Hard Pressed, Still Strong

Acts 20:2-3 Paul traveled through Macedonia, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3 where he stayed three months.
 
PAUL has been in Ephesus nearly three years. Riots and accusations force him to restart his itinerant ministry to several places in Asia Minor, Macedonia and Greece. Philippi was in Macedonia, so we can assume he spent some time in the church that was so helpful to support his ministry. He traveled further north into Illyricum, home to modern-day Yugoslavia. Paul wrote of this in Romans 15:19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. Paul met Titus in Macedonia, and he wrote 2 Corinthians there. His three months in Greece was more specifically a return to Corinth. This is where and when he wrote his epistle to the Romans.
   It is difficult to grasp the spiritual, physical and emotional demands on Paul’s mind, soul and body as he traveled and ministered under primitive conditions. It would also have been a very great strain to continually confront threats against his life.
 
Acts 20:3b Because the Jews made a plot against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.
 
Thankfully Paul became aware of a plot to kill him while at sea and dispose his body.
 
Acts 20:4-6 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
 
The seven men Luke names here, including Timothy, who has been Paul’s faithful partner, represent seven churches that have collected an offering for Jerusalem’s impoverished Gentile church members. Paul and Barnabas had earlier delivered an offering to Jerusalem. But the need continued. In 2 Corinthians 8:1-21 Paul praised the church for past offerings and encouraged them to continue. Paul then traveled with the seven (plus Luke has rejoined Paul), to meet them in Troas. The offering with seven different men helped protect it from robbers. And it served as accountability for these funds to be properly used. Paul’s opponents created many lies against him. He wanted to remain above reproach regarding all matters. This is a good lesson for all of us entrusted with others’ money for God’s use.
   Life’s pressures come from many directions. Paul learned he could remain faithful and hopeful in all matters: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. (2 Corinthians 4:8)