◄ Acts 21:7 ►
When we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day.
Study Bible
When we had finished our voyage from Tyre,

This phrase indicates the conclusion of a significant part of Paul's missionary journey. Tyre was a major Phoenician city, known for its trade and commerce. The journey from Tyre to Ptolemais would have been a coastal voyage along the eastern Mediterranean, reflecting the interconnectedness of early Christian communities. The mention of "we" suggests the presence of Luke, the author of Acts, as part of Paul's traveling companions, providing an eyewitness account.

Act 20:13-15 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos,…
Act 27:2-5 We boarded an Adramyttian ship about to sail…
Ezk 27:8-9 The men of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen.…

we landed at Ptolemais,

Ptolemais, known today as Acre or Akko, was an important port city in ancient times. It was part of the Roman province of Syria and had a mixed population of Jews and Gentiles. The city's strategic location made it a hub for trade and travel, facilitating the spread of the Gospel. The landing here signifies a brief stop in Paul's journey towards Jerusalem, highlighting the network of early Christian communities along the Mediterranean.

Jdg 1:31 Asher failed to drive out the inhabitants of Acco, Sidon,…
Act 28:13 From there we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium.…
Act 27:39-44 When daylight came, they did not recognize the land,…

where we greeted the brothers

The term "brothers" refers to fellow believers in Christ, indicating the presence of a Christian community in Ptolemais. This greeting underscores the unity and fellowship among early Christians, regardless of geographical location. It reflects the practice of hospitality and mutual support that was vital for the survival and growth of the early Church. This community likely consisted of both Jewish and Gentile converts, illustrating the inclusive nature of the Gospel.

1Th 5:26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
Rom 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches…
1Pe 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you…

and stayed with them for a day.

The brief stay suggests a time of fellowship and encouragement among believers. It highlights the itinerant nature of Paul's ministry, as he often traveled from city to city, strengthening the churches. This short visit would have provided an opportunity for teaching, prayer, and sharing news from other Christian communities. The hospitality extended to Paul and his companions reflects the early Church's commitment to supporting missionaries and fostering a sense of belonging among believers.

Jhn 1:39 “Come and see,” He replied. So they went and saw…
Luk 24:29 But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is…
Act 28:14 There we found some brothers who invited us…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul and His Companions
The apostle Paul is traveling with his companions, continuing his missionary journey. This passage highlights their commitment to spreading the Gospel and strengthening the early church.

2. Tyre
A city in Phoenicia where Paul and his companions had previously stopped. It was a significant port city and a place where Paul had found a community of believers.

3. Ptolemais
A coastal city in ancient Phoenicia, known today as Acre in modern Israel. It was a strategic location for trade and travel, and Paul used it as a stopover on his journey to Jerusalem.

4. The Brothers
Refers to the Christian believers in Ptolemais. The early church was characterized by a strong sense of community and hospitality, as seen in their welcoming of Paul and his companions.

5. The Voyage
This event marks a segment of Paul's third missionary journey, emphasizing the dedication and perseverance required in his mission to spread the Gospel.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Christian Fellowship
The early church thrived on strong community bonds. Believers today should prioritize fellowship and mutual support within the church.

Hospitality as a Christian Virtue
The welcoming nature of the brothers in Ptolemais serves as a model for Christians to open their homes and hearts to fellow believers and strangers alike.

Perseverance in Ministry
Paul's journey, despite its challenges, underscores the need for perseverance in fulfilling God's calling. Christians are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith and mission.

The Role of Strategic Locations in Ministry
Just as Paul used key cities like Ptolemais for his mission, believers should consider how their own locations can serve as platforms for ministry and outreach.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the example of the brothers in Ptolemais challenge us to practice hospitality in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we strengthen our fellowship with other believers, following the example of the early church?

3. What are some modern "strategic locations" in our lives where we can effectively share the Gospel?

4. How can we demonstrate perseverance in our personal ministries, inspired by Paul's journey?

5. How do the themes of hospitality and fellowship in Acts 21:7 connect with other scriptures, such as Romans 12:13 and Hebrews 13:1-2, and how can we apply these themes today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 20:36-38
This passage describes Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders, showing his deep emotional connection to the churches he planted and visited, similar to his interactions with believers in Ptolemais.

