regions of Asia, Paul spent time strengthening the believers he'd encountered with extensive teaching and encouragement. This journey through Macedonia and into Greece was not just about visiting churches; it was a critical part of his plan to gather a collection for the poor Christians in Jerusalem, a task he'd previously worked on in Corinth. His travels at this point were marked by both outward opposition and inner anxieties, yet he was often comforted by news of the churches' progress and God's faithfulness.
"When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return thro…" — Paul didn't just visit churches; he "gone over those parts" with "much exhortation," which implies a deep, thorough engagement, not just a quick stop. This wasn't merely encouragement, but a signific…
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Last reviewed October 2026
