Acts 20:1

After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. Acts 20:1

The verbs, as translated by the NKJV, need to be tweaked: “And after the uproar ceased, Paul – having called the disciples, and having greeted – departed to go into Macedonia” (CG).

The previous verse closed out the chapter with the recorder dismissing the assembly. With that remembered, Chapter 20 begins with, “And after the uproar ceased.”

Here, the assembly is noted by Luke as a thorubos, or an uproar. The word gives the sense of a confused cry, a hubbub, etc. This is just as the previous chapter described things. With the calm actions of the recorder, things quieted down, the rage of the people was quelled, and Paul deemed it was the proper time to take his leave. Therefore, it next says, “Paul – having called the disciples.”

By this time, there would have been no small number of believers in Ephesus. This was seen in Chapter 19 when Demetrius said –

“Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.” Acts 19:26

Therefore, this probably would have been the calling of a sizeable assembly. With them gathered together, Luke next says, “and having greeted.”

The word aspazomai is variously translated. Some say encouraged, greeted, embraced, saluted, etc. It is repeatedly used by Paul in Romans 16 as he greets individuals in the church, but the word itself signifies to enfold in the arms. Therefore, it includes some type of body motion, maybe an embrace or a waving of the arm.

Today we might shake hands or give a high five. The point is that Paul personally met with these people and did what people do when they are about to separate. From there, he “departed to go into Macedonia.”

This is in fulfillment of what he had already planned, as noted in Chapter 19 –

“When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, ‘After I have been there, I must also see Rome.’ 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.” Acts 19:21, 22

This is where he intended to go. However, on the way there, he passed through Troas. That is seen in 2 Corinthians 2 –

“Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.” 2 Corinthians 2:12, 13

Troas is north of Ephesus but on the general path to Macedonia when going by foot or by ship.

Life application: Though Luke doesn’t record Paul’s stop in Troas, it is of note that he continued to evangelize as he traveled. He didn’t just stop to change ships if going by sea, or pass through on a horse or donkey if traveling by land. Rather, he saw that there was an open door set before him, and he took the time to go through it, even if temporarily.

Sometimes, there is an opportunity right in front of us, but we may miss it by being so set on accomplishing whatever goal we had our minds focused on. So, as you close out each day, take time to think about what transpired and consider that maybe tomorrow you can tweak your schedule to include something that you may have overlooked in the busyness of the day that has passed.

If you think, “I really should have talked to that person about Jesus,” determine in your mind to do so on the next occasion that you meet up. If it was a one-time meeting, having lost the chance to talk to someone, determine that you will be more aware of such things in the future. This is important because such opportunities can be eternity-changing for those you meet.

Heavenly Father, may we be attentive to the state of those we encounter. May we be willing to put aside things that are less important and speak about how our lives have been changed because of the gospel. From there, may we pass on the good news about how to be saved. Without this, people’s destinies will be far different. So, Lord, help us to be conscious of their plight and speak. Amen.