Romans 12:13
This verse encourages believers to practice hospitality, which is exemplified by the brothers in Ptolemais who welcomed Paul and his companions.

Hebrews 13:1-2
These verses remind Christians to continue in brotherly love and hospitality, reflecting the actions of the believers in Ptolemais.
Sermons
Incidents by the WayE. Johnson Acts 21:1-16
Human Affection and Sacred ServiceW. Clarkson Acts 21:1-17
The Spirit in Paul, and the Spirit in OthersR. Tuck Acts 21:4, 11
Tyro to Caesarea: the Will of God It, the Heart of His ServantR.A. Redford Acts 21:7-14
People
Agabus, Israelites, James, Mnason, Paul, Philip, Trophimus
Places
Asia, Caesarea, Cilicia, Cos, Cyprus, Jerusalem, Judea, Patara, Phoenicia, Ptolemais, Rhodes, Syria, Tarsus, Tyre
Topics
Abode, Arrived, Brethren, Brothers, Completed, Course, Finished, Greeted, Greeting, Inquired, Journeying, Landed, Ptolemais, Ptolema'is, Reached, Sailed, Saluted, Ship, Stayed, Talk, Tyre, Voyage, Welfare
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 21:7

     5328   greeting

Acts 21:1-8

     5108   Paul, life of

Acts 21:6-7

     5517   seafaring

Library
An Old Disciple
'... One Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.'--ACTS xxi. 16. There is something that stimulates the imagination in these mere shadows of men that we meet in the New Testament story. What a strange fate that is to be made immortal by a line in this book-- immortal and yet so unknown! We do not hear another word about this host of Paul's, but his name will be familiar to men's ears till the world's end. This figure is drawn in the slightest possible outline, with a couple …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Philip the Evangelist
'... We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.'--ACTS xxi. 8. The life of this Philip, as recorded, is a very remarkable one. It is divided into two unequal halves: one full of conspicuous service, one passed in absolute obscurity. Like the moon in its second quarter, part of the disc is shining silver and the rest is invisible. Let us put together the notices of him. He bears a name which makes it probable that he was not a Palestinian Jew, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Drawing Nearer to the Storm
'And it came to pass, that, after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: 2. And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. 3. Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. 4. And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Paul in the Temple
'And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him. 28. Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. 29. (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Jerusalem to Rome
Acts 21:17-28:31 THIS JOURNEY Scripture, Acts 21:17-28:31 1. The speech before the Jewish mob in the temple (Acts 22:1-29) in which Paul tells the Jews how he was changed from a persecutor to a believer in Christ. He relates also the story of his conversion. 2. The speech before the Jewish council (Acts 22:30; 23:1-10) in which he creates confusion by raising the question of the resurrection. But the provocation was great for the high-priest had commanded that Paul be smitten …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

Parting.
"What mean ye to weep, and to break mine heart!"--Acts 21:13 "Was macht ihr, dass ihr weinet." [32]Spitta. transl., Sarah Findlater, 1855 What mean ye by this wailing To break my bleeding heart? As if the love that binds us Could alter or depart! Our sweet and holy union Knows neither time nor place; The love that God has planted Is lasting as His grace. Ye clasp these hands at parting, As if no hope could be; While still we stand for ever In blessed unity! Ye gaze, as on a vision Ye never could …
Jane Borthwick—Hymns from the Land of Luther

As Thou Wilt.
"The will of the Lord be done."--Acts 21:14. "Wie Gott will! also will ich sagen." [72]Neumeister. transl., Jane Borthwick, 1858 As Thou wilt, my God! I ever say; What Thou wilt is ever best for me; What have I to do with earthly care, Since to-morrow I may leave with Thee? Lord, Thou knowest, I am not my own, All my hope and help depend on Thee alone. As Thou wilt! still I can believe; Never did the word of promise fail. Faith can hold it fast, and feel it sure, Though temptations cloud and fears …
Jane Borthwick—Hymns from the Land of Luther

