Macedonia

In the Bible

During his second missionary journey, Paul came to Troas after the Holy Spirit forbade him to preach the word in Asia. There, in the night, he saw a vision of a man of Macedonia pleading with him, "Come over into Macedonia, and help us" (Acts 16:9-10). Paul and his companions sailed across and arrived at Philippi, "the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony" (Acts 16:11-12). They went on to preach the gospel in Thessalonica and Berea (Acts 17:1-15). The conversions of Lydia and the Philippian jailer at Philippi also took place during this journey.

On his third missionary journey, Paul again passed through Macedonia (Acts 19:21-22; 20:1-3). The region also appears frequently in his letters:

• The churches of Macedonia gave abundantly despite their deep poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).
• They took part in the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26).
• They supplied Paul's needs (2 Corinthians 11:9; Philippians 4:15-16).
• The church at Thessalonica is described as an example to all who believed in Macedonia and Achaia (1 Thessalonians 1:7-8).

Background

Macedonia (Greek Makedonia) lay north of Achaia, the southern region of the Greek mainland. It rose to prominence in the fourth century BC under Philip II and his son Alexander the Great. The city of Philippi took its name from Philip II. Rome conquered Macedonia in the mid-second century BC and made it a province, with Thessalonica as its principal city. The Via Egnatia, a major Roman road, ran through Philippi and Thessalonica and served as a route for Paul's travels. Among Korean Bible translations, the Revised Korean Version (New Revision) renders the name "Magedonya," while the New Korean Standard Version and the Common Translation render it "Makedonia."

Significance in the Whole Bible

The name Macedonia does not appear in the Protestant Old Testament canon; it does appear at the opening of the apocryphal book of 1 Maccabees as Alexander's homeland. The he goat and "the king of Grecia" (Daniel 8:21) in Daniel 8 have traditionally been interpreted as referring to Alexander and the kingdoms that succeeded him. The spread of Hellenistic culture after Alexander forms an important backