and 40 miles from the preceding station. It was named after a sister of
Alexander the Great, and had many historic associations. An arch is
still standing, and was doubtless seen by the apostle, which
commemorated the victory at Philippi. There was a large Jewish
population, and a synagogue, in which Paul preached for three sabbaths.
He succeeded in founding a church, mostly of Gentiles, to which he soon
after wrote his two earliest epistles, First and Second Thessalonians.
But the Jews excited a riot, and the apostles were compelled to leave
the city by night. Thessalonica, now called _Saloniki_, is still the
second city of European Turkey, and contains 80,000 inhabitants.
5. _Berea_ (Acts 17:10-13) was a small city, chosen by the apostle on
account of its retired situation. It lay on the eastern side of Mount
Olympus. Its people were generous in hearing the truth, and candid in
examination of its claims; so that many of them believed, and "the
Bereans" have furnished a name for earnest students of the Bible in all
lands. The place is now called _Verria_, and has a population of about
6,000.
[Illustration: PLAN OF ATHENS.]
6. _Athens_ (Acts 17:15-34) was one of the most famous cities of the
world. It was situated 5 miles northeast of the Saronic Gulf, between
the two little streams Cephissus and Ilissus, and connected by long
walls with its two seaports, the Piræus and the Phaleric Gulf, where
probably Paul landed. Around it stand mountains noted in history, and
within its walls rise four important hills: the Acropolis, surmounted
by the Parthenon, the most perfect specimen of Greek architecture; the
Areopagus, northwest of the Acropolis, where Paul delivered his
memorable discourse; the Pnyx, still further west; and, on the south,
the Museum. In Paul's time Athens was no longer the political capital,
but was still the literary centre, not only of Greece, but of the
civilized world. Paul's discourse before its philosophers was not
attended with immediate results, as no church appears to have been
founded; but, four centuries afterward, the Parthenon became a Christian
church, and the Athenians were among the most bitter foes of image
worship. After many changes of fortune--at times being without
inhabitants--Athens is now the growing capital of the kingdom of modern
Greece, and the seat of a university.
7. _Corinth_ (Acts 18:1-18), the next station of the apostle, was 40
miles west of Athens, on the isthmus between Hellas and Peloponnesus,
which is here 10 miles wide. In Paul's time it was the commercial and
political metropolis of Greece, being the residence of the Roman
proconsul. It was, however, a most wicked city, and a by-word for
corruption and licentiousness. Paul preached in Corinth for a year and a
half, working meanwhile at his trade as a tent-maker, and during his
stay wrote the two Epistles to the Thessalonians. After leaving, he
wrote to the Corinthian Christians two of his longest Epistles, First
and Second Corinthians. The site of the city is now desolate, except for
a small and wretched village, named _Gortho_.
[Illustration: CORINTH AND VICINITY.]
8. _Cenchrea_ (Acts 18:18), more accurately Cenchreæ, is named merely as
the place from which Paul set forth on his return journey, and where he
performed the Levitical service of cutting off his hair in token of a
vow. We know, however, that he had, directly or indirectly, planted a
church here, as its deaconess, Phebe, is named. (Rom. 16:1, 2.) This was
the eastern harbor of Corinth, on the Saronic Gulf, 9 miles from the
city. It is now called _Kekhries_.
III. =The Return Stations= of the apostle, in his journey from Corinth
to Antioch, are given as four in number, though the journey was more
than a thousand miles in length.
1. Sailing eastward across the Ægean Sea, and passing many celebrated
islands, after a voyage of 250 miles, he reached _Ephesus_. (Acts
18:19-21.) He had been hindered from preaching in this region before,
and now remained but a few weeks, though urged by the Jews to remain
longer. He left behind him his friends Aquila and Priscilla, by whose
labors the brilliant young Apollos of Alexandria was led into the
church, and the way was prepared for Paul's labor on his second visit,
in connection with which Ephesus will be noticed again.
