BIBLICAL REFERENCES FOR GREECE
Achaia (Region)
This Roman province included mainland Greece and the
Peloponnese. Paul made two journeys here (Acts
17:16-18:18 & 20:1-4); Apollos wanted to visit (Acts
18:27).
Amphipolis
A district capital of Macedonia, on the Via Egnatia, the
route used by Paul, Timothy and Silas (Acts 17:1).
Apollonia
Paul and Silas travelled through this town on the Via
Egnatia on their way to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1).
Athens
Paul's brief visit to Athens (Acts 17:10-31) was about
four centuries past Athens' golden age. Philosophers
still came to the stoas (covered porches) to hear novel
ideas. At Athens, Paul entered the world of Greek
philosophies, prompting him to change his style of
missions. Athens remains a window to the golden city of
Pericles.
Berea
Paul and Silas entered Berea (on the Via Egnatia), a
town of Greeks, Jews and Romans. It became a pulpit for
Paul's preaching for three weeks (Acts 17:10-15). Many
Jews believed. Paul left, and Silas and Timothy stayed.
The city was praised for evaluating preaching by
comparing it with the scriptures.
Cenchreae
This port city across the narrow isthmus from Corinth
was the embarkation port for Paul when he sailed after
18 months in Corinth (Acts 18:18). Phoebe was a
deaconess (Rom. 16:1). To avoid delay and danger of
sailing around the Peloponnese, ships were unloaded at
Corinth, and then dragged overland on the diolchos to be
reloaded at Cenchreae, or vice versa.
Chios
Paul sailed to Chios in route to Samos (Acts 20:15). The
island was known for its famous shrine of Cybele, earth
goddess, and was probably the home of Homer.
Corinth
Located at an isthmus of land that connects the
Peloponnese peninsula and Corinth to the mainland of
Greece. Paul laboured here 18 months with Priscilla and
Aquila on his second journey (Acts 18). Paul changed his
basic concept of mission here. He could reach more
people by staying (500,000 regularly) than if he moved.
The modern Corinth Canal (75 ft. wide) links Corinth to
the Aegean and Ionian Sea (Corinthian Gulf).
Cos (Kos)
Paul sailed to the island of Cos after a farewell to the
Ephesian elders (Acts 21:1). It was the birthplace of
Hippocrates (father of modern medicine), and was famous
for its medical school, libray, and Temple of
Asclepios.
Delphi
This ancient city includes the oldest abd most sacred
sanctuary of Greece, and the famous oracle consulted by
people from all over the world. The inscription of
Lucius Junius Gallio, the governor before whom Paul
stood at Corinth, was found in Delphi, indicating his
help to the city. The Sacred Way winds past the Athenian
Treasury to the Temple of Apollo and beyond to the
theatre and stadium.
Macedonia
This Roman province of northern Greece was visited by
Paul during two journeys (Acts 16:8-10, 18:5, 20:1-4).
The Macedonian call came to Paul at Troas (Acts
20:1-4).
Mytilene
Paul's third journey sailed to Mytilene (Acts 20:14).
The port town on the island of Lesbos was the first good
harbour south of the Dardanelles on the Asian side.
Neapolis (Kavala)
Paul sailed from Troas (Acts 16:11) to Neapolis. At this
gateway Paul's team first set foot on Europe.
Patmos
This small barren island was where John the Evangelist
was exiled and where he received the Revelation (Rev.
1:9).
Phoenix (Loutro)
The captain of Paul's ship attempted to reach this
better harbour on Crete to wait out the winter; instead
the ship was wrecked before arriving there (Acts
27:12).
Philippi
Site of Paul's first European sermon. Lydia, a seller of
purple, became Europe's first convert to Christianity
(Acts 16:14). Paul and Silas were imprisoned in the
jail, but later released after an earthquake (Acts
16:16-40).
Rhodes
Paul sailed from Cos to the island of Rhodes, home of
famous philosophers and orators, on his homeward journey
to Jerusalem (Acts 21:1-2).
Samos
Paul sailed to Samos, an island one mile off the coast
of Ionia, Asia Minor, on the way to Jerusalem after his
third journey (Acts 20:15).
Samothrace
The island was the centre for the worship of Poseidon
(god of the sea). Paul stopped briefly on his way from
Troas to Neapolis (Acts 16:11).
Thessalonica
This important port city on the Via Egnatia was the
capital of the Roman province of Macedonia when Paul,
Silas and Timothy visited in 49-50 AD (Acts 17:2). The
city, founded in 315 BC, became very cosmopolitan with a
large Jewish population. Paul preached to the Jews in
the synagogue, and God-fearing Greeks (Acts 17:4).
The
Second Journey of Paul (Acts 15:36-18:22)
Estimated: 2,800 miles.
Acts 17:2 - Paul arrives the synagogue in Thessalonica.
Acts 17:4 - God-fearing Greeks and prominent women.
Acts 17:10 - Paul and Silas depart for Berea at night.
Acts 17:15 - Paul is escorted to Athens.
Acts 17:17 - Paul reasons in Athens' synagogue.
Acts 17:22-31 - Paul addresses the Areopagus meeting.
Acts 17:34 -Dionysius, member of Areopagus, believes.
Acts 18:2 - Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth.
Acts 18:5 - Silas and Timothy arrive from Macedonia.
Acts 18:11 - Paul stays in Corinth for 18 months.
Acts 18:14-17 - The indifference of Gallio.
The Third Journey of
Paul (Acts 18:23-21:8).
Estimated: 2,700 miles.
Acts 19:21 - Paul departs for Macedonia and Achaia.
Acts 20:1 - Paul sets out for Macedonia.
Acts 20:6 - Paul sails from Philippi for Troas.
Acts 20:15 - Paul sails to Mytilene, Samos, Chios.
Acts 21:1-2 - Paul sails from Cos to Rhodes.
* Biblical
References for Turkey are listed at the following page
Paul's Missionary Journeys