01.07. Third Missionary Journey
Study 7: Third Missionary Journey (54-58 AD)
Introduction 1. Between the first and second journeys of Paul, there was an interval of about two years... a. In which Paul spent "a long time" in Antioch - Acts 14:28 b. During which a visit to Jerusalem became necessary - Acts 15:1-2 2. Between the second and third journeys, Paul did not remain long in Antioch... a. He did spend "some time" there - Acts 18:22-23 b. But he soon departed, perhaps anxious to fulfill a promise made to the Ephesians on his second journey - cf. Acts 18:19-21 [As with his second journey, he starts with...] I. The Regions of Asia Minor (54-57 A.D.) A. In Galatia and Phrygia. . .
1. Strengthening the disciples - Acts 18:23 2. This would be Paul’s third time in the region a. He visited this area on his first journey - Acts 14:6-20 b. He returned on his second journey - Acts 16:6 B. In Ephesus. . .
1. Where Paul had briefly stopped on his second journey - Acts 18:19-21 2. Where Aquila and Priscilla had stayed, and converted Apollos - Acts 18:24-28 3. Where Paul converted twelve disciples of John the Baptist - Acts 19:1-7 4. Where Paul stayed for about three years (54-57 A.D.) a. Teaching for three months in the synagogue - Acts 19:8 b. Teaching daily for two years in the school of Tyrannus - Acts 19:9-10 c. Working unusual miracles - Acts 19:11-20 d. Note the great success Paul had - Acts 19:10; Acts 19:20 5. During this period of time, several things may have happened a. Paul made a short visit to Corinth, his second - cf. 2 Corinthians 12:14; 2 Corinthians 13:1 1) His first visit was during the second journey - Acts 18:1 2) His third visit was later on the third journey - Acts 20:1-3 3) The book of Acts is silent about his second visit, but most place it sometime during his extended stay at Ephesus b. Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians (now lost), alluded to in 1 Corinthians 5:9 c. Paul wrote Galatians (55 A.D.) - Galatians 1:1-2 1) Purpose: To verify his apostleship and the gospel of justification by faith in Christ 2) Theme: Stand fast in the liberty of the gospel 3) Brief Outline: a) Defense of his apostleship - Galatians 1:1-24; Galatians 2:1-21 b) Defense of the gospel of justification by faith - Galatians 3:1-29; Galatians 4:1-31 c) The call to stand fast in the liberty of the gospel - Galatians 5:1-26; Galatians 6:1-18 6. Paul makes plans to leave Ephesus - Acts 19:21-22 a. Sending Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, with Timothy to eventually go to Corinth - 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 16:10-11 b. Though he himself stayed "for a time", during which he writes First Corinthians (spring of 57 A.D.) - 1 Corinthians 16:5-8 1) Purpose: To correct sinful practices and refute false doctrine 2) Theme: Walk together in unity, love, and truth 3) Brief Outline: a) Factions in the church - (See first four chapters of 1Corinthians) b) Sexual immorality in the church - 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 c) Lawsuits among brethren - 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 d) Moral defilements - 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 e) Marriage and celibacy - 1 Corinthians 7:1-40 f) Meats sacrificed to idols - 1 Corinthians 8:1-11:1 g) Women praying and prophesying unveiled - 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 h) The Lord’s supper - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 i) Spiritual gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1-27; 1 Corinthians 14:28-40 j) Resurrection from the dead - 1 Corinthians 15:1-58 k) Collection for the saints - 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 l) Concluding remarks, instructions, benediction - 1 Corinthians 16:5-24 7. Paul sends Titus and "a brother" to Corinth - cf. 2 Corinthians 12:17-18 a. To bring Paul word as to how the Corinthians received the first letter? b. To encourage the Corinthians concerning the collection? - 2 Corinthians 8:6 a c. Whose delayed return would later give Paul concern - 2 Corinthians 2:12-13 d. But who would eventually bring Paul good news - 2 Corinthians 7:5-7; 2 Corinthians 7:13-16 8. The Diana incident - Acts 19:23-41 a. A great commotion brought on by Demetrius and the other silversmiths b. In which a mob takes two of Paul’s travel companions, Gaius and Aristarchus c. Barely controlled by the city’s town clerk 9. Additional details about Paul’s stay in Ephesus a. Sosthenes was there, joining Paul in writing to the Corinthians - 1 Corinthians 1:1 b. Paul had been visited by Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus - 1 Corinthians 16:17 c. Aquila and Priscilla hosted the church in their house, and sent greetings to those in Corinth - Acts 18:2; Acts 18:19; Acts 18:26; 1 Corinthians 16:19 d. Paul’s sufferings while at Ephesus 1) As related to the Ephesian elders in Miletus - Acts 20:17-19 2) As mentioned in letters to the Corinthians - 1 Corinthians 15:30-32; 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 e. Paul’s preaching while at Ephesus - Acts 20:21-23; Acts 20:25-27; Acts 20:31 f. Paul’s manual labor while at Ephesus - Acts 20:33-35; 1 Corinthians 4:11-12 C. In Traos. . .
