Welcome to Paul's Second Missionary Journey!
In this chapter, we are following the Apostle Paul as he takes a massive leap of faith. This journey is a turning point in history because it marks the moment the Christian message moved from Asia into Europe. We will look at the different cities Paul visited, the people he met, and the challenges he faced. Don't worry if the names of the cities sound confusing at first—we will break them down one by one!
The Big Picture: Where did Paul go?
According to Acts 16:11–18:17, Paul’s second journey took him through several key cities. You can remember the main stops using this mnemonic: "Please Tell Billy Athens is Cool" (Philippi, Thessalonica, Beroea, Athens, Corinth).
Quick Review Box: Key Locations
1. Philippi: The first European city Paul visited.
2. Thessalonica: A place of great tension and riots.
3. Beroea: Known for people who studied the scriptures carefully.
4. Athens: The intellectual capital, where Paul spoke to philosophers.
5. Corinth: A major trade hub where Paul stayed for a long time.
1. Philippi: Jailbreaks and New Beginnings
Paul’s time in Philippi (Acts 16:11–40) was a mix of great success and scary moments. Here are the three main stories you need to know:
The Conversion of Lydia: Paul met a group of women praying by a river. Lydia, a wealthy businesswoman who sold expensive purple cloth, listened to Paul and became the first convert in Europe. She even invited the missionaries to stay at her house.
The Slave Girl: Paul encountered a slave girl who was possessed by a spirit that allowed her to tell the future. Her owners made a lot of money from this. When Paul healed her in the name of Jesus, her owners were furious because their "income stream" was gone. This shows how the Gospel sometimes threatened economic interests.
The Prison and the Jailer: Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison. Instead of complaining, they sang hymns. An earthquake broke their chains and opened the doors. The jailer, terrified he would be punished for a prison break, was about to hurt himself, but Paul stopped him. The jailer and his whole family then became Christians.
Key Takeaway: In Philippi, the church started with a diverse group: a wealthy woman, a former slave girl, and a Roman official (the jailer).
2. Thessalonica and Beroea: Mixed Reactions
Next, Paul travelled to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1–9). He went to the synagogue (a Jewish place of worship) for three weeks. While some Jews and many Greeks were persuaded, others were jealous. They started a riot and accused Paul of "turning the world upside down" and defying the Roman Emperor by saying there is another king, Jesus.
Because of the danger, Paul fled to Beroea (Acts 17:10–15). The author of Acts describes the Beroeans as "more noble" because they didn't just take Paul's word for it—they examined the scriptures every day to see if what he said was true. However, the angry crowds from Thessalonica followed Paul there, forcing him to leave again.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't confuse the reactions! Thessalonica was mostly hostile (riots), while Beroea was receptive (careful study).
3. Athens: Meeting the Philosophers
In Athens (Acts 17:16–34), Paul found a city full of idols. This distressed him, so he began debating with people in the marketplace and with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.
They invited him to speak at the Areopagus (also known as Mars Hill). Paul used a very clever strategy here:
• He noticed an altar dedicated "To an Unknown God."
• He told them that this "Unknown God" was actually the Creator of the world.
• He quoted their own poets to help them understand.
• He finished by talking about the resurrection of Jesus.
The Result: Some mocked him, some were curious, and a few became believers. Athens was more of an intellectual challenge than a physical one.
4. Corinth: A Long-Term Mission
Paul spent 18 months in Corinth (Acts 18:1–17), which was much longer than his other stops. This was a busy, multicultural city.
• He met Aquila and Priscilla, a Jewish couple who were also tentmakers like Paul. They became his close friends and co-workers.
• He faced opposition from some in the synagogue, so he moved his teaching to the house next door.
• Eventually, the Jewish leaders brought Paul before Gallio, the Roman Proconsul. They accused Paul of persuading people to worship God in ways that broke the law.
• Gallio’s Decision: Gallio refused to judge the case, saying it was a religious dispute among Jews and not a violation of Roman law. This was a huge legal "win" for Paul, as it allowed him to keep preaching.
Did you know? Gallio was the brother of the famous Roman philosopher Seneca! His refusal to get involved gave the early church a period of relative safety from the Roman government.
Evaluating Success: Was the Journey a Success?
In your exam, you might be asked how far Paul’s second journey succeeded. To answer this (AO2), consider both sides:
Arguments for Success:
• Expansion: Christianity successfully moved into Europe (Philippi, Corinth).
• Durability: He established strong churches that lasted (he later wrote letters to the Philippians, Thessalonians, and Corinthians).
• Social Range: He reached all levels of society—from slaves to wealthy businesswomen to Roman officials.
• Legal Precedent: Gallio’s ruling in Corinth protected the movement from being banned as a "new" or "illegal" religion for a time.
Arguments for Limited Success:
• Persistent Opposition: Paul was beaten, imprisoned, and chased out of almost every city by riots.
• Mixed Results in Athens: While he spoke to the elites, only a small number of people joined the movement there compared to other cities.
• Internal Conflict: The journey actually started with a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas (cross-reference: they split up over John Mark before the journey began).
Key Takeaway Summary: Paul's second journey was highly successful in expanding the church geographically and socially, even though it was marked by intense personal suffering and legal challenges.
Quick Review Checklist:
• Can you describe what happened to Lydia and the jailer in Philippi?
• Why were the Beroeans called "noble"?
• What was Paul's main argument at the Areopagus in Athens?
• Who were Aquila and Priscilla, and why was Gallio important?