Acts 20 4

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 verses

Acts 20 4 Meaning

Acts 20:4 lists the individuals who accompanied the Apostle Paul on a significant leg of his journey back to Jerusalem, following his third missionary tour. This verse highlights the diverse and multi-regional group of co-workers who served alongside Paul, demonstrating a unified effort in the early Christian mission. These companions represented various churches, likely acting as delegates for the collection intended for the struggling believers in Jerusalem and serving as witnesses to Paul's work and message.

Acts 20 4 Context

Acts chapter 20 describes a pivotal period in Paul's ministry: his return journey from Greece through Macedonia and Asia Minor, heading towards Jerusalem. This leg of his journey marks the conclusion of his third missionary tour, and it is framed by a profound sense of urgency and foreboding. Paul senses impending persecution and hardship in Jerusalem (Acts 20:22-23). The meeting in Troas (Acts 20:7-12) includes the raising of Eutychus, demonstrating Paul's apostolic authority even on this farewell tour. The listing of companions in Acts 20:4 serves to establish the presence of official delegates and witnesses who accompany Paul, particularly significant because part of this journey involves transporting a financial collection from Gentile churches to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem (Rom 15:25-27, 1 Cor 16:3-4, 2 Cor 8:16-24). Their presence legitimizes the collection, ensuring transparency and communal representation, while also offering support and companionship to Paul as he anticipates difficult times. Historically, Roman roads and sea routes were bustling but also fraught with dangers, making travel in groups prudent for safety and fellowship.

Acts 20 4 Word analysis

• And he was accompanied by (συνείπετο δέ, syneipeto de): The Greek verb syneipeto means "to follow with," "to attend along with." It signifies shared journey and close association. This emphasizes that Paul was not alone, highlighting the communal aspect of early Christian ministry and the collaborative nature of his mission. The plural form implies these individuals journeyed together as a single group.
• Sopater (Σώπατρος, Sṓpatros): Meaning "father of salvation" or "savior of his father." A rare name, suggesting he may have been less prominent than others but an important local leader.
• of Berea (Βεροιεύς, Beroieús): Identifies his origin. Berea was a city in Macedonia known for its open-minded Jewish community who eagerly examined the Scriptures (Acts 17:10-12). Sopater likely represents the Berean church and its strong embrace of the Gospel.
• son of Pyrrhus (Πύρρου, Pyrrhou): Uniquely identified by his father, suggesting Pyrrhus may have been a known figure in Berea, possibly a respected community leader or early believer. This specific detail provides familial context rarely offered for Paul's other companions.
• and by Aristarchus (Ἀρίσταρχος, Aristarchos): Meaning "best ruler." A faithful companion of Paul who also traveled with him to Rome (Acts 27:2) and was called Paul's "fellow prisoner" (Col 4:10; Philem 1:24). His presence signifies loyalty and commitment.
• and Secundus (Σεκοῦνδος, Sekoûndos): A common Latin name meaning "second." Like Sopater, he is only mentioned here, perhaps signifying his primary role as a delegate for the collection rather than a consistent long-term traveling evangelist.
• of Thessalonica (Θεσσαλονικέων, Thessalonikéōn): Both Aristarchus and Secundus hail from this important Macedonian city, where Paul had a significant ministry, establishing one of the earliest Gentile churches in Europe (Acts 17:1-9). Their representation strengthens the connection with the Macedonian churches, key contributors to the collection for Jerusalem.
• and Gaius (Γάϊος, Gáïos): A common Roman name. The New Testament mentions several Gaiuses. This Gaius is distinct from the Corinthian one (Rom 16:23, 1 Cor 1:14) and the host of John (3 Jn 1:1).
• of Derbe (Δερβαῖος, Derbaîos): Derbe was a city in Lycaonia (south Galatia) where Paul established a church early in his first missionary journey (Acts 14:6-7, 20-21). Gaius represents a key city in Paul's earliest mission efforts.
• and Timothy (Τιμόθεος, Timótheos): Meaning "honoring God." Paul's most well-known and devoted companion, his "true child in the faith" (1 Tim 1:2). Timothy was from Lystra, near Derbe, but is identified here by name alone, suggesting his widespread recognition and importance as Paul's consistent co-worker and representative (Phil 2:19-22).
• and Tychicus (Τυχικὸς, Tychikos): Meaning "fortuitous" or "fateful." Often called Paul's "beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord" (Col 4:7, Eph 6:21). He was a trusted courier of Paul's letters, bringing news to and from churches. His inclusion signifies a direct link to the churches in Asia.
• and Trophimus (Τρόφιμος, Tróphimos): Meaning "nourished." An Ephesian Gentile believer, one of Paul's travel companions. His presence later caused controversy in Jerusalem when Jews wrongly assumed Paul had brought him into the temple (Acts 21:29), leading to Paul's arrest. He directly represents the Asian churches.
• of Asia (Ἀσιανοὶ, Asianoí): This refers to the Roman province of Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital. Tychicus and Trophimus, identified as being "of Asia," explicitly connect this group to the Ephesian church and the wider Asian Christian community, underscoring the broad geographical reach and unified nature of Paul's mission support.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Sopater... Pyrrhus, and Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica: This grouping presents representatives from Macedonia. The careful detailing of Sopater's lineage (son of Pyrrhus) and the explicit listing of two individuals from Thessalonica highlight the official, representative nature of these companions. They would have vouched for the integrity of the Macedonian contribution to the collection.
• Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy: This group connects to the region of Galatia, specifically Derbe and Lystra (Timothy's hometown), Paul's earliest mission fields. Gaius represents the earliest converts, while Timothy embodies the continuation of that missionary legacy, showing the long-standing relationships forged in ministry.
• Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia: These two represent the churches in the Roman province of Asia, particularly Ephesus, where Paul had spent an extended and fruitful period. Their presence signifies the support from these later, robust Gentile churches. Trophimus's ethnicity as a Gentile is subtly important in the wider Acts narrative, foreshadowing future events in Jerusalem.

Acts 20 4 Bonus section

• The seven companions (excluding Paul) mirror the structure seen in other important New Testament delegations (e.g., seven deacons in Acts 6). This number might symbolize completeness or a formal representation of the wider Christian community.
• The absence of women in this particular list does not negate their significant role in Paul's wider ministry (e.g., Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia) but likely reflects the specific public, representative role related to handling financial contributions, which often fell to men in that cultural context to avoid suspicion or scandal.
• This grouping of companions showcases Paul's intentional discipleship strategy, raising leaders from different regions and diverse backgrounds to participate in the greater work of the Gospel. Each name represents a thriving church or region that Paul had previously established or ministered in.

Acts 20 4 Commentary

Acts 20:4 is more than a mere travel itinerary; it is a vital snapshot of early church solidarity and organization. The listing of seven men from diverse regions underscores the unity across various Gentile churches, each contributing financially to the impoverished believers in Jerusalem (Rom 15:25-27) and lending their trusted representatives to the effort. This collective action not only provided material support but also fostered a deep sense of koinonia—fellowship—between Jewish and Gentile believers, embodying the reconciliation achieved in Christ. These individuals served as official delegates, ensuring transparency and accountability for the collection. Their presence with Paul, who faced increasing threats, also symbolized communal endorsement of his ministry and provided companionship. It highlights Paul's strategic genius in involving multiple reputable individuals, affirming the authenticity and communal ownership of the mission. The blend of seasoned companions like Timothy and Aristarchus with those mentioned only once or rarely like Sopater and Secundus, illustrates the broad base of involvement and the growing leadership cadre within the rapidly expanding church. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the collaborative, representative, and inter-connected nature of the apostolic mission and the early Christian community.