Acts 20:4 kjv
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.
Acts 20:4 nkjv
And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia?also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
Acts 20:4 niv
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.
Acts 20:4 esv
Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.
Acts 20:4 nlt
Several men were traveling with him. They were Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica; Gaius from Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
Acts 20 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 19:22 | While Paul is in Ephesus, he sends Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, but he stays a while longer. | Precedes Paul's departure from Ephesus |
| Acts 20:2 | Paul addresses the believers and departs for Macedonia after encouraging them. | Beginning of the journey |
| Acts 20:3 | Paul spends three months in Greece, avoiding a plot against him. | Paul's travel route |
| Acts 20:5 | The group travels ahead of Paul to Troas. | Journey details |
| Romans 16:5 | Greet Epenetus, my beloved, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. | Early work in Asia |
| 1 Corinthians 16:19 | The churches in Asia send greetings to the Corinthian church through Aquila and Priscilla. | Asian churches' involvement |
| 2 Timothy 1:15 | Paul mentions those in Asia who have deserted him. | Acknowledging presence in Asia |
| Revelation 1-3 | Letters to the seven churches in Asia, showing the region's importance. | Significant area for the church |
| Acts 2:9 | On the day of Pentecost, devout Jews from every nation under heaven are present, including from Asia. | Diverse presence in Jerusalem |
| Galatians 2:7-9 | Paul is recognized as an apostle to the Gentiles, with Peter to the Jews, and James, Cephas, and John to the circumcision, giving the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcision. | Mentions specific regions of ministry |
| Philippians 4:15 | The believers in Philippi supported Paul's ministry in Thessalonica. | Missionary support |
| 2 Corinthians 1:19 | God's Son, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not “yes” and “no,” but in him is “yes.” | Companions in ministry |
| Acts 18:24-28 | Apollos, a gifted Alexandrian, preaches in Ephesus, powerfully refuting the Jews in public. | Ministry in Asia before Paul |
| Acts 19:1 | Paul arrives in Ephesus and begins his ministry. | Paul's main base in Asia |
| Ephesians 3:1 | Paul refers to himself as a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of the Gentiles. | Paul's apostleship |
| Colossians 1:25 | Paul was made a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to him for the church. | Paul's appointed ministry |
| 1 Timothy 4:14 | Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. | Ordination of ministers |
| Titus 1:5 | Paul instructed Titus to appoint elders in every town. | Organization of churches |
| 1 Peter 5:13 | Peter sends greetings from Mark, whom he calls his son, possibly from Babylon or Rome. | Disciples' locations |
| Jude 1:1 | Jude identifies himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James. | Mention of relationship |
Acts 20 verses
Acts 20 4 Meaning
This verse describes the companions accompanying Paul on his journey, specifically mentioning those from Asia who joined him. It highlights the missionary team's composition and the geographical spread of those involved in spreading the Gospel. The "Asian" companions likely represent believers from the Roman province of Asia Minor, a significant center for early Christianity.
Acts 20 4 Context
The chapter depicts Paul's final journey through Macedonia and Greece, culminating in his return towards Jerusalem. This verse occurs as Paul is leaving Ephesus, a city where he spent a significant amount of time establishing a strong Christian community. He is preparing to move on, but not without gathering his team. The mention of Asian companions signifies the network of believers that had grown under Paul's ministry and the collaboration among them for the furtherance of the Gospel. This segment of Acts is marked by farewells and preparations for future ministry, underscored by a strong reliance on fellow laborers in Christ.
Acts 20 4 Word analysis
- Σοῦ -- Sou: "Of you," a possessive pronoun, but here it indicates the source or origin of the accompanying individuals, meaning "from you" or "with you." It's a humble acknowledgment of the body from which these companions were drawn.
- ἔθνη -- Ethnē: Typically translated as "nations" or "Gentiles," referring here to the various ethnic groups and people comprising the Roman Empire and beyond.
- Βερμαῖος -- Bermaios: "Berea." This is a place name, specifically referring to a city in Macedonia, known for its receptive audience to Paul's preaching (Acts 17:10-14).
- Σαługa -- Saluga: "Saluga," another name from Macedonia. The specific significance of this name or individual is not further detailed in Scripture, emphasizing that even lesser-known individuals were part of God's work.
- ἀπὸ -- apo: A preposition meaning "from." It signifies origin or separation, indicating these individuals were associated with or sent from these locations.
- Ἀσίας -- Asias: "Asia." Refers to the Roman province of Asia Minor, a major geographical and cultural hub in the early church, particularly around Ephesus.
- συνοδοιπόρων -- synodiporōn: A compound word.
- σύν (syn): "with," "together."
- ὁδοιπόρος (hōdiporos): "traveler," "fellow traveler."
- Thus, "fellow travelers," indicating companions on the journey. It implies a shared purpose and experience of travel in ministry.
Word-group analysis:
- "So, finding companions from these various places who were fellow travelers": This phrase emphasizes that Paul was not alone in his ministry. He had a team of fellow workers, drawn from different backgrounds and geographical locations, united by their shared mission and journeying together in faith. The composition of this group highlights the diverse yet unified nature of the early Christian movement.
Acts 20 4 Bonus section
The practice of missionaries traveling with companions was common in the early church, mirroring the model of the apostles who were sent out in pairs (e.g., Mark 6:7). These companions often served crucial roles, not only in support and encouragement but also in carrying messages, managing logistics, and strengthening local churches. The diversity of these individuals from different regions speaks to the universality of the Gospel message, which transcended ethnic and geographical boundaries. It’s a testament to how God builds His church through ordinary believers committed to His service, demonstrating unity in diversity for a common purpose.
Acts 20 4 Commentary
The presence of these named companions from Macedonia and Asia signifies that Paul's ministry was a collaborative effort. These individuals were not merely followers but active participants in the spread of the Gospel. Their presence underscores the Pauline mission's extensive reach, encompassing significant geographical and cultural regions. The fact that Paul would be accompanied by "Asian" brethren, including Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus, illustrates a cohesive body of believers actively supporting the apostolic work. It reflects the interconnectedness of the early churches and the importance of fellowship and mutual encouragement in facing the challenges of evangelism.