Acts 19 22

Acts 19:22 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.

Acts 19:22 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.

Acts 19:22 niv

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

Acts 19:22 esv

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

Acts 19:22 nlt

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

Acts 19 verses

Acts 19 22 Meaning

This verse details Paul's strategic delegation of two trusted associates, Timothy and Erastus, to the Roman province of Macedonia. This act preceded Paul's own eventual departure from Ephesus, where he had been ministering for an extended period in Asia. It indicates Paul's forward planning for his ministry route and highlights the integral role of co-workers in the spread of the Gospel.

Acts 19 22 Context

Acts 19:22 is situated within Paul's extensive third missionary journey, specifically during his prolonged stay of about three years in Ephesus, a major city in the Roman province of Asia. Chapters 19 opens with Paul arriving in Ephesus, teaching about the Holy Spirit to some disciples of John the Baptist, and later ministering powerfully through both teaching in the synagogue and later in the hall of Tyrannus for two years. His ministry caused such a significant impact that the Gospel spread throughout Asia, challenging traditional idolatry and magic, leading to a visible rejection of pagan practices (e.g., the burning of magic books, the uproar by Demetrius and the silversmiths). Verse 22 acts as a bridge, outlining Paul's forward strategy for his impending departure from Ephesus and visit to Macedonia, Greece, and eventually Jerusalem and Rome (Acts 19:21). The dispatch of Timothy and Erastus was likely a preparatory step for Paul's planned journey, potentially related to organizing the collection for the saints in Jerusalem or strengthening the churches in Macedonia and Achaia.

Acts 19 22 Word analysis

• And having sent (καὶ ἀποστείλας - kai aposteilas):
  • ἀποστείλας (aposteilas): Aorist active participle of ἀποστέλλω (apostellō), meaning "to send off, dispatch, send forth." This verb is cognate with "apostle" (ἀπόστολος - apostolos, "one sent"). It signifies a purposeful and authorized sending, often with a specific mission or commission. It indicates Paul's intentional, authoritative act of delegation, demonstrating his strategic planning.
• into Macedonia (εἰς Μακεδονίαν - eis Makedonian):
  • Μακεδονίαν (Makedonian): The Roman province where Paul had established significant churches (e.g., Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea) during his previous journeys. Sending ahead workers indicates continued pastoral care, strengthening the churches, and possibly preparation for Paul's arrival, including the collection for Jerusalem.
• two of those who ministered to him (δύο τῶν διακονούντων αὐτῷ - duo tōn diakonountōn autō):
  • δύο (duo): "two," specifying the number of emissaries.
  • διακονούντων (diakonountōn): Present active participle, genitive plural of διακονέω (diakoneō), "to serve, minister, attend to, perform service." This term is the root of "deacon." It describes their ongoing role as Paul's assistants and fellow-workers in ministry, highlighting their active engagement in serving Christ and the church under Paul's direction. It underscores the collaborative nature of early Christian missions.
• Timothy and Erastus (Τιμόθεον καὶ Ἔραστον - Timotheon kai Eraston):
  • Τιμόθεον (Timotheon): Timothy, Paul's most trusted and consistent younger associate. His inclusion underscores the importance of the mission. Paul often sent Timothy to represent him and build up churches, showcasing Timothy's proven faithfulness and capability (Phil 2:19-23; 1 Cor 4:17).
  • Ἔραστον (Eraston): Erastus is mentioned elsewhere in connection with Corinth (Rom 16:23 identifies him as the city's treasurer; 2 Tim 4:20 notes he "remained at Corinth"). His presence here suggests he was part of Paul's inner circle during the Ephesus stay. His public role in Corinth makes him a significant figure.
• he himself stayed (αὐτὸς δὲ ἔμεινεν - autos de emeinon):
  • αὐτὸς (autos): Emphatic pronoun, "he himself." This stresses that Paul made the conscious decision to remain behind while sending others ahead. It distinguishes his action from that of his associates.
  • ἔμεινεν (emeinen): Aorist active indicative of μένω (menō), "to remain, stay, abide." It signifies a deliberate decision to prolong his presence.
• in Asia (ἐν τῇ Ἀσίᾳ - en tē Asia):
  • Ἀσίᾳ (Asia): The Roman province of Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital and the center of Paul's ministry during this period (Acts 19:10). His stay indicated unfinished business or consolidation of work.
• for a while (ἐπὶ χρόνον - epi khronon):
  • χρόνον (khronon): "Time, a period of time." The phrase "for a while" signifies a continued but not indefinite period. Paul intended to follow them later, making his continued stay in Ephesus a strategic delay for a specific purpose before moving on to Macedonia as planned.

