We’ve reached the point in Acts where Paul’s great voyage to Rome begins. He, under Roman custody, is being taken to face Caesar himself!
Paul understood/believed that appealing to the then ruling Emperor was his best option, seeing the Jews (Sanhedrin) were so bent on killing him, legally or otherwise.
Acts 27:1 … the journey begins. “And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.”
(Julius deserves a Lesson, really! A “character study” at least. And I may write one concerning him before we’ve completed this analysis of Paul’s voyage to Rome.)
But today … verse 2 is our focus … “And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.” Luke is clearly with Paul at this time, the personal pronoun “we” proving as much.
But there’s another man, too. “Aristarchus,” whose name literally means “good leader” or “best ruler,” not Jewish for sure! Greek to the core!
We’ve all heard of him from time to time, anyone reading Paul very much. But few of us have studied him, I suspect.
He is specifically mentioned different five times in the New Testament. Three times in Acts (19:29 and 20:4 then here in Acts 27:2) plus once in Colossians (4:10) then finally in Philemon (verse 24, that little Epistle having only one so-called “chapter”).
He lived in Thessalonica and was no doubt saved when Paul preached there on his second missionary journey. Acts 20:4 initially tells us this.
Thus he is a Macedonian, that being the “state” in which the “city” of Thessalonica was located. (I am using today’s vocabulary to depict ancient geography!) See Acts 19:29.
And, most importantly to my mind and heart, Aristarchus was with Paul at some of his toughest times! He was no “fair weather” friend!
For example, during the “riot” at Ephesus! A life threatening situation for sure. “And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.” Acts 19:29, a travel companion!
And then when Paul was in jail in Rome, Colossians 4:10. “Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas.” incarcerated right by Paul, not forsaking him either!
And by Philemon 24, this man is Paul’s “fellowlaborer!” Still side by side with the great Apostle!
He lived up to his name, its meaning … didn’t he? “Aristarchus,” a “good man” indeed!
May we too be faithful servants!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
I have a book named “Personalities around Paul.” There were a lot of them! Few any more helpful that “Aristarchus,” I suspect.
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