The Acts of the Apostles - Part 3

Read chapter 20 and then answer the questions.

In the first verses of the chapter, we read about how Paul travels from Ephesus in Asia Minor to Macedonia, the northern part of Greece.

After he has traversed this area and exhorted (encouraged) the believers there with many words, he goes to Achaia, the southern part of Greece, where he stays for three months.

When Paul subsequently plans to depart for Syria, this is prevented by an attack of the Jews. Nothing more is told to us about this attack. The apostle then changes his plans and returns through Macedonia.

Which seven men are traveling with Paul and where are they coming from?

Why "we" and "they"?

Have you noticed that in the descriptions of the missionary journeys, both "they" (3rd person plural) and "we" (1st person plural) are used? When Paul and his companions came to Troas on the second missionary journey, Luke began writing in the first person for the first time. A Macedonian man asked Paul in a dream, "Pass over into Macedonia and help us!" and the story continues with the words:

And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go forth to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to announce to them the glad tidings. (Acts 16:10)

Luke does not mention his own name. In humility, he "stays completely in the background". The switch from "they" to "we" is probably the most modest way to introduce oneself. But this makes clear that Luke joined Paul's companions in Troas and went with them to Philippi. At the end of chapter 16, Philippi is left, and the journey continues. Now there is the reverse switch from "we" to "they":

And having journeyed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was the synagogue of the Jews. (Acts 17:1)

Therefore, Luke was no longer there. Did he stay in Philippi and live there for a longer time?

During the third missionary journey, Paul visits Philippi again. Subsequently, he continues his journey and suddenly the narrative returns to the "we-form":

These going before waited for us in Troas; but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and we came to them to Troas in five days, where we spent seven days. (Acts 20:5-6)

Thus, it can be assumed that in addition to the seven mentioned brothers, Luke also accompanied the apostle on the further journey, even if he is not mentioned by name.

When Paul departed from Corinth, he carried the proceeds of the large collection for Jerusalem.

Therefore, he considered it necessary to continue his journey to Jerusalem, accompanied by several companions (Acts 20:4-5).

What do we read about collections in 1 Corinthians 16:2?