Acts 20:3-5
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. Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Paul didn't just change his travel plans; he conceived a new intention when faced with danger, wisely choosing not to tempt God by sailing directly into a known ambush. This highlights that while faith calls us forward, it also calls us to be discerning and to use the wisdom God gives us to avoid unnecessary peril.
Paul had spent three months in Greece, likely Corinth, during which he collected funds for believers in Jerusalem and potentially wrote his letter to the Romans. As he prepared to sail for Syria, en route to Jerusalem, hostile Jews plotted to ambush him, either to steal the money or take his life. To thwart their treachery and avoid unnecessary danger, Paul wisely changed his plans and decided to travel back through Macedonia instead.
When danger lurks, is the bravest thing to stand firm or to change course? Paul faced a deadly plot, and his response wasn't reckless bravery, but wise redirection.
Paul's decision to return through Macedonia instead of sailing directly to Syria wasn't a sign of fear, but a demonstration of strategic wisdom.
Not Tempting God
A Different Path
Paul wasn't alone in his ministry or his dangers. This verse hints at the crucial support system that bolstered him, even when facing deadly opposition.
While the verse focuses on Paul's decision, the surrounding context reveals a network of believers and specific relationships that provided strength and information.
The Weight of Collections
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.
c. AD 52-55— this verse
Paul's Extended Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spent a significant period, around three months, ministering in Greece, primarily in Corinth. During this time, he collected funds for the suffering believers in Jerusalem and wrote his Epistle to the Romans.
c. AD 55
Jewish Opposition Intensifies
During Paul's stay in Greece, hostile Jewish factions learned of his plans to sail to Syria and subsequently Jerusalem. They plotted to ambush him, likely to harm him or steal the collection for the Jerusalem church.
c. AD 55
Paul Alters Travel Plans
Forewarned of the plot against him, Paul wisely decided to change his route. Instead of sailing directly to Syria from Greece, he chose to travel back through Macedonia to avoid the danger.
c. AD 55
Journey to Jerusalem Continues
After his detour through Macedonia, Paul eventually continued his journey towards Jerusalem, accompanied by several companions, as detailed in the subsequent verses of Acts 20.
This passage describes Paul's many dangers from his own people, paralleling the specific plot against him in Acts 20:3 and highlighting the constant threats he faced.
Romans 15:25-27This passage shows Paul's intention to go to Jerusalem with the collection from the Gentile churches, a journey that was being jeopardized by the plot mentioned in Acts 20:3.
Acts 23:12-15This passage records a similar organized plot by the Jews to kill Paul, demonstrating a pattern of determined opposition and assassination attempts against him.
Galatians 5:11Paul mentions being persecuted for preaching the cross, which helps explain the intense hatred from the Jews described in Acts 20:3, who likely saw his ministry as a threat to their traditions.
Philippians 4:7This verse speaks of the peace of God guarding hearts and minds, a peace that would have sustained Paul as he prudently changed his travel plans to avoid mortal danger from the plotters in Acts 20:3.
pooleActs 20:3: "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."
The Jews laid wait for him; some have thought that their laying in wait might be to rob him of the collections which he carried with him for the saints at Jerusalem; but most likely it was rather to take away his life, whom they hated for his zeal and diligence in the gospel. He purposed to return; slunning their treachery and plotting agai…
bensonActs 20:3: "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 20:3 . And there — Namely, in Greece; he abode three months — Meeting, it seems, with business there as he often did in other places, which detained him longer than he expected. During this time, he received from the churches of Achaia the money which they had collected for the saints in Judea, agreeably to his direction to the Corinth…
Paul didn't just change his travel plans; he conceived a new intention when faced with danger, wisely choosing not to tempt God by sailing directly into a known ambush. This highlights that while faith calls us forward, it also calls us to be discerning and to use the wisdom God gives us to avoid unnecessary peril.
Paul had spent three months in Greece, likely Corinth, during which he collected funds for believers in Jerusalem and potentially wrote his letter to the Romans. As he prepared to sail for Syria, en route to Jerusalem, hostile Jews plotted to ambush him, either to steal the money or take his life. To thwart their treachery and avoid unnecessary danger, Paul wisely changed his plans and decided to travel back through Macedonia instead.
Paul had spent three months in Greece, likely Corinth, during which he collected funds for believers in Jerusalem and potentially wrote his letter to the Romans. As he prepared to sail for Syria, en route to Jerusalem, hostile Jews plotted to ambush him, either to steal the money or take his life. To thwart their treachery and avoid unnecessary danger, Paul wisely changed his plans and decided to travel back through Macedonia instead.
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Companions on the Road
"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. Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Ari…" — Paul didn't just change his travel plans; he conceived a new intention when faced with danger, wisely choosing not to tempt God by sailing directly into a known ambush. This highlights that while f…
