God’s Word for You
Acts 16:11-12 The trip to Philippi
by Pastor Timothy Smith on Thursday, September 24, 2020
11 We set sail from Troas and set a direct course for Samothrace. The next day we made for Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in that city several days.
From Troas on the northwest coast of Asia Minor, the course for Samothrace would have taken the ship first to the island of Imbros (modern Gökçeada) about twenty miles northwest. When Luke says, “set a direct course” he means that the wind was on the ship’s quarter (blowing from behind and to one side, ideal for sailing) so that they would not need to tack or change course in order to catch the wind (see also Acts 13:13 and 27:4).
Modern shipping and tourist routes pass Imbros, a large island, to the east. From the lee of Imbros, Samothrace is another twenty miles north-northwest. The island is dominated by a huge mountain that makes it visible for many miles. At four knots (a little over four miles per hour, which would be a good speed for an ancient sailing ship) the voyage would have taken most or all of a day.
The run in to the Greek coast would have taken their ship past the round island of Thasos. Passing Thasos to the northeast, it was about ten miles inshore to Neapolis (modern Kavala). There has probably always been a good road from Neapolis northwest to Philippi, about ten miles further inland on the Gangites (modern Angista) River.
Paul and his companions were carrying out the Great Commission of Jesus, “Go and make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching them” (Matthew 28:19-20). They were eager to physically go and carry out the work. The church still has this commission, but not every Christian is commissioned to do this. You might have a responsibility to stay right there at home to look after your family, or you have work that’s important and vital. Doctors and nurses have their patients, teachers have their classes, parents have their children. Do what you can to support the church’s mission. Pray that you may speak clearly when someone has a question. And I will ask the same thing Paul asked (Colossians 4:4): “Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith
Pastor Smith serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm, Minnesota. To receive God’s Word for You via e-mail, please visit the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church website.