When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. (Acts 20:1-3)
Paul traveled from Ephesus to Macedonia. Bible scholars think he may have been in the province of Illyricum, Macedonia, for more than a year before going to Corinth, Greece for three months. He was supposed to sail to Syria but learned radical Jews planned to kill him. Since the sea is a convenient place to dispose of a body, he traveled by land and backtracked through Macedonia.
Luke summarizes a year of Paul’s missionary journey, during which he wrote his letter to Romans and his second letter to the Corinthians, in this short paragraph that emphasizes Paul’s ability to encourage when he was busy and his life was in danger.
We also have problems and sorrows. Sometimes we wait for people to encourage us when encouraging others also brings joy.
Father, I praise You for the encouragement and promises found in the Bible. Nudge me to love and encourage others during 2022. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.