Lesson Thirty-Nine: To Troas and Miletus

Supplementary Materials

Paul's Journey Through Macedonia and Greece (20:1-6) Location Duration Activities Ephesus Departure "Embraced them" — tender farewell after the riot Macedonia Unspecified "Given them much exhortation" — strengthening the churches; likely wrote 2 Corinthians here Greece (Achaia) 3 months Probably at Corinth; wrote Romans here (Rom. 16:1, 23) Back through — Changed plans due to Jewish plot; traveled Macedonia by land instead of sea Philippi Days of Unleavened "We" resumes — Luke rejoins the group (cf. Bread 16:10-17) Troas 7 days Waited for first day of the week; Eutychus raised

Paul's Traveling Companions (20:4) Seven men accompanied Paul, representing churches from across the mission field: Name From Region Sopater Berea Macedonia Aristarchus Thessalonica Macedonia Secundus Thessalonica Macedonia Gaius Derbe Galatia Timothy Lystra Galatia Tychicus Asia Asia Trophimus Asia (Ephesus) Asia

Purpose: These men were likely representatives of their churches, accompanying the collection for the Jerusalem saints (cf. 1 Cor. 16:3-4; 2 Cor. 8:19-23). This demonstrated the unity of Gentile and Jewish believers and provided accountability for the funds.

Worship on the First Day of the Week (20:7) "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." The Significance of the First Day

• The day Jesus rose from the dead (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:2, 9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1)
• The disciples gathered on this day — this appears to be their regular practice, not a coincidence
• Paul waited seven days in Troas (v. 6) — apparently to meet with the church on this day
• 1 Corinthians 16:2: "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store"
• Revelation 1:10: "The Lord's day" — likely refers to Sunday

"To Break Bread" The purpose of their gathering was "to break bread" — this likely refers to the Lord's Supper:

• The phrase is used in Acts 2:42 in connection with the apostles' teaching and fellowship
• Early Christians observed the Lord's Supper regularly, often weekly
• It was the central act of Christian worship — commemorating Christ's death
• Early sources (Didache, Justin Martyr) confirm Sunday observance of the Lord's Supper

Eutychus: Death and Resurrection (20:7-12) Detail Description Name meaning "Eutychus" means "fortunate" or "lucky" — he certainly was that night! Age "A young man" (Greek: neanias — could be 8-14 years old or into early 20s) Setting Third-story room ("third loft"); many lamps burning; warm, stuffy atmosphere Position "Sitting in a window" — crowded room; sought fresh air The accident "Sunk down with sleep... fell down from the third loft" His condition "Was taken up dead" — Luke the physician confirms he was dead, not unconscious Paul's action "Fell on him, and embracing him" — reminiscent of Elijah (1 Kings 17:21) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:34) Paul's words "Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him" — the miracle had occurred Afterward Paul went back up, broke bread, ate, talked until dawn, then departed Result "They brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted"

Note: This is one of only a few resurrections recorded in Acts (cf. Tabitha/Dorcas, 9:36-42). Luke, as a physician, was qualified to recognize death. The miracle authenticated Paul's apostolic authority and brought great comfort to the church.

Paul's Haste Toward Jerusalem (20:13-16) Stop Notes Troas → Assos Paul walked (about 20 miles) while others sailed; perhaps needed time alone to pray

Stop Notes Assos → Mitylene Chief city of Lesbos island Mitylene → Chios Island off the coast Chios → Samos Island; "tarried at Trogyllium" (some manuscripts) Samos → Miletus Port city 30 miles south of Ephesus; Paul will meet Ephesian elders here

Why bypass Ephesus? (20:16): "He hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost." Paul wanted to:

• Deliver the collection while many Jews would be gathered in Jerusalem
• Avoid a lengthy stay that visiting Ephesus would require
• Meet the deadline — Pentecost was approaching

Key Cross-References

Lessons from Acts 20:1-16 1. Encouragement strengthens churches — Paul gave "much exhortation" as he traveled. 2. Early Christians gathered on the first day of the week to break bread. 3. The Lord's Supper was central to Christian worship. 4. God's power over death was demonstrated through Paul — as through Elijah and Elisha. 5. Accountability in handling church funds is important — multiple representatives accompanied the collection. 6. Sometimes we must bypass good opportunities to focus on urgent priorities.