Acts 19:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

NIV: He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.

NASB: And after he sent into Macedonia two of those who assisted him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

CSB: After sending to Macedonia two of those who assisted him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

NLT: He sent his two assistants, Timothy and Erastus, ahead to Macedonia while he stayed awhile longer in the province of Asia.

KJV: So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

NKJV: So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.

This is the first time we hear that Paul had anyone accompanying him during his third missionary voyage. This is also the first we hear of Erastus. In Romans 16:23, which Paul writes from Ephesus, Paul calls him "the city treasurer"; if this is the same man, it's interesting he is at liberty to travel to Macedonia for Paul.

Paul spends about three years in Ephesus (Acts 20:31). He doesn't travel too much around the province of Asia, in southwest modern-day Turkey, because Epaphras started the churches in Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (Colossians 1:7–8; 2:1; 4:12–14). He is making plans to sail west to Corinth, then north through Macedonia. Unfortunately, he hears troubling news about the church in Corinth. It's possible this news is about the church splitting up and following different leaders, combined with a church member living in blatant sin (1 Corinthians 1:10–17; 3:1–23; 5:1–8). We're not sure, however, because Paul apparently wrote four letters to Corinth; only the second and fourth are part of preserved Scripture.

Whatever the problem, Paul writes a very strongly worded letter to Corinth and sends it with Titus (2 Corinthians 7:6–7, 13). Titus is barely out of sight before Paul regrets his decision (2 Corinthians 7:8–9). Soon, a near-riot will convince him to leave Ephesus (Acts 19:23—20:1). He decides to go to Macedonia first, so he travels north to the port of Troas and sails to Philippi. When Titus doesn't meet him in Troas, Paul is nearly overcome with anxiety (2 Corinthians 2:12–13). He finally finds Titus in Macedonia and learns the good news that the Corinthians have humbly repented (2 Corinthians 7:5–9). He goes south to Corinth where he stays three months before he's forced to backtrack through Macedonia and Troas (Acts 20:2–6).

Acts 19:21–22 is a short break in the middle of Paul's ministry in Ephesus. We have learned that a great many who practice witchcraft realize Paul, by the Holy Spirit, has real power, and have come to trust in Jesus (Acts 19:11–20). Now, Paul prepares to leave Ephesus, sending Timothy and Erastus ahead of him to Macedonia. Next, a riot started by idol craftsmen will provide the final impetus to convince Paul to move on (Acts 19:23—20:1).

Acts 19 recounts Paul's three-year visit in Ephesus. He starts by revealing how Jesus of Nazareth has brought to life the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit validates Paul's message by healing those struck with physical ailments and demon possession. Amazed by Paul's authority over evil spirits, so many magicians turn to Christ that the craftsmen who make idols fear for their livelihoods. They nearly incite a riot before the town clerk settles them down. Paul realizes his time in Ephesus has ended, and he travels to Macedonia (Acts 20:1).

Acts 19 is the meat of Paul's third missionary voyage. He has already revisited the churches in central modern-day Turkey (Acts 18:23). Now he returns to Ephesus for a three-year stay. After firmly establishing the church there, rescuing many from pagan magic and the worship of Artemis, he returns to Macedonia and Greece. A threat on his life sends him back up to Macedonia and across to Troas. He meets briefly with the Ephesian elders to tell them they will not meet again (Acts 20). When he returns to Jerusalem, he is arrested and, eventually, taken to Rome.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.