This city (Troas) Paul visited is synonymous with ancient Troy, made famous in Homer’s Epic “Iliad.”
Located on the Aegean Sea, it was easily accessible as Paul is currently determined to go to Jerusalem, an inexplicable desire on his part. (Especially after having been warned of God to “Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.” Acts 22:18, Paul’s own account! By the way, this admonition came while the Apostle was “praying in the Temple!”)
Anyway, Paul’s days at Troas are full of interest!
Luke tells us: “And we came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.” Acts 20:6, these men having sailed from the Macedonian coast. We know of no organized Church at Troas, yet the place had a number of “disciples” who worshipped the Lord! (God has His people nearly everywhere! Even in the heart of many nations that violently oppose the Gospel and the Word of God!)
If Paul is in such a hurry (so much so that he did not even revisit Ephesus, the “crown jewel” of all his Churches in some ways!), WHY did he stay at Troas so long? (Seven days!) Especially since he will go “afoot” further south to Assos, thus not being bound by sailing schedules and ship availability!
He was apparently waiting for the Lord’s Day! I base that conclusion on Acts 20:7 … “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow.”
Maybe his heart yearned to know how many disciples were in the city? Or the quality of their worship? Or perhaps he longed for a good opportunity to preach and exhort them, particularly in this new place? Paul’s team had briefly (no preaching back them, not a single sermon on record) overnighted in Troas, seeking God’s Will. But left immediately (on God’s Behest) to sail into Macedonia! (See Acts 16:8-10 for the history.)
So here we have a clear view of Paul’s behavior on a Sunday … “the first day of the week” … a potential watershed learning experience!
And the Apostle laid his emphasis on what?
PREACHING!
“Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow.” Still (stubbornly) bent on going to Jerusalem, to a certain arrest by the unbelieving authorities there!
Now watch this … “Paul continued his speech until midnight.” No mention of a morning service, by the way! Only an evening gathering! Why?
If the group of Believers there consisted of a lot of slaves, they would all have been required to work all day! The Roman Empire gave no credence (or privilege) to Sunday! Just another day … laborious day!
Maybe that is why they had that evening service, new believers (ex-heathen) pouring into that upper room, after a long day at work!
But what a service they had!
Paul preached until “midnight!”
A lovely Greek noun, “mesonuktion,” blending “mesos” (meaning “middle” or “midst” or “among”) and “nuk” (meaning “night”). Literally, “in the middle of the night!”
Again I assert … Paul preached, extensively!
I plan to write more tomorrow about Troas and Paul and a hitherto unknown young man named Eutychus … but for now (and the “heart” of today’s Lesson) … maximize the idea of PREACHING in your mindset!
Go to a Church where you will hear real Bible PREACHING!
Sit under the ministry of a man of God who believes in PREACHING!
Recall regularly that God has chosen to disseminate His Word through PREACHING!
Don’t let a week go by in your Christian life .. without some good PREACHING!
Oh, read me that verse again please … “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul PREACHED unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his SPEECH (logos = words) until MIDNIGHT.” Acts 20:7
The same Paul who taught his students to … “PREACH THE WORD; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 timothy 4:2
What more could be said?
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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