»BIBLICAL REFERENCES FOR GREECE

BIBLICAL REFERENCES FOR GREECE

Achaia (Region)
This Roman province included mainland Greece and the Peloponnese. Paul made two journeys here (Acts 17:16-18:18 & 20:1-4); Apollos wanted to visit (Acts 18:27).

Amphipolis
A district capital of Macedonia, on the Via Egnatia, the route used by Paul, Timothy and Silas (Acts 17:1).

Apollonia
Paul and Silas travelled through this town on the Via Egnatia on their way to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1).

Athens
Paul’s brief visit to Athens (Acts 17:10-31) was about four centuries past Athens’ golden age. Philosophers still came to the stoas (covered porches) to hear novel ideas. At Athens, Paul entered the world of Greek philosophies, prompting him to change his style of missions. Athens remains a window to the golden city of Pericles.

Berea
Paul and Silas entered Berea (on the Via Egnatia), a town of Greeks, Jews and Romans. It became a pulpit for Paul’s preaching for three weeks (Acts 17:10-15). Many Jews believed. Paul left, and Silas and Timothy stayed. The city was praised for evaluating preaching by comparing it with the scriptures.

Cenchreae
This port city across the narrow isthmus from Corinth was the embarkation port for Paul when he sailed after 18 months in Corinth (Acts 18:18). Phoebe was a deaconess (Rom. 16:1). To avoid delay and danger of sailing around the Peloponnese, ships were unloaded at Corinth, and then dragged overland on the diolchos to be reloaded at Cenchreae, or vice versa.

Chios
Paul sailed to Chios in route to Samos (Acts 20:15). The island was known for its famous shrine of Cybele, earth goddess, and was probably the home of Homer.

Corinth
Located at an isthmus of land that connects the Peloponnese peninsula and Corinth to the mainland of Greece. Paul laboured here 18 months with Priscilla and Aquila on his second journey (Acts 18). Paul changed his basic concept of mission here. He could reach more people by staying (500,000 regularly) than if he moved. The modern Corinth Canal (75 ft. wide) links Corinth to the Aegean and Ionian Sea (Corinthian Gulf).

Cos (Kos)
Paul sailed to the island of Cos after a farewell to the Ephesian elders (Acts 21:1). It was the birthplace of Hippocrates (father of modern medicine), and was famous for its medical school, libray, and Temple of Asclepios.

Delphi
This ancient city includes the oldest abd most sacred sanctuary of Greece, and the famous oracle consulted by people from all over the world. The inscription of Lucius Junius Gallio, the governor before whom Paul stood at Corinth, was found in Delphi, indicating his help to the city. The Sacred Way winds past the Athenian Treasury to the Temple of Apollo and beyond to the theatre and stadium.

Macedonia
This Roman province of northern Greece was visited by Paul during two journeys (Acts 16:8-10, 18:5, 20:1-4). The Macedonian call came to Paul at Troas (Acts 20:1-4).

Mytilene
Paul’s third journey sailed to Mytilene (Acts 20:14). The port town on the island of Lesbos was the first good harbour south of the Dardanelles on the Asian side.

Neapolis (Kavala)
Paul sailed from Troas (Acts 16:11) to Neapolis. At this gateway Paul’s team first set foot on Europe.

Patmos
This small barren island was where John the Evangelist was exiled and where he received the Revelation (Rev. 1:9).

Phoenix (Loutro)
The captain of Paul’s ship attempted to reach this better harbour on Crete to wait out the winter; instead the ship was wrecked before arriving there (Acts 27:12).

Philippi
Site of Paul’s first European sermon. Lydia, a seller of purple, became Europe’s first convert to Christianity (Acts 16:14). Paul and Silas were imprisoned in the jail, but later released after an earthquake (Acts 16:16-40).

Rhodes
Paul sailed from Cos to the island of Rhodes, home of famous philosophers and orators, on his homeward journey to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1-2).

Samos
Paul sailed to Samos, an island one mile off the coast of Ionia, Asia Minor, on the way to Jerusalem after his third journey (Acts 20:15).

Samothrace
The island was the centre for the worship of Poseidon (god of the sea). Paul stopped briefly on his way from Troas to Neapolis (Acts 16:11).

Thessalonica
This important port city on the Via Egnatia was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia when Paul, Silas and Timothy visited in 49-50 AD (Acts 17:2). The city, founded in 315 BC, became very cosmopolitan with a large Jewish population. Paul preached to the Jews in the synagogue, and God-fearing Greeks (Acts 17:4).

The Second Journey of Paul (Acts 15:36-18:22)
Estimated: 2,800 miles.
Acts 17:2 – Paul arrives the synagogue in Thessalonica.
Acts 17:4 – God-fearing Greeks and prominent women.
Acts 17:10 – Paul and Silas depart for Berea at night.
Acts 17:15 – Paul is escorted to Athens.
Acts 17:17 – Paul reasons in Athens’ synagogue.
Acts 17:22-31 – Paul addresses the Areopagus meeting.
Acts 17:34 -Dionysius, member of Areopagus, believes.
Acts 18:2 – Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth.
Acts 18:5 – Silas and Timothy arrive from Macedonia.
Acts 18:11 – Paul stays in Corinth for 18 months.
Acts 18:14-17 – The indifference of Gallio.

The Third Journey of Paul (Acts 18:23-21:8).
Estimated: 2,700 miles.
Acts 19:21 – Paul departs for Macedonia and Achaia.
Acts 20:1 – Paul sets out for Macedonia.
Acts 20:6 – Paul sails from Philippi for Troas.
Acts 20:15 – Paul sails to Mytilene, Samos, Chios.
Acts 21:1-2 – Paul sails from Cos to Rhodes.