2. A voyage around the southwestern border of Asia Minor, thence past
the isle of Rhodes in a southeasterly direction, leaving Cyprus on the
northeast, brought the apostle to _Cæsarea_. (Acts 18:22.) This was the
Roman capital of Palestine, and a harbor. Here Paul debarked from the
vessel on which he had sailed 600 miles, and entered once more the Holy
Land. (For an account of Cæsarea, see page 113.)
3. _Jerusalem._ (Acts 18:22.) The apostle climbed the mountains, and for
the fourth time since his conversion entered the Holy City. He stayed
only to salute the church, and perhaps leave the gifts of the Gentile
Christians to the poorer saints of Judæa, and then left once more.
4. He traveled, overland most probably, to _Antioch_, his home, if any
place might be so named; for here were his nearest friends, here he had
begun his missionary journey, and here he doubtless received a glad
welcome from the church. He brought with him, on his return, not only
Silas, who had set out as his companion, but Timothy, and perhaps also
Aristarchus, Gaius and Erastus, whose names we find associated with
Paul's soon after.
OUTLINE FOR REVIEW.
I. Draw the map of Asia Minor, and review the
names of its provinces as already given.
II. Notice the _Stations in Asia_, and the events
of the journey associated with them. 1. Syria. 2.
Cilicia. 3. Derbe. 4. Lystra. 5. Phrygia. 6.
Galatia. 7. Troas.
III. Notice the _Stations in Europe_. 1. Philippi.
2. Amphipolis. 3. Apollonia. 4. Thessalonica. 5.
Berea. 6. Athens. 7. Corinth. 8. Cenchrea.
IV. Notice the _Stations of the Return Journey_.
1. Ephesus. 2. Cæsarea. 3. Jerusalem. 4. Antioch.
THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY.
This journey of the apostle, beginning at Antioch, led him as far west
as Corinth, and then as far east as Jerusalem. It probably occupied
about four years, from A.D. 54 to 58, and may be subdivided into two
stages. I. The Outward Journey, from Antioch to Corinth, including seven
stations. II. The Return Journey, from Corinth to Jerusalem, with
fifteen stations. More than half of this period was spent at Ephesus,
where Paul preached for nearly three years.
[Illustration: PAUL'S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY.]
I. =The Outward Journey.= (Acts 18:23-20:3.)
1. We note _Antioch_, the starting point for each of Paul's three
missionary journeys. This place has been already described, on page 113,
in connection with the map of the Early Apostolic History.
2. His westward course lay through _Galatia_ (Acts 18:23), where he
visited the churches planted upon his former tour. But as before, this
may refer to the part of Galatia embraced in Lycaonia; and we have thus
indicated upon the map by a dotted line. (See page 121.)
3. Still journeying westward toward the coast, Paul passed through
_Phrygia_ (Acts 18:23), already described on page 118. No events of this
part of the journey are related.
4. He came from the highlands of the interior to _Ephesus_, where he had
touched on his previous journey, and was now to remain longer than at
any other place during his active ministry. (Acts 19:1-20:1.) Ephesus
was the metropolis of Proconsular Asia, and may be regarded as the third
capital of Christianity, as Jerusalem had been its birthplace, and
Antioch the centre of its foreign missions. It stood a mile from the
Ægean Sea, fronting an artificial harbor, in which met the ships of all
lands, and above which rose the Temple of Artemis (Diana), celebrated as
the most magnificent building in Asia Minor, though the image which it
enshrined was only a shapeless block. Its population was principally
Greek, though with a large Oriental mixture. Here a preparation for
Paul's labor had been made by Apollos, who had instructed a small
company of Jews up to the twilight of John the Baptist's teachings
concerning the Messiah. From Paul's friends, Aquila and Priscilla, he
had learned the gospel of Christ; and, just before the apostle's
arrival, had gone to Corinth. For three months Paul labored in the
synagogue with the Jews and inquiring Gentiles; but, when the Jewish
opposition endangered the work, he took the step (at this time first in
the history of Christianity) of calling the believers in Christ out of
the synagogue. Paul remained at Ephesus in all more than two years,
working at his trade through the week, while preaching on the Jewish
Sabbath. Through his endeavors most of "the Seven Churches," addressed
long afterward by John, were founded at this time. Just before Paul's
departure a riot arose, and a tumultuous mob occupied the theatre, whose
ruins may still be seen. Ephesus is now an utter desolation, haunted by
wild beasts. Near its ruins is a small Turkish village, called
_Ayasalouk_. Near the close of his stay at Ephesus, Paul wrote the First
Epistle to the Corinthians.
