Asia

Roman Province of Asia

Acts 20:18-25 Asia

ACTS 20:18 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,

Where is "Asia" (Acts 20:18)?
The Asia Paul is referring to is neither the continent of Asia as we know it today nor "Asia Minor," which refers to about 2/3 of what is Turkey today, less its southeastern 30% and northwestern tip. The "Asia" in Acts 20:18 was the Roman province of Asia, which made up the western 1/4 of what is Turkey today and included the coastal regions of Troas, Mysia, Lydia, Caria, the interior region of Phrygia. and the provincial capital of Asia was Ephesus.

How did a Roman province in Turkey end up being named "Asia"?
ασιαν (asian), the original Greek word translated "Asia," originates from "Assuwa," the name of a confederacy of small states that occupied the western shores of what is Turkey today, directly east of Greece across the Aegean Sea. Over time, Greeks and the rest of Europeans came to call "Asia" all lands east of Europe.

ACTS 20:19-21 19 “serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

How did Paul teach "publicly" (Acts 20:20) in Ephesus?
He taught at the synagogue "to Jews" (Acts 20:21) and at the "school of Tyrannus" (Acts 19:9) "to Greeks" (Acts 20:21). See Paul in Ephesus.

Why would Paul shed "many tears ... by the plotting of the Jews" (Acts 20:19)?
Knowing the Old Testament prophecies, the Jews should have been the first to recognize and worship Jesus as the promised Messiah. Yet all that many of them did is to plot against Paul, to their own loss, so his heart broke for them.

Do you shed tears over the people of your nation who resist the Gospel?

ACTS 20:22-25 22 “And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God. 25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.

What does Paul mean by, "you ... will see my face no more" (Acts 20:25)?
This will be the last time they see him alive.

What did Paul know about "the things that will happen to" (Acts 20:22) him in Jerusalem?
Paul didn't know specifics but "in every city" (Acts 20:23) the "Holy Spirit" (Acts 20:23) had been telling him that "chains and tribulations" (Acts 20:23) await him in Jerusalem.

How did Paul feel about that?
"None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).

What is the "Gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24)?
See John 3:16 Meaning, John 18 and Father, forgive them.

Would you feel "joy" (Acts 20:24) if the "race" the Lord has given you took you into "chains and tribulations"?

What if your God-given "race" will cost you your "life" (Acts 20:24)?

How long is human life?
"Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow" (Psalm 144:4).

So what is the most important question in life?
Not when or how it ends but if we have believed in God and served Him as much as He wants us to serve Him before the shadow passes.

Have you?