Acts 16:8, "Passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas," is a simple statement of geographical movement by Paul and his companions during his second missionary journey. Let's break it down:
"Passing by Mysia": Mysia was a region in northwest Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). The phrase "passing by" suggests that Paul and his group travelled through Mysia but likely didn't stop to preach or establish churches there. They were likely headed somewhere else. The Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching in the province of Asia (Acts 16:6) and Bithynia (Acts 16:7), so they were traversing Mysia without specific intention of ministry there.
"They came down to Troas": Troas was a significant port city on the Aegean Sea, located on the coast of Mysia. "Came down" usually implies a descent in elevation or movement towards the coast. Reaching Troas was important because it was a key point for sea travel. From Troas, they could travel to Europe.
In Summary:
The verse means that Paul and his traveling companions (likely including Silas and Timothy) journeyed through the region of Mysia and eventually arrived in the coastal city of Troas. This was a crucial step in their journey as it positioned them strategically for a potential voyage to Macedonia (Greece), which is what happens next after Paul's vision.
The verse, while seemingly straightforward, is important because it sets the stage for a major turning point in Paul's missionary work: the call to preach the Gospel in Europe. It highlights that even when seemingly just "passing through," God is guiding their steps, leading them to new opportunities.
Acts 16:8, "Passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas," is a simple statement of geographical movement by Paul and his companions during his second missionary journey. Let's break it down:
"Passing by Mysia": Mysia was a region in northwest Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). The phrase "passing by" suggests that Paul and his group travelled through Mysia but likely didn't stop to preach or establish churches there. They were likely headed somewhere else. The Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching in the province of Asia (Acts 16:6) and Bithynia (Acts 16:7), so they were traversing Mysia without specific intention of ministry there.
"They came down to Troas": Troas was a significant port city on the Aegean Sea, located on the coast of Mysia. "Came down" usually implies a descent in elevation or movement towards the coast. Reaching Troas was important because it was a key point for sea travel. From Troas, they could travel to Europe.
In Summary:
The verse means that Paul and his traveling companions (likely including Silas and Timothy) journeyed through the region of Mysia and eventually arrived in the coastal city of Troas. This was a crucial step in their journey as it positioned them strategically for a potential voyage to Macedonia (Greece), which is what happens next after Paul's vision.
The verse, while seemingly straightforward, is important because it sets the stage for a major turning point in Paul's missionary work: the call to preach the Gospel in Europe. It highlights that even when seemingly just "passing through," God is guiding their steps, leading them to new opportunities.