1. The turmoil over Paul provides an opportune time to leave Ephesus - Acts 20:1 2. With plans already made (Acts 19:21), Paul heads toward Macedonia - Acts 20:1 3. At Troas, he finds an open door to preach the gospel - 2 Corinthians 2:12 4. But not finding Titus, he continues on toward Macedonia - 2 Corinthians 2:13 [With anxiety over the condition of the church at Corinth, Paul once again travels to...] II. The Regions of Macedonia and Greece (57-58 A.D.) A.In Macedonia. . .
1. Paul finds Titus, who brings comforting news from Corinth - 2 Corinthians 7:5-7; 2 Corinthians 7:13-16 2. Paul preaches throughout Macedonia - Acts 20:1-2 a. He had preached in Macedonia on his second journey - Acts 16:11-40; Acts 17:1-15 b. Establishing churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea c. On this trip he appears to have ventured to Illyricum - cf. Romans 15:19 3. The brethren give generously for the relief of the church in Jerusalem - 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 4. Timothy rejoins Paul, and joins Paul in writing Second Corinthians (fall of 57 A.D.) - 2 Corinthians 1:1 a. Purpose: To vindicate Paul’s apostleship and manner of life b. Theme: Open your heart to us, we have wronged no one c. Brief Outline:
1) Paul explains his ministry of reconciliation - 2 Corinthians 1:1-7:16 2) The collection for the saints in Jerusalem - 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15 3) Paul defends his apostolic authority - 2 Corinthians 10:1-13:14 5. Titus and "two brethren" are sent to Corinth - 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 a. Likely taking Second Corinthians b. To assist the Corinthians concerning the collection - 2 Corinthians 8:6-8; 2 Corinthians 9:1-5 B.In Achaia (Greece.). . .
1. Paul spent three months - Acts 20:2-3 2. It included his third visit to Corinth - 2 Corinthians 12:14 a. A visit he hoped would not be sorrowful - 2 Corinthians 2:1 b. A visit he hoped would not be embarrassing for them - 2 Corinthians 9:3-4 c. A visit he hoped would not require stern judgment - 2 Corinthians 12:20-21; 2 Corinthians 13:1-3 3. Paul wrote Romans (spring of 58 A.D.) - Romans 16:23; cf. 1 Corinthians 1:14; 2 Timothy 4:20 a. Purpose: To set straight the design and nature of the gospel b. Theme: The gospel is God’s power of salvation c. Brief Outline:
1) Justification by faith in Christ - Ro 1:1-11:36 2) The transformed life - Ro 12:1 - 16:27 4. Paul’s companions while in Corinth a. Phoebe, servant of the church in nearby Cenchrea - Romans 16:1-2 b. Timothy, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, Paul’s countrymen - Romans 16:21 c. Tertius, writer for Paul - Romans 16:22 d. Gaius, host of Paul and the church - Romans 16:23 e. Erastus, treasurer of the city, and Quartus, a brother - Romans 16:23 5. Paul’s plans for when he leaves Corinth a. To visit Rome and eventually Spain - Romans 1:8-13; Romans 15:22-24 b. But first he must go to Jerusalem with the contribution for the needy saints - Romans 15:25-29
[After just three months, then, Paul prepares to leave Corinth and head straight toward Syria on his way to Jerusalem. But circumstances demand a change in itinerary...] III. From Corith to Jerusalem (58 A.D.) A. By Way of Macedonia. . .