[Illustration: PLAN OF EPHESUS.]
5. The next stopping place of the apostle was at _Troas_. (2 Cor. 2:12,
13.) This is mentioned, not in the Acts, but in the Epistle written soon
afterward. Here he had expected to meet his companion Titus, with news
from the church at Corinth. While waiting, he found an opportunity for
preaching, and success in winning souls. But, as the expected tidings
did not come, Paul again took ship, and sailed once more (see the
previous journey) from Asia to Europe.
6. His next station is named as _Macedonia_ (Acts 20:2); but it may be
inferred that he visited Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea, the places of
former labors, already described in the account of the second journey.
Perhaps it was at this time that he journeyed "round about unto
Illyricum," which was a province on the Adriatic Sea, west of Macedonia.
(Rom. 15:19.) While in Macedonia, perhaps at Philippi, Paul wrote the
Second Epistle to the Corinthians.
7. The last place in Paul's outward journey is mentioned as _Greece_,
the province elsewhere called Achaia. (Acts 20:2, 3; 18:27.) His
principal errand was to Corinth (already described on page 123), where
troubles in the church required his attention. While here he wrote the
Epistle to the Galatians, and his great statement of Christian doctrine,
the Epistle to the Romans.
II. =The Return Journey.= (Acts 20:6-21:6.) This was undertaken with the
desire of reaching Jerusalem in time for the Feast of Pentecost, A.D.
58. For some reason, probably on account of a Jewish plot to murder him,
Paul did not take the direct route, but went around the Ægean Sea by way
of Philippi and Troas, and was accompanied by a number of friends.
1. From Corinth, Paul and his friends journeyed overland, through Greece
and Macedonia, to _Philippi_ (Acts 20:3-6), a place now visited for the
third time. Here Paul was rejoined by Luke the Evangelist, who
henceforth shared his dangers to the end of his life.
2. Most of Paul's company sailed from Philippi across the Ægean Sea to
_Troas_, in advance of the apostle, but were soon followed by Paul and
Luke. (Acts 20:5-13.) At Troas they remained for a week with the church;
and here Eutychus was restored to life by the apostle.
[Illustration: PAUL'S VOYAGE TO ROME.]
3. From Philippi, most of the company set sail for Palestine, but Paul
went on foot as far as _Assos_, where he was taken on board. (Acts
20:13, 14.) This place was situated 19 miles from Troas, and is now
marked by extensive ruins.
4. _Mitylene._ This was on the island of Lesbos, famed as the home of
Sappho, the Greek poetess. Here they anchored for the night, as the
channel was not easy to follow among the islands. (Acts 20:14.) This and
the succeeding stations in the Ægean Sea may be noticed on the map of
the islands and coasts of Asia Minor, on page 132.
5. _Chios._ (Acts 20:15.) This is an island 32 miles long, and 5 miles
from Asia; said to have been the birthplace of Homer; and now called
_Scio_. Here Paul's ship anchored only for a night.
6. _Samos._ (Acts 20:15.) This is an island near the mainland, 42 miles
southwest of Smyrna; and 27 miles long. It was the birthplace of the
philosopher Pythagoras. They barely touched at the island, and then
sailed across to the shore of Asia Minor.
