Who were the companions of Paul mentioned in Acts 20:4, and what were their roles? Immediate Context Paul has just left Ephesus after the riot (Acts 19), is traveling through Macedonia and Greece, and is taking a sizable monetary relief offering (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8–9; Romans 15:25-28) to the impoverished believers in Jerusalem. Acts 20:4 lists the delegates chosen by the contributing churches to guarantee both the security of the funds (2 Corinthians 8:20-21) and transparency before God and men. The Delegation as a Whole 1. Representatives of the donor churches (each from a different region). 2. Eyewitnesses of Paul’s ministry, later able to confirm his integrity and doctrine. 3. Couriers who could distribute inspired letters and report verbally on Paul’s instruction. 4. Coworkers who alternated as assistants, scribes, advance men, and fellow sufferers. Individual Profiles Sopater of Berea (son of Pyrrhus) • Identified with “Sosipater” in Romans 16:21, an alternate spelling common in first-century koine manuscripts (cf. P46, 𝔓46). • From Berea, a city commended for searching the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). • Likely accompanied Paul from Greece through Macedonia back toward Jerusalem, indicating the Berean church’s participation in the relief fund. • Tradition (e.g., Apostolic Constitutions 7.46) names him later bishop of Iconium, illustrating the rapid spread of solid teaching bases beyond Judea. Aristarchus of Thessalonica • Macedonian, first appears in Acts 19:29, seized by the Ephesians during the riot—an early example of suffering for the gospel. • Travels with Paul to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4) and on to Rome (Acts 27:2). • Called a “fellow prisoner” (Colossians 4:10) and “fellow worker” (Phm 24), implying voluntary sharing of Paul’s imprisonment for ministry purposes. • Archaeological note: an inscription from Thessalonica (SEG 36.663) lists the name ΑΡΙΣΤΑΡΧΟΣ, demonstrating its local usage in the exact period. Secundus of Thessalonica • Name (“Second”) suggests he may have been a freedman or slave, highlighting Christianity’s social inclusiveness (Galatians 3:28). • Nothing further is recorded, yet Luke’s mention indicates recognized reliability to transport funds and witness Paul’s conduct. • Dual presence of Aristarchus and Secundus shows Thessalonica’s strong commitment to Jerusalem relief despite earlier persecution (1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:4). Gaius of Derbe • Not to be confused with Gaius of Macedonia (Acts 19:29) or Gaius of Corinth (Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:14). • Native of Derbe in south Galatia; possibly converted during Paul’s first missionary journey (Acts 14:20-21). • His inclusion balances the Galatian contribution and underscores fulfillment of Galatians 2:10 (“remember the poor”). Timothy • Son of a Jewish mother and Greek father (Acts 16:1-3). • Well-known protégé; co-sender of six Pauline epistles (2 Cor, Phil, Col, 1 & 2 Th, Phm). • Frequently dispatched to stabilize churches (1 Thessalonians 3:2; 1 Corinthians 4:17). • Present here both as aide and as a respected guarantor of the collection, showing that youthful leaders can carry heavy responsibility (1 Timothy 4:12). Tychicus of Asia • Probably from Ephesus or the surrounding province; name attested in a first-century Ephesian inscription (IEph 1854). • Later entrusted to carry Ephesians and Colossians (Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-9) and perhaps 2 Timothy (2 Timothy 4:12). • Designated potential interim pastor for Titus on Crete (Titus 3:12), displaying administrative competence. Trophimus of Asia • A Gentile Ephesian; his presence with Paul in Jerusalem later sparked the wrongful charge that triggered Paul’s arrest (Acts 21:29). • Designated “my fellow worker” in some early traditions; known for strenuous travel until taken ill in Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20). • Demonstrates the costly nature of gospel advance: travel hazards, illness, and political misunderstanding. Luke (Implied by the “We” Narrative) • Acts 20:5-6 shifts from third person to first person plural (“we”), marking Luke’s re-entry into the team. • Functions as historian, physician (Colossians 4:14), and missionary. • Provides eyewitness documentation of the journey, reinforcing the reliability of Acts across major manuscript families (𝔓75, Codex Vaticanus, Codex Sinaiticus). Functional Roles in the Jerusalem Collection • Security: group travel deterred theft and accusations of misappropriation (2 Corinthians 8:20). • Verification: each man could attest to the faithful delivery of funds. • Representation: unity of Gentile believers with Jewish Christians in the mother church. • Ministry extension: simultaneous visits to supporting churches while Paul progressed. • Teaching relay: companions served as living transmissions of Pauline doctrine before the canonical epistles were widely circulated. Theological Significance • Embodies Ephesians 2:14-16—the demolition of the Jew-Gentile barrier through Christ. • Models the body’s interdependence (1 Corinthians 12), as diverse backgrounds blend for a common kingdom purpose. • Foretastes the eschatological gathering of every nation (Revelation 7:9), tying monetary generosity to cosmic reconciliation. Historical Reliability • Multiple corroborating manuscripts (P46 c. A.D. 175-225; 𝔓75 c. A.D. 175-225; Codex Vaticanus 4th cent.) contain Acts 20 unchanged, affirming textual stability. • Early patristic citations (e.g., Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.14.1) quote Acts 20, evidencing second-century acceptance. • Consistency with Paul’s letters (names, routes, chronology) underscores Luke’s accuracy; modern historical method (criterion of undesigned coincidences) notes tight fit between Acts 20 and 2 Corinthians 8-9. Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Corroboration • First-century inscriptions for names like Aristarchus, Tychicus, and Gaius appear in respective regions, confirming authenticity of the narrative’s onomastics. • Delphi‐based Gallio inscription (A.D. 51-52) synchronizes with Acts 18:12 and cascades chronologically to Acts 20, anchoring the timeline. Practical Discipleship Lessons • Financial integrity is inseparable from gospel credibility. • Delegation and plurality in leadership protect both resources and reputations. • Even “minor” believers—Secundus, Sopater—leave lasting kingdom impact when faithful. • Geographic and social diversity in ministry teams mirrors the Creator’s design for unity in variety. Answer in Summary The companions in Acts 20:4—Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, Trophimus (with Luke implied)—served as regional delegates safeguarding the Jerusalem relief offering, eyewitnesses of Paul’s ministry, logistical aides, and enduring examples of multicultural cooperation, thereby advancing both the historical reliability of Scripture and the theological theme of one new humanity in Christ. |
    |