Acts 20 2

Acts 20:2 kjv

And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

Acts 20:2 nkjv

Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece

Acts 20:2 niv

He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece,

Acts 20:2 esv

When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece.

Acts 20:2 nlt

While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through. Then he traveled down to Greece,

Acts 20 verses

Acts 20 2 Meaning

Acts 20:2 describes Paul's pastoral journey immediately following his departure from Ephesus. It highlights his thorough and deliberate travel through the regions of Macedonia, where he meticulously visited various churches and believers. The core meaning emphasizes his deep commitment to "much encouragement," signifying extensive spiritual strengthening, teaching, exhortation, and comfort provided to the Christian communities he had previously established or nurtured. His ultimate destination mentioned in this verse is Greece, primarily referring to the Roman province of Achaia, with its capital, Corinth, indicating the continuity of his strategic ministry of fostering faith and unity among Gentile Christians.

Acts 20 2 Context

Acts 20:2 fits within the narrative of Paul's third missionary journey (approximately AD 53-57). Immediately prior to this verse, Paul has left Ephesus due to a riot stirred up by Demetrius the silversmith, which jeopardized the Christian mission there (Acts 19:23-41). Leaving Ephesus, Paul heads to Macedonia (Acts 20:1), spending a significant period there, strengthening the churches, including those in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea.

The geographical movement described in Acts 20:2 ("gone through those areas... came to Greece") signifies a crucial phase of Paul's ministry. His visits were not merely passing through, but purposeful engagements, demonstrating his ongoing pastoral care for the churches he had planted and discipled. His "encouragement" would have been particularly pertinent given the various challenges faced by the young Christian communities, ranging from external persecution and pagan influences to internal disunity and doctrinal errors (evident from Paul's letters to these churches, e.g., the Corinthian correspondence). This period also saw Paul gathering the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem, an initiative that linked Gentile churches to the Jewish roots of the faith, fostering unity. From Greece, Paul intended to travel to Jerusalem for Pentecost, eventually leading to his arrest.

Acts 20 2 Word analysis

• When he had gone through (Greek: διελθών - dielthōn): This participle, from dierchomai, means "having gone through thoroughly," "passing through a specified region or period," or "traveling through from end to end." It suggests a comprehensive and unhurried passage, indicating that Paul took his time and was meticulous in his ministry rather than simply hurrying past.
• those areas (Greek: τὰ μέρη ἐκεῖνα - ta merē ekeina): Referring to the regions of Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, as mentioned or implied in previous chapters and Paul's epistles). These were regions where Paul had spent significant time establishing churches, and now he returns to solidify their faith and organization.
• and had given them (implied: καὶ - kai "and"): Connects Paul's action of travel with his specific ministry focus in those regions.
• much encouragement (Greek: παρακαλέσας πολλοῖς λόγοις - parakalesas pollois logois):
  • παρακαλέσας (parakalesas): A participle from parakaleō, meaning "to call to one's side," "to appeal to," "to entreat," "to urge," "to exhort," "to comfort," or "to strengthen." It's a comprehensive term covering a broad range of pastoral activities aimed at supporting believers. This isn't just a brief greeting but a sustained effort of spiritual nurturing.
  • πολλοῖς λόγοις (pollois logois): Literally, "with many words" or "by means of many discourses/speeches." This indicates that Paul engaged in extensive teaching, preaching, admonition, and spiritual guidance. It wasn't a superficial interaction but a deep and sustained effort through verbal instruction and comfort, confirming truths and correcting errors.
• he came (Greek: ἦλθεν - ēlthen): Simple past tense, indicating a definitive arrival.
• to Greece (Greek: ἐπὶ τὴν Ἑλλάδα - epi tēn Hellada): Specifically refers to the Roman province of Achaia, of which Corinth was the capital. Paul spent approximately three months here (Acts 20:3). This signifies a deliberate strategic movement to a vital hub in the Roman Empire.

• "gone through those areas and had given them much encouragement": This phrase describes Paul's active and comprehensive pastoral ministry. It implies not merely physical traversal but spiritual labor in teaching and caring for the congregations he had founded or ministered to. The thoroughness of his "going through" is matched by the depth of his "much encouragement," showing a diligent shepherd investing significantly in the well-being of his flock through sustained and weighty instruction.
• "he came to Greece": This marks the culmination of the first leg of this specific part of Paul's journey. It sets the geographical stage for Paul's subsequent activities, particularly the continued organization of the collection for Jerusalem and likely the composition of some of his epistles, notably the Epistle to the Romans, written from Corinth during this visit. It signifies his strategic approach to spreading the Gospel and unifying believers across diverse regions.

Acts 20 2 Bonus section

The visit to Greece (specifically Corinth, implied by the general reference to Achaia) during this leg of Paul's journey is highly significant for the New Testament canon. It is widely believed by scholars that during the three months Paul spent in Greece (Acts 20:3), he wrote his Epistle to the Romans. This monumental theological work outlines the core doctrines of the Christian faith, including justification by faith, sanctification, and God's plan for Israel. The deep spiritual "encouragement" and "many words" he delivered to the Macedonian and Achaian churches, as described in Acts 20:2, reflect the same pastoral heart and profound theological depth that characterize his writings, particularly Romans. The period of "encouragement" likely included not just oral teaching but the systematic presentation of truths that would later form the basis of his written epistles.

Acts 20 2 Commentary

Acts 20:2 succinctly captures the essence of Paul's post-planting apostolic ministry: the tireless nurture and spiritual fortification of nascent Christian communities. Having established churches in Macedonia, he returns, not merely as a visitor, but as a shepherd diligently strengthening his flock. "Much encouragement" implies a comprehensive spiritual undertaking – extensive teaching to solidify doctrine, fervent exhortation to encourage perseverance through trials, and profound comfort to console the weary. This was vital for communities facing external pressures and internal struggles, ensuring their spiritual maturity and stability. His journey into Greece (Achaia, including Corinth) signals the continuity of his broader mission, where he further engaged with believers, fostering unity and contributing to the spiritual landscape of the Roman world, including completing the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, which underscored the interconnectedness of the early church.