7. _Trogyllium_ (Acts 20:15) is a town and cape on the coast of Asia
Minor, at the foot of Mount Mycale. The place at which they anchored for
the night is still called _St. Paul's Port_. On the next day they sailed
past the harbor of Ephesus without stopping, for Paul's stations were
controlled by the movements of the ship and its masters.
8. _Miletus._ (Acts 20:16-38.) This was at the mouth of the river
Mæander, 36 miles south of Ephesus; and at that time on the shore,
though now ten miles inland, by the changes in the coast. Here, while
the ship was delayed, Paul sent for the elders of the church at Ephesus,
and gave to them a farewell address of deep tenderness. This place is
now a small village, called _Melas_.
9. _Coos_, or Cos (Acts 21:1), where they next anchored, is a small
island, northwest of Rhodes; now called _Stanchio_.
10. _Rhodes_ (Acts 21:1) is an island of note in both ancient and modern
history, 13 miles from Asia Minor, 46 miles long, and 18 wide. Upon it
had stood the Colossus, a figure over 100 feet high, but overthrown by
an earthquake, B.C. 224, and prostrate at the time of Paul's visit.
11. _Patara_ (Acts 21:1) was a seaport in the province of Lycia, in Asia
Minor, opposite Rhodes. Here the vessel ended its voyage, and the
apostolic company found another, which was bound for Phoenicia. The
place is now a ruin, and buried in the encroaching sand.
12. The disciples took another ship at Patara, and sailed in a
southeasterly direction for Phoenicia, passing by Cyprus without
stopping. The vessel paused for a week at _Tyre_ to unlade its burden,
and here Paul found a church, perhaps planted by Philip the evangelist.
Tyre had once been the great commercial metropolis of the Mediterranean,
known as "the strong city" as early as the time of Joshua. It was the
capital of Phoenicia, and in Old Testament times held friendly relations
with Israel, but was idolatrous and abominably wicked. It was besieged
by Nebuchadnezzar for 13 years, was destroyed by Alexander the Great,
rebuilt by the Seleucidæ, and, in Paul's time, was still a large city.
It is now a miserable village, called _Sur_, and, in the fulfillment of
prophecy, "a place for the spreading of nets." (Ezek. 26:14.)
13. Taking ship once more, for the last time, they sailed southward
along the coast of Palestine to _Ptolemais_. (Acts 21:7.) This was the
Old Testament Accho, in the tribe of Asher, but never possessed. It was
8 miles north of Mount Carmel. In mediæval history it sustained a siege
by the Crusaders, and was known as _St. Jean d'Acre_. Here Paul spent a
day with the church, and then journeyed with his friends southward over
the Plain of Esdraelon and Mount Carmel.
14. At _Cæsarea_, the next station, they were entertained by Philip,
who, years before, had been driven out of Jerusalem by Saul of Tarsus.
(See Philip's Journey, page 112.) Cæsarea was the Roman capital of
Palestine, and was in all respects a heathen city, though containing
many Jews. Here Paul received a message from the aged prophet Agabus,
warning him not to go to Jerusalem; but he persisted in his purpose.
15. For the fifth time in his life as a Christian, and for the last
time, Paul entered the city of JERUSALEM, from which he was soon to go
forth "the prisoner of the Lord."
OUTLINE FOR REVIEW.
I. _Outward Journey._ 1. Antioch. 2. Galatia. 3.
Phrygia. 4. Ephesus. 5. Troas. 6. Macedonia.
(Philippi.) 7. Greece. (Corinth.)
II. _Return Journey._ 1. Philippi. 2. Troas. 3.
Assos. 4. Mitylene. 5. Chios. 6. Samos. 7.
Trogyllium. 8. Miletus. 9. Coos. 10. Rhodes. 11.
Patara. 12. Tyre. 13. Ptolemais. 14. Cæsarea. 15.
Jerusalem.
THE VOYAGE TO ROME.
The last of Paul's recorded journeys was that which he took as a
prisoner under Roman power. He was seized by a Jewish mob in the Court
of the Women in the Temple (see plan of the Temple on page 141), in or
near the room set apart for the ceremonies of a Nazarite's vow. Dragged
by the crowd into the Court of the Gentiles, he would have been slain
but for the arrival of a company of Roman soldiers from the Tower of
Antonia. He made an address to the throng from the stairs leading from
the Court of the Gentiles to the Tower, and was then taken to the prison
in the tower.
1. From _Jerusalem_ he began his journey, as a prisoner. The immediate
cause of his departure from the city was the information received by the
Roman officer in charge of the Tower of Antonia, that a band of Jews had
formed a plan to slay Paul. That night he was sent, under a strong
escort, out of the reach of his enemies.
2. The guard paused at _Antipatris_ (Acts 23:31, 32), beyond which the
soldiers were not needed, so they were sent back, and Paul journeyed the
rest of the way under an escort of cavalry. Antipatris was built by
Herod the Great, and named for his father, Antipater. It was 26 miles
southeast of Cæsarea, on the direct road from Jerusalem, and 16 miles
northeast of Joppa. Its location is not identified with certainty, but
is probably to be found at a ruin known as _Ras el' Ain_.
3. The apostle was taken to _Cæsarea_ (Acts 23:33), where he was
remanded to prison. Here he remained for more than two years, was tried
by Felix, and made his memorable defense before the younger Herod
Agrippa. (Acts 24-26.) Having appealed, as a Roman citizen, to the
supreme court of the emperor at Rome, he was sent on shipboard for the
voyage with a company of prisoners, and a guard commanded by the
centurion Julius. Luke and Aristarchus were with Paul on the vessel.
(Acts 27:1, 2.)
4. The day after starting from Cæsarea, the vessel touched at _Zidon_,
and Paul was permitted to go on shore with the soldier to whom he was
chained. (Acts 27:3.) Zidon was one of the most ancient towns in
history, and the mother city of Tyre, which was 20 miles south of it. It
lay in the limits of the tribe of Asher, but was never possessed by
Israel. Its commerce was extensive, but early superseded by that of
Tyre. It was a battle ground more than once during the Crusades, and
changed masters frequently. Its site is now occupied by a small fishing
village, called _Saida_.
5. The wind being unfavorable, the vessel was carried to the north of
Cyprus, and sailed over waters traversed by Paul more than once, in the
northeastern corner of the Mediterranean, past his church home at
Antioch, and his birthplace, Tarsus, to the harbor of _Myra_, a city in
the province of Lycia, in Asia Minor. (Acts 27:4-6.) This city stood at
the entrance to a gorge in Mount Taurus, two miles from the sea. Its
port, where Paul landed to be transferred to another vessel, was called
Andriadice. It is now in ruins.
6. The next station was to have been Cnidus, 100 miles from Myra, on the
coast of Caria; but the vessel only reached it with difficulty, and was
unable to enter, on account of contrary winds: so the prow was turned
southward toward the island of _Crete_. This lies at the entrance to the
Ægean Sea, and is 140 miles long by 35 wide. They rounded Cape Salmone,
at the eastern point of the island, and anchored for a time at a place
then known, and still known, as _Fair Havens_, on the southern coast,
about midway between the two extremes of the island. Here they were
delayed for some time, and Paul urged the centurion to remain during the
winter, and escape impending dangers. But it was resolved to follow
along the shore still further westward, to the more commodious harbor of
Phenice. But in this they were disappointed; for they were driven out to
sea, and to the final result predicted by the apostle. (Acts 27:7-13.)
