This verse demonstrates that God unites diverse people to spread His message as they faithfully serve together.
Luke writes, “And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia” (v.4). These names represent faithful believers who joined Paul in his travels, highlighting the commitment of early Christians to share the gospel in unity and fellowship. The verse lists individuals from different regions—Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, and the province of Asia—underscoring how the message of Jesus Christ was uniting diverse communities. Berea was a city in Macedonia in northern Greece, known earlier from Acts 17:10-12 for receiving Paul’s preaching with diligence. Including Sopater “of Berea” signifies both his hometown pride and his dedication to furthering Paul’s ministry.
Each companion in “And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea...and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia” (v.4) has his own important role. Timothy stands out in the New Testament as one of Paul’s closest protégés (Acts 16:1-3), faithfully serving from roughly the early 50s AD until Paul’s final years in the mid-60s AD. Aristarchus, originally from Thessalonica, faced hardships alongside Paul (Colossians 4:10). Tychicus and Trophimus are labeled as being from Asia, an area corresponding roughly to the western part of modern-day Turkey, further reflecting the far-reaching influence of the early church. These individuals bridged cultural gaps, becoming powerful symbols of cooperation and perseverance in the cause of Christ.
The mention of their names in “...Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe...” (v.4) preserves their contributions in the Lord’s work. Gaius from Derbe (in south-central Asia Minor, also modern-day Turkey) shows how believers from smaller towns also took part in significant missionary enterprises. Secundus and Sopater, though mentioned briefly here, show that Paul’s ministry team included those well-regarded for their faith and devotion, providing a united front in the spread of the gospel message. These traveling companions demonstrate the shared burden of ministry, reflecting the unity Jesus prayed for among His followers (John 17:20-23).
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Acts 20:4 meaning
Luke writes, “And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia” (v.4). These names represent faithful believers who joined Paul in his travels, highlighting the commitment of early Christians to share the gospel in unity and fellowship. The verse lists individuals from different regions—Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, and the province of Asia—underscoring how the message of Jesus Christ was uniting diverse communities. Berea was a city in Macedonia in northern Greece, known earlier from Acts 17:10-12 for receiving Paul’s preaching with diligence. Including Sopater “of Berea” signifies both his hometown pride and his dedication to furthering Paul’s ministry.
Each companion in “And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea...and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia” (v.4) has his own important role. Timothy stands out in the New Testament as one of Paul’s closest protégés (Acts 16:1-3), faithfully serving from roughly the early 50s AD until Paul’s final years in the mid-60s AD. Aristarchus, originally from Thessalonica, faced hardships alongside Paul (Colossians 4:10). Tychicus and Trophimus are labeled as being from Asia, an area corresponding roughly to the western part of modern-day Turkey, further reflecting the far-reaching influence of the early church. These individuals bridged cultural gaps, becoming powerful symbols of cooperation and perseverance in the cause of Christ.
The mention of their names in “...Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe...” (v.4) preserves their contributions in the Lord’s work. Gaius from Derbe (in south-central Asia Minor, also modern-day Turkey) shows how believers from smaller towns also took part in significant missionary enterprises. Secundus and Sopater, though mentioned briefly here, show that Paul’s ministry team included those well-regarded for their faith and devotion, providing a united front in the spread of the gospel message. These traveling companions demonstrate the shared burden of ministry, reflecting the unity Jesus prayed for among His followers (John 17:20-23).