• Word-Group Analysis:
  • "And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus": This phrase details Paul's deliberate delegation. It highlights the structured, organized nature of apostolic missions. Paul's reliance on and trust in his co-workers demonstrates his leadership style, focusing on training and empowering others to share the burden of ministry. This strategic foresight also emphasizes the pre-planning necessary for the expansive evangelism. The names specifically identify faithful individuals within Paul's itinerant team, proving that Paul did not operate alone.
  • "he himself stayed in Asia for a while": This contrasts Paul's actions with his companions' and provides insight into his rationale. His stay suggests either ongoing ministry in Ephesus, writing letters (e.g., 1 Corinthians might have been finalized here), waiting for specific circumstances, or dealing with internal church matters before the planned move to Greece. "For a while" implies a specific duration, serving a purpose rather than an aimless delay. This demonstrates Paul's discerning stewardship of his time and ministry resources, indicating that the strategic decision for his companions to go ahead was beneficial for the overall mission.

Acts 19 22 Bonus section

Paul's sending of Timothy and Erastus can be seen as a logistical masterpiece, paving the way for smooth transitions and effective continued ministry. The selection of these two individuals indicates that Paul was careful in choosing those he sent. Timothy represented the younger, more impressionable convert Paul had discipled, highlighting Paul's investment in mentoring future leaders. Erastus, if the same as the city treasurer in Corinth, showcases the diverse social backgrounds of individuals drawn to Christ and participating in ministry; his administrative background might have been invaluable in organizing affairs for Paul's arrival or for the collection. This delegation reflects Paul's understanding that leadership in the rapidly expanding church involved empowering others, allowing the message to spread more broadly and deeply than one person could manage alone. The timing, just before the significant uproar by Demetrius and the silversmiths (Acts 19:23ff), might suggest that Paul knew a confrontational period was approaching and desired his key workers to be in safer or more advantageous positions elsewhere, or perhaps their departure was part of his strategic plan independent of the upcoming conflict.

Acts 19 22 Commentary

Acts 19:22 succinctly describes Paul's strategic division of labor during his extensive stay in Ephesus. Having spent three impactful years evangelizing and establishing the church there, he began preparing for his departure as outlined in the preceding verse. His decision to send Timothy and Erastus ahead to Macedonia was not a sign of retreat, but of proactive mission planning. This highlights Paul's characteristic approach of delegation, entrusting key figures with preparatory tasks—whether it was strengthening churches, delivering messages, or facilitating financial collections (likely for Jerusalem saints) ahead of his own arrival. Timothy's consistent presence in such pivotal roles underscores his reliability and Paul's profound trust in him as a genuine extension of his ministry. Erastus, perhaps less known but seemingly significant, also points to the diversity of gifts and roles within Paul's team. Paul's own continued presence in Asia for "a while" signifies a commitment to solidify the spiritual gains in Ephesus, possibly finishing a critical work or addressing the severe opposition detailed later in the chapter, ensuring a firm foundation before he personally moved on to the next phase of his journey towards Jerusalem and ultimately, Rome. This verse, therefore, portrays Paul as a wise, strategic leader who cultivated and utilized a team, understanding that the widespread dissemination of the Gospel required organized effort and effective delegation.