When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me. But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn’t yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.
2 Corinthians 2:12-13
Troas and Macedonia. (The places named) Source: From ISBE in E-Sword. Don’t forget the commentaries as a source as well. Simply click on the verse which includes the places you want to research and then read the commentaries you have loaded to see what they say about the places in question. Use the Bible to reference the places as well and see what importance these places have in the biblical text.
Troas
The chief city in the Northwest of Asia Minor, on the coast of Mysia in the Roman province of Asia. From here, according to Act_16:8, Paul sailed. Here, also, according to Act_20:5-12, Paul raised Eutychus from the dead. The name Troas was not confined to the town itself, but it was also applied to the surrounding district, or to that part of the coast which is now generally known as the Troad. In its early history it bore the name of Antigona Troas, which was given it by its founder Antigonus, but after 300 BC it was generally known to the classical writers as Alexander Troas, a name given to it by Lysimachus. For a time the Seleucid kings made their homes at Troas. Later, when the city became free, it struck its own coins, of which vast numbers are found; a common type is one upon which is stamped a grazing horse. In 133 BC Troas came into the possession of the Romans, and later, during the reign of Augustus, it was made a Roman colony, independent of the Roman governor of the province of Asia. Its citizens were then exempt from poll and land tax. During Byzantine times Troas was the seat of a bishopric.
Troas was a city of Phrygia, or Mysia between Troy on the north, and Assos on the south. It was on the regular route from Ephesus to Macedonia. Paul took that route because on his journey to Macedonia he had resolved, for the reasons above stated, not to go to Corinth. The ruins of Troas are extensive, giving evidence of the great size and importance of the ancient city. Within the walls are the remains of the theatre, the temple and the gymnasium, which was provided with baths. The port from which Paul sailed was constructed by means of a mole, with an outer and an inner basin. The most imposing of the ruins, however, is a large aqueduct which was built in the time of Trajan. Troas was formerly called Troy.
Using the Bible as your reference:
Acts does not record his passing through Troas, in going from Ephesus to Macedonia; but it does in coming from that country (Act_20:6); also, that he had disciples there (Act_20:7), which accords with the Epistle (2Co_2:12, “a door was opened unto me of the Lord”). Doubtless Paul had fixed a time with Titus to meet him at Troas; and had desired him, if detained so as not to be able to be at Troas at that time, to proceed at once to Macedonia to Philippi, the next station on his own journey. He had been at Troas before, but the vision of a man from Macedonia inviting him to come over, prevented his remaining there (Act_16:8-12). On his return to Asia, after the longer visit mentioned here, he stayed seven days (Act_20:6).
Macedonia
(There is just too much information to include in this gem. I have clipped the list of contents from ISBE below. It amounts to many pages.)
I. THE MACEDONIAN PEOPLE AND LAND
II. HISTORY OF MACEDONIA
1. Philip and Alexander
2. Roman Intervention
3. Roman Conquest
4. Macedonia a Roman Province
5. Later History
III. PAUL AND MACEDONIA
1. Paul’s First Visit
2. Paul’s Second Visit
3. Paul’s Third Visit
4. Paul’s Later Visits
IV. THE MACEDONIAN CHURCH
1. Prominence of Women
2. Marked Characteristics
3. Its Members
A country lying to the North of Greece, afterward enlarged and formed into a Roman province; it is to the latter that the term always refers when used in the New Testament.
This is all useful in building up an understanding of what lies behind the names Troas and Macedonia. A look at the map I included in Gem 506 and 507 will help you get a handle on where these places are. Don’t forget Macedonia is to the north of Corinth. It is synonymous with the new focus as a result of the Macedonian Call. Always use the Bible to interpret the Bible. In the end it really matters not what the other sources say, it matters most what importance the Bible itself gives to the place. In this case Macedonia becomes highly important. It is part of Greece as we know it now. Separated from Turkey and Asia by the Bosphorus and Dardinelles. Part of Europe really in the centre of the scheme of things.
Now be honest, how many of you actually opened the attachment I sent with those Gems. Not many I suspect. We have a wealth of information at our disposal, we just don’t use it. I won’t say anymore at this point.
Poverty is a way of thinking, long before it becomes financial problem.
Jeffrey Rachmat
Don’t let yesterday’s failures bankrupt tomorrow’s effort.
David McCasland