The Way to the Kingdom
"The kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." Mark 1:15 These words naturally lead us to consider, First, the nature of true religion, here termed by our Lord, "the kingdom of God," which, saith he, "is at hand;" and, Secondly, the way thereto, which he points out in those words, "Repent ye, and believe the gospel." I. 1. We are, First, to consider the nature of true religion, here termed by our Lord, "the kingdom of God." The same expression the great Apostle uses in his Epistle …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

India as Carey Found It
1793 Tahiti v. Bengal--Carey and Thomas appointed missionaries to Bengal--The farewell at Leicester--John Thomas, first medical missionary--Carey's letter to his father--The Company's "abominable monopoly"--The voyage--Carey's aspirations for world-wide missions--Lands at Calcutta--His description of Bengal in 1793--Contrast presented by Carey to Clive, Hastings, and Cornwallis--The spiritual founder of an Indian Empire of Christian Britain--Bengal and the famine of 1769-70--The Decennial Settlement …
George Smith—The Life of William Carey

Chel. The Court of the Women.
The Court of the Gentiles compassed the Temple and the courts on every side. The same also did Chel, or the Ante-murale. "That space was ten cubits broad, divided from the Court of the Gentiles by a fence, ten hand-breadths high; in which were thirteen breaches, which the kings of Greece had made: but the Jews had again repaired them, and had appointed thirteen adorations answering to them." Maimonides writes: "Inwards" (from the Court of the Gentiles) "was a fence, that encompassed on every side, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Matthew.
Critical. Bernh. Weiss: Das Matthäusevangelium und seine Lucas-Parallelen erklärt. Halle, 1876. Exceedingly elaborate. Edw. Byron Nicholson: The Gospel according to the Hebrews. Its Fragments translated and annotated. Lond., 1879. Exegetical Commentaries on Matthew by Origen, Jerome, Chrysostom, Melanchthon (1523), Fritzsche, De Wette, Alford, Wordsworth, Schegg (R. Cath., 1856-58, 3 vols.), J. A. Alexander, Lange (trsl. and enlarged by Schaff, N. Y., 1864, etc.), James Morison (of Glasgow, …
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Knox in Scotland: Lethington: Mary of Guise: 1555-1556
Meanwhile the Reformer returned to Geneva (April 1555), where Calvin was now supreme. From Geneva, "the den of mine own ease, the rest of quiet study," Knox was dragged, "maist contrarious to mine own judgement," by a summons from Mrs. Bowes. He did not like leaving his "den" to rejoin his betrothed; the lover was not so fervent as the evangelist was cautious. Knox had at that time probably little correspondence with Scotland. He knew that there was no refuge for him in England under Mary Tudor, …
Andrew Lang—John Knox and the Reformation

Chrysostom Evades Election to a Bishopric, and Writes his Work on the Priesthood.
About this time several bishoprics were vacant in Syria, and frequent depositions took place with the changing fortunes of orthodoxy and Arianism, and the interference of the court. The attention of the clergy and the people turned to Chrysostom and his friend Basil as suitable candidates for the episcopal office, although they had not the canonical age of thirty. Chrysostom shrunk from the responsibilities and avoided an election by a pious fraud. He apparently assented to an agreement with Basil …
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood

Whether Since Christ's Passion the Legal Ceremonies Can be Observed Without Committing Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that since Christ's Passion the legal ceremonies can be observed without committing mortal sin. For we must not believe that the apostles committed mortal sin after receiving the Holy Ghost: since by His fulness they were "endued with power from on high" (Lk. 24:49). But the apostles observed the legal ceremonies after the coming of the Holy Ghost: for it is stated (Acts 16:3) that Paul circumcised Timothy: and (Acts 21:26) that Paul, at the advice of James, "took the men, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Grace of the Word of Wisdom and Knowledge is Becoming to Women?
Objection 1: It would seem that the grace of the word of wisdom and knowledge is becoming even to women. For teaching is pertinent to this grace, as stated in the foregoing Article. Now it is becoming to a woman to teach; for it is written (Prov. 4:3,4): "I was an only son in the sight of my mother, and she taught me [*Vulg.: 'I was my father's son, tender, and as an only son in the sight of my mother. And he taught me.']." Therefore this grace is becoming to women. Objection 2: Further, the grace …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