7. Soon after leaving Fair Havens, the storm set in. It was of the kind
then called Euroclydon (Revised Version, Euro aquilo, "east-northeaster"),
now known as "a Levanter." They were able to run under the lee of the
little island of Clauda, 23 miles from Fair Havens, where they
strengthened the vessel for the gale by "frapping," or winding ropes
around the hull. Thence for fourteen days and nights they were driven
before the wind in a westward direction, until hope perished in every
heart save Paul's. They were driven 476 miles, upon the island of
_Melita_, which is 62 miles south of Sicily, and is 17 miles long by 8
or 9 wide. It is of irregular oval shape, and its coast is indented by
many bays. The one in which the apostle was shipwrecked is on the
northeastern side of the island, and is known as St. Paul's Bay. A close
investigation of the locality, its surroundings, and the soundings of
the sea approaching it, show the remarkable accuracy of Luke's
statements. The island is now known as _Malta_, and is under British
rule. Some years ago an ancient inscription was found on the island,
giving to its ruler the same title, _protos_, "first or chief man" (Acts
28:7), given by Luke.
[Illustration: ST. PAUL'S BAY, MALTA, ENLARGED.
MALTESE ISLANDS.]
8. After wintering in the island of Melita, Paul and the other prisoners
were placed on board an Alexandrian ship which was bound toward Rome.
The first stopping place in this part of the voyage was at the historic
city of _Syracuse_, on the eastern shore of Sicily. (Acts 28:12.) Here
they paused for three days, and then continued their voyage.
9. The next station was at _Rhegium_, where they lay, awaiting a
favorable wind, for one day. (Acts 28:13.) This is at the "toe" of the
Italian boot, opposite Sicily, from which it is separated by a strait,
only 6 miles wide. It is now a flourishing town, called _Rheggio_.
10. The vessel ended its voyage, and Paul and his fellow-prisoners
disembarked, at _Puteoli_, near Naples. This was one of the leading
ports of Italy, being to Rome what Liverpool is to London. Here Paul
found a Christian church, and was permitted to remain for a week before
going onward to the capital, 141 miles distant. The city is now called
_Pozzuoli_.
[Illustration: PLAN OF ANCIENT ROME.]
11. At a place called _Appii Forum_, "the forum of Appius," a village on
the Appian Way, 43 miles from Rome, and again at the "Three Taverns," 10
miles nearer, Paul was met by some Christians, who had heard of his
coming, and came to give him a welcome, which rejoiced his heart.
12. At last great ROME was reached, and the apostle was at the end of
his long journey. For two years he dwelt as a prisoner at large, chained
to a Roman soldier, but in "his own hired house." At this point ends all
that is positively known of the journeys of the apostle.
The city of Rome stands on the river Tiber. In the period of its
greatness it occupied ten hills, with the valleys between them, and a
plain near the river. The apostle lived near the Pretorian Camp, on the
northeastern border of the city, and at the opposite end of the city
from the Jewish quarter, which was on the west of the Tiber. At the time
of Paul's imprisonment, Rome contained about 1,200,000 inhabitants.
One-half of the population were slaves, and two-thirds of the rest were
paupers, supported in idleness by the free distribution of food. During
the two years of Paul's imprisonment he wrote at least four
Epistles--Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. After about
two years of imprisonment, Paul was released and spent two or more years
at liberty.
OUTLINE FOR REVIEW.
1. Jerusalem. 2. Antipatris. 3. Cæsarea. 4. Zidon.
5. Myra. 6. Crete. (Fair Havens.) 7. Melita. 8.
Syracuse. 9. Rhegium. 10. Puteoli. 11. Appii Forum
and Three Taverns. 12. Rome.
THE LAST JOURNEYS OF PAUL.
[Illustration: PAUL'S LAST JOURNEYS.]
The definite history of the apostle Paul ends with the last verse of the
Acts of the Apostles; but, from the later Epistles and the dim light of
early tradition, we may gather a few facts, and perhaps can indicate a
few more journeys. From Philippians and Philemon, it is clear that
Paul expected an acquittal and release; from 1 Timothy and Titus, it is
evident, that after his imprisonment there were two years, perhaps more,
of liberty. Combining the allusions in the Epistles, we offer a
conjectural outline of the apostle's journeys during that year,
following mainly the order of Canon Farrar.