Luke the beloved physician wrote how there was a large commotion in Ephesus over Demetrius the silversmith coming against the teachings of Paul, and “after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, 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”, and in chapter twenty and verse four of the book of Acts Luke shared about the men who, “accompanied” Paul where we read:
And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
The verse begins, “And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus;” Luke began with the words, “and there accompanied him” which means “and there followed with and attended to Paul” “into Asia” or “the proconsular Asia embracing Mysia, Lydia, Phrygia, and Caria, corresponding closely to Turkey today whose name means orient” “Sopater” whose name means “the savior of his father and was the son of Pyrhus of Berea, a companion of Paul” “of Berea” which means “who was a resident of Berea”; “and of the Thessalonians” or “and an inhabitant of Thessalonica” “Aristarchus” whose name means “the best ruler” and was “a certain Christian of Thessalonica who accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey” “and Secundus” whose name means “fortunate”. Luke shared how there were men who followed alongside “Paul” in his travels whose names were “Sopater, Aristarchus and Secundus”.
The verse continues, “and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.” Luke added the words, “and Gaius of Derbe” whose name means “lord” and was a man who was an inhabitant of Derbe who went with Paul from Corinth on his last journey to Jerusalem”, “and Timotheus” or “and Timothy whose name means honoring God and was a resident of Lystra, apparently, whose father was a Greek and mother a Jewess who was Paul's traveling companion and fellow laborer”; “and of Asia” which means “and belonging to the proconsular Asia embracing Mysia, Lydia, Phrygia, and Caria, corresponding closely to Turkey today whose name means orient”, “Tychicus” whose name means “fateful” and was “an Asiatic Christian, friend and companion of the apostle Paul” “and Trophimus” whose name means “nutritious” and was “an Ephesian Christian, and friend of the apostle Paul”. Luke shared how “Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus and Trophimus” also traveled with “Paul” at this time.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we discover there was a team of men who traveled with “Paul” on his missionary journey. This “third” journey caused “Paul” to gather to himself men whom he trusted from the different areas where he had ministered the gospel of Jesus Christ. God forgives every person who believes and trusts in His Son Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”, and when they yield to Him, not only will He provide them with everlasting life, but He will use them in His Kingdom to share His “good news” with others. These men “accompanied Paul” in his mission, and those who are wise either lead or join others in spreading the “gospel” of Jesus Christ throughout their world.
Next time Luke shared how, “these going before tarried for us at Troas”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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