From Antioch to the Destruction of Jerusalem.
Acts 13-28 and all the rest of the New Testament except the epistles of John and Revelation. The Changed Situation. We have now come to a turning point in the whole situation. The center of work has shifted from Jerusalem to Antioch, the capital of the Greek province of Syria, the residence of the Roman governor of the province. We change from the study of the struggles of Christianity in the Jewish world to those it made among heathen people. We no longer study many and various persons and their …
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period

The Letter of the Synod to the Emperor and Empress.
(Labbe and Cossart, Concilia, Tom. VII., col. 577.) To our most religious and most serene princes, Constantine and Irene his mother. Tarasius, the unworthy bishop of your God-protected royal city, new Rome, and all the holy Council which met at the good pleasure of God and upon the command of your Christ-loving majesty in the renowned metropolis of Nice, the second council to assemble in this city. Christ our God (who is the head of the Church) was glorified, most noble princes, when your heart, …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

Sudden Conversions.
"By the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain."--1 Cor. xv. 10. We can hardly conceive that grace, such as that given to the great Apostle who speaks in the text, would have been given in vain; that is, we should not expect that it would have been given, had it been foreseen and designed by the Almighty Giver that it would have been in vain. By which I do not mean, of course, to deny that God's gifts are oftentimes abused and wasted by man, which …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."--Prov. 22:6. I SUPPOSE that most professing Christians are acquainted with the text at the head of this page. The sound of it is probably familiar to your ears, like an old tune. It is likely you have heard it, or read it, talked of it, or quoted it, many a time. Is it not so? But, after all, how little is the substance of this text regarded! The doctrine it contains appears scarcely known, the duty it puts …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

The Epistle to the Hebrews.
I. Commentaries on Hebrews by Chrysostom (d. 407, hermeneia, in 34 Homilies publ. after his death by an Antioch. presbyter, Constantinus); Theodoret (d. 457); Oecumenius (10th cent.); Theophylact (11th cent.); Thomas Aquinas (d. 1274); Erasmus (d. 1536, Annotationes in N. T., with his Greek Test., 1516 and often, and Paraphrasis in N. T., 1522 and often); Card. Cajetanus (Epistolae Pauli, etc., 1531); Calvin (d. 1564, Com. in omnes P. Ep. atque etiam in Ep. ad Hebraeos, 1539 and often, also Halle, …
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Of the Prerogatives which the Elect Shall Enjoy in Heaven.
By reason of this communion with God, the elect in heaven shall have four superexcellent prerogatives:-- 1. They shall have the kingdom of heaven for their inheritance (Matt. xxv.; 1 Pet. i. 4), and they shall be free denizens of the heavenly Jerusalem (Eph. ii. 19; Heb. xii. 22.) St. Paul, by being a free citizen of Rome (Acts xxi. 26), escaped whipping; but they who are once free citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, shall ever be freed from the whips of eternal torments. For this freedom was bought …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Positive Side
What is the relation of the Law (the Ten Commandments) to Christians? In our previous chapter we pointed out how that three radically different answers have been returned to this question. The first, that sinners become saints by obeying the Law. This is Legalism pure and simple. It is heresy of the most dangerous kind. All who really believe and act on it as the ground of their acceptance by God, will perish eternally. Second, others say that the Law is not binding on Christians because it has been …
Arthur W. Pink—The Law and the Saint

Paul's Journeys Acts 13:1-38:31
On this third journey he was already planning to go to Rome (Acts 19:21) and wrote an epistle to the Romans announcing his coming (Rom. 1:7, 15). +The Chief City+, in which Paul spent most of his time (Acts 19:1, 8, 10), between two and three years upon this journey, was Ephesus in Asia Minor. This city situated midway between the extreme points of his former missionary journeys was a place where Ephesus has been thus described: "It had been one of the early Greek colonies, later the capital …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

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