Act 20:3, 6 | JFB | STEP | 3. And there abode three months —Though the province only is here mentioned, it is the city of CORINTH that is meant, as the province of "Macedonia" ( ) meant the city of Philippi. Some rough work he anticipated on his arrival at Corinth ( ) though he had reason to expect satisfaction on the whole; and as we know there were other churches in Achaia besides that at Corinth ( ), he would have time enough to pay them all a brief visit during the three months of his stay there. This period was rendered further memorable by the despatch of the EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS , written during his stay at Corinth and sent by "Ph be, a servant [deaconess] of the Church at Cenchrea" (see on ), a lady apparently of some standing and substance, who was going thither on private business. (See on and see to Romans). And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria —He had intended to embark, probably at Cenchrea, the eastern harbor of the city, for Palestine, on his route to Jerusalem, the third part of his plan ( ). But having detected some conspiracy against his life by his bitter Jewish enemies as at Damascus ( ) and Jerusalem ( ), he changed his plan and determined "to return" as he had come, "through Macedonia." As he was never more to return to Corinth, so this route would bring him, for the last time, face to face with the attached disciples of Berea, Thessalonica, and Philippi.

Acts 20:3

3. And there abode three months—Though the province only is here mentioned, it is the city of CORINTH that is meant, as the province of "Macedonia" (Ac 20:1) meant the city of Philippi. Some rough work he anticipated on his arrival at Corinth (2Co 10:1-8, 11; 13:1-10) though he had reason to expect satisfaction on the whole; and as we know there were other churches in Achaia besides that at Corinth (2Co 1:1; 11:10), he would have time enough to pay them all a brief visit during the three months of his stay there. This period was rendered further memorable by the despatch of the EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS, written during his stay at Corinth and sent by "Ph be, a servant [deaconess] of the Church at Cenchrea" (see on Ac 18:3), a lady apparently of some standing and substance, who was going thither on private business. (See on Ro 16:1 and see Introduction to Romans).

And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria—He had intended to embark, probably at Cenchrea, the eastern harbor of the city, for Palestine, on his route to Jerusalem, the third part of his plan (Ac 19:21). But having detected some conspiracy against his life by his bitter Jewish enemies as at Damascus (Ac 9:22-25) and Jerusalem (Ac 9:29, 30), he changed his plan and determined "to return" as he had come, "through Macedonia." As he was never more to return to Corinth, so this route would bring him, for the last time, face to face with the attached disciples of Berea, Thessalonica, and Philippi.

Acts 20:6

6. And we sailed . . . from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread—(that is, the Passover). This, compared with 1Co 16:8, shows that the three months spent at Corinth (Ac 20:3) were the winter months.

came . . . to Troas—for the third and last time. (See on Ac 16:8 and Ac 20:1).

in the five days—As it might have been done in two days, the wind must have been adverse. The vivid style of one now present will be here again observed.

where we abode seven days—that is, arriving on a Monday, they stayed over the Jewish sabbath and the Lord's Day following; Paul occupying himself, doubtless, in refreshing and strengthening fellowship with the brethren during the interval.