Acts 16:1-15
Into Macedonia
1Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where he found a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father.
2The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.
3Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
4As they went from town to town, they delivered the decisions handed down by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
5So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.
6After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia.
7And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.
8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.
9During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
10As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11We sailed from Troas straight to Samothrace, and the following day on to Neapolis.
12From there we went to the Roman colony of Philippi, the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
13On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there.
14Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
15And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
Berean Standard Bible
Paul meets Timothy, a well-regarded young disciple, and invites him to join the team. As they travel, the Spirit prevents them from entering some regions. At Troas, Paul receives a vision of a man pleading for help in Macedonia.
Come over to Macedonia and help us.
The group concludes that God has called them to preach there. In Philippi, they find a place of prayer by the river and speak with the women gathered there. Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth, listens as the Lord opens her heart. She and her household are baptized, and her home becomes a place of welcome.
Paul meets Timothy, whose mother is a Jewish believer and whose father is Greek. The brothers in Lystra and Iconium speak well of him, so Paul takes him along. Paul circumcises Timothy because of the Jews in those places who know his father was Greek. This is a missionary decision about removing a cultural obstacle, not a reversal of the Jerusalem decision that Gentiles are saved by grace rather than by circumcision.
As the team travels, the Holy Spirit prevents them from speaking the word in Asia, and the Spirit of Jesus does not allow them to enter Bithynia. The closed routes are not proof that the mission has failed; they force the team toward Troas, where Paul receives a vision of a Macedonian man asking for help. The group concludes that God has called them to preach the gospel there.
In Philippi, a leading city of the district, they go outside the gate to a place of prayer. Lydia, a seller of purple cloth from Thyatira, listens as the Lord opens her heart. She and her household are baptized, and she persuades the team to stay at her home if they consider her faithful. The first European convert in this account responds to the gospel by opening both her heart and her household.
Questions
1 Who joined Paul on the journey?
AnswerTimothy joined Paul after the believers spoke well of him.
2 What happened when Paul tried to enter some regions?
AnswerThe Holy Spirit prevented him from speaking in Asia, and the Spirit of Jesus would not permit Bithynia.
3 What did the Macedonian man ask?
AnswerHe asked Paul to come over and help them.
4 What happened to Lydia?
AnswerThe Lord opened her heart, and she and her household were baptized.
What This Means for Us
An apparently closed route may be part of God's guidance, not a sign that the work has failed. The next open door may lead to one attentive person whose home and faith bless many others.
Prayer
Lord, help us hold our plans with open hands. Lead us toward the people you are preparing, and open our hearts to respond when you speak. Amen.