1. Paul’s plan to sail straight to Syria spoiled by a plot against him - Acts 20:3 2. Paul decides to go through Macedonia, joined by seven companions - Acts 20:4 a. Sopater of Berea - Romans 16:21 b. Aristarchus (Acts 19:29; Acts 27:2; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:24) and Secundus of Thessalonica c. Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy - cf. Acts 16:1 d. Tychicus (Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:12; Titus 3:12) and Trophimus (Acts 21:29; 2 Timothy 4:20) of Asia
3. These seven go on to wait for Paul at Troas, while Luke evidently joins Paul at Philippi and sails with him to Troas - Acts 20:5-6 (note the use of "we"...) B. By Way of Trayos and Miletus. . .
1. Paul and his companions assemble with the disciples at Troas - Acts 20:6-12 a. After waiting seven days - Acts 20:6 b. On the first day of the week - Acts 20:7; cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 c. For the purpose of breaking bread - Acts 20:7; cf. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-33 d. Paul speaks until midnight - Acts 20:7 e. Eutychus falls from the third story, and presumed dead; Paul reassures them otherwise - Acts 20:8-10 f. Paul breaks bread, talks until dawn, and then departs - Acts 20:11-12 2. Paul goes to Miletus, where he meets with the Ephesian elders - Acts 20:13-38 a. On the way to Miletus...
1) Paul walks to Assos, the others take the ship - Acts 20:13 2) Paul joins them at Assos, and sails to Mitylene - Acts 20:14 3) They sail pass Chios, on to Samos, Trogyllium, finally Miletus - Acts 20:15 4) Paul’s plan is to bypass Ephesus to reach Jerusalem in time for Pentecost - Acts 20:16 b. At Miletus Paul talks to the Ephesian elders...
1) Reviewing his work with them - Acts 20:17-27 2) Warning them of dangers within and without - Acts 20:28-31 3) Commending them to God and His Word, reminding them of his own example - Acts 20:32-35 4) Parting with prayer and great sorrow - Acts 20:36-38 C. By Way of Tyre, Ptolemais, and Ceasarea. . .
1. Sailing to Cos, Rhodes, Patara, catching a ship on the way to Phoenicia - Acts 21:1-2 2. Passing by Cyprus, sailing to Syria, landing at Tyre - Acts 21:3-6 a. Staying with disciples for seven days b. Paul warned not to go to Jerusalem c. Parting with prayer on the shore, sailing on to Ptolemais 3. Staying at Ptolemais one day with the brethren - Acts 21:7 4. Arriving at Caesarea, where they stayed "many days" - Acts 21:8-15 a. Staying at the house of Philip the evangelist - Acts 21:8-9; cf. Acts 6:5; Acts 8:5-13; Acts 8:26-40 b. Agabus prophesies of Paul’s impending imprisonment - Acts 21:10-11 c. Over their objections, Paul is determined to go to Jerusalem - Acts 21:12-14 d. They leave Caesarea, along with some of the disciples including Mnason, with whom they would stay in Jerusalem - Acts 21:15-16 e. They arrive in Jerusalem, warmly received by the brethren - Acts 21:17
Conclusion 1. Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem must have been with mixed emotions... a. He was accompanying the contribution for needy Christians in Jerusalem - Romans 15:25-27 b. He had intentions of going to Rome, and then Spain - Romans 15:28; cf. Acts 19:21 c. He knew that chains awaited him in Jerusalem - Acts 20:22-23; Acts 21:11-14 2. Yet Paul could consider his third missionary journey a success... a. Strengthening churches in Galatia, Phrygia, Asia, Macedonia, Achaia (Greece), Syria b. Three years in Ephesus, from where all Asia heard the Word c. Encouraging the churches in Macedonia, with likely excursions into Illyricum d. Dealing with the problems at Corinth, with evident success e. Writing letters, including Galatians, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Romans f. Motivating Gentile Christians to assist their needy Jewish brethren in Jerusalem
3. A study of Paul’s life reveals more than just the life of one man, it reveals much about the life of the early church; we learn of... a. Its worship, its dedication to evangelism, edification, and benevolence b. The love and hospitality of the early disciples which made such things possible May the example of Paul and the disciples in the early church inspire us in our service to the Lord today!