It says here that Paul set sail for Syria (Antioch) and took Priscilla and Aquila with him. But a short boat trip later he says goodbye to them in Ephesus. I wonder why?
I mean…the author (Luke) was writing this after the fact, so why mention that Paul was headed for Syria with the couple? I think (for what it’s worth) that Priscilla and Aquila arrived in Ephesus, saw lots of work available and by that time they knew Paul a little better and decided “this isn’t such a bad place to part company as friends”. As I have said earlier, I don’t think Paul was an easy guy to live with. I think he was so consumed with the mission God laid on his heart that he didn’t take time for anything else. Not everyone burns as hot as Paul did. And consequently, we don’t see the results that Paul saw.
I did some research on Ephesus today, wanting to know what that town was like. I discovered that Ephesus was huge, around 200,000 people. One blogger I read commented “Christianity in the first century spread in the metropolitan areas faster than the rural”. Our faith was founded in a somewhat rural setting, but the large gains came from inner city evangelism. As a pastor out “in the sticks” I’m trying not to feel left out by that comment.
Another thing I hadn’t thought of: Ephesus was a central city for the faith in the first century. The top three locations would have been Jerusalem, Antioch in Syria, and Ephesus. Ironically, Ephesus also was the home of Artemis or Diana the fertility goddess. People came from far and wide to see her temple and to purchase figurines. Don’t go to Pittsburgh and dis the Steelers….and don’t go to Ephesus and dis Diana. It was like that.
Of course, Paul’s ministry was so effective that people were burning their magic books and tossing out their idols. Revival was having an impact on the false god business, so Demetrius incited the crowd to riot. Did you notice that they dragged Pauls friends into the arena, but they somehow missed Paul? Paul was heading over there to try and talk with the mob, but some of his friends stopped him. Seriously, I wonder what Paul was thinking sometimes.
Priscilla and Aquila stayed in Ephesus when Paul left. Ephesus was a seaport town back in the day. In modern times the bay is all silted in, and the original town is about a mile inland. By the way, all that’s left of Diana’s great temple is one lone pillar. Ha.
Anyway, P and A met Apollos, who was a charismatic and engaging speaker. They were able to give him some new information, and he was humble enough to receive it. Hooray for both of them…that’s Christianity in action. Then, the couple contacted the church in Corinth, which was in the region of Achaia, and recommended Apollos to them. What a great couple they must have been. There’s nothing better than arriving somewhere that you have never been, wanting to make a good impression only to find out your friends have friends there, and have been talking you up. That’s super encouraging. Again, well done Priscilla and Aquila.
I see very little mentioned on Paul’s third missionary journey (I mean, there’s less than the second one). Perhaps there will be more tomorrow. I looked up several maps while browsing today, I attach on here just to give you an idea where Paul traveled.
Faithfully,
PR
