Paul’s travels through Macedonia and into Greece illustrate his steadfast commitment to building up the faith of early believers wherever he went.
Luke narrates in Acts 20 that the Apostle Paul, who lived approximately from AD 5 to AD 67, was greatly devoted to encouraging the believers in the region. He writes, “When he had gone through those districts and had given them much exhortation, he came to Greece.” (v.2) This verse highlights Paul’s determination to strengthen and uplift the faith of the early Christians as he journeyed from Macedonia, the northern territory once ruled by Philip II and Alexander the Great, toward the southern parts of the Balkan Peninsula. His work involved teaching, comforting, and inspiring the believers, a process often spoken of in other letters where Paul reminds believers to support one another as followers of Jesus (Romans 12:10).
The historical setting places Paul in Macedonia, a region that had been under Roman rule since roughly 168 BC, eventually divided into administrative districts. These provinces formed part of Paul’s missionary routes, as he carried out the great commission to spread the message of Christ (Matthew 28:19). By traveling “through those districts,” Paul visited several communities, offering them “much exhortation.” Even though Luke’s account is brief, it captures Paul’s strategy of face-to-face contact with believers, emphasizing the importance of pastoral care, personal guidance, and communal instruction.
Lastly, the verse concludes with Paul arriving in Greece, where he would continue teaching and fellowshipping with the local congregations. Greece was known then as Achaia, including Corinth and Athens, places Paul had visited on prior journeys (Acts 18:1). By coming to Greece, he maintained his established pattern of proclaiming the gospel in prominent cultural and population centers, demonstrating that the Christian message was for all people, regardless of their social or ethnic background.
Set to dark mode
Acts 20:2 meaning
Luke narrates in Acts 20 that the Apostle Paul, who lived approximately from AD 5 to AD 67, was greatly devoted to encouraging the believers in the region. He writes, “When he had gone through those districts and had given them much exhortation, he came to Greece.” (v.2) This verse highlights Paul’s determination to strengthen and uplift the faith of the early Christians as he journeyed from Macedonia, the northern territory once ruled by Philip II and Alexander the Great, toward the southern parts of the Balkan Peninsula. His work involved teaching, comforting, and inspiring the believers, a process often spoken of in other letters where Paul reminds believers to support one another as followers of Jesus (Romans 12:10).
The historical setting places Paul in Macedonia, a region that had been under Roman rule since roughly 168 BC, eventually divided into administrative districts. These provinces formed part of Paul’s missionary routes, as he carried out the great commission to spread the message of Christ (Matthew 28:19). By traveling “through those districts,” Paul visited several communities, offering them “much exhortation.” Even though Luke’s account is brief, it captures Paul’s strategy of face-to-face contact with believers, emphasizing the importance of pastoral care, personal guidance, and communal instruction.
Lastly, the verse concludes with Paul arriving in Greece, where he would continue teaching and fellowshipping with the local congregations. Greece was known then as Achaia, including Corinth and Athens, places Paul had visited on prior journeys (Acts 18:1). By coming to Greece, he maintained his established pattern of proclaiming the gospel in prominent cultural and population centers, demonstrating that the Christian message was for all people, regardless of their social or ethnic background.