Acts 21:7

Monday, 16 October 2023

And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. Acts 21:7

The words are better rendered, “And we, having completed the voyage from Tyre, came to Ptolemais and, having greeted the brethren, stayed one day with them” (CG).

The previous verse indicated that the missionaries had boarded the ship to depart from Tyre. Now, it says, “And we, having completed the voyage from Tyre.”

Another word found only here in the New Testament is seen here, dianuó. It means to finish. Luke seems to enjoy finding new words to improve the reading skills of his audience. This word is from dia, through, and anuo, to effect. It is a word found commonly in classical Greek to indicate finishing a voyage, completing a journey, or coming to the end of a race. Here, the trip from Tyre is complete a s the men “came to Ptolemais.”

In modern Israel, Ptolemais is known as Akko. It first appeared in Judges 1:31 during the time of the Canaanite rule. At that time, the name was Akko. It was a part of Asher’s land grant, but they failed to conquer it. Later it was conquered and rebuilt, being named after Ptolemy Soter who was the king of Egypt. It was he who rebuilt the city. Abarim says that to a Greek speaker, the name Ptolemais would be understood as Bellicose or Warlike.

Since Israel has retaken control of the area in modern times, the original name of Akko has been revived. In Scripture, there is no record of who evangelized this area, but it could have been by Philip the Evangelist. Or these believers could have been some of those who were scattered after Stephen's martyrdom (see Acts 11:19). What is certain is that there were believers in the area. That is seen in the next words, “and, having embraced the brethren, stayed one day with them.”

It is the same word just used in the previous verse, aspazomai. It means to greet, salute, embrace, etc. The idea is that of enfolding in the arms. Being fellow believers, it is probable they met and gave hearty hugs and fraternal kisses. Then, after staying for just one day, they traveled from this point by land. That will be seen in the next verse.

Life application: Having arrived at Ptolemais, it is evident that the first thing these men did was to seek out the believers in the town. Although in Western culture, not everyone is disposed to bringing a bunch of people into their homes that they may not know very well, or for people who are traveling to impose upon those they meet up with, it is right that these men sought out the believers in the area.

Those of the faith would not have been great in number. Israel had obviously rejected Jesus, and they were on their way to rejecting anyone who had called on Jesus as Messiah. Therefore, meeting up with other believers would be something that bolstered their faith and encouraged them.

If you are going to a place that has become less friendly to Christians, it would be good for you to seek out those faithful Christians who remain and give them a time of encouragement. Just meeting up with other believers is a point of letting them know they are cared about and thought of. A little effort will, therefore, go a long way in their hearts and minds.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the fellowship we can experience with others, simply because they have called on Jesus and now share in the same faith that we possess. Help us to encourage those of the faith to stand strong and be uplifted in Your goodness because of what Jesus has accomplished for us. Such reminders are never without a positive benefit in the lives of others. Amen.