Bible Strands
Acts 20:4
Paul was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul travels through Macedonia after avoiding a Jewish plot in Greece, preparing to return toward Syria. He lists the specific companions who are traveling with him through the region.
The words — συνείπετο (suneipeto) literally means “was accompanied by,” denoting the companions who shared Paul’s route. The text names eight travelers from Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, and the province of Asia.
The thread — Several companions reappear in other passages: Aristarchus and Gaius are dragged into a riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:29), Tychicus serves as a faithful messenger (Ephesians 6:21), and Trophimus is later left sick in Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20). These references trace the ongoing ministry partnerships surrounding Paul.
Why it lands — The verse records the logistical reality of apostolic travel by naming the exact men who shared Paul’s journey. It requires the reader to acknowledge the concrete network of coworkers that sustained early mission work.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
Cross-references
- Acts 19:29 Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.
- Ephesians 6:21 Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing.
- 2 Timothy 4:20 Erastus has remained at Corinth, and Trophimus I left sick in Miletus.
- Acts 16:1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where he found a disciple named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father.
- Acts 21:29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
- Colossians 4:7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.
- 2 Timothy 4:12 Tychicus, however, I have sent to Ephesus.
- Titus 3:12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.
- Acts 14:6 they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,
- Colossians 4:10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings, as does Mark the cousin of Barnabas. You have already received instructions about him: If he comes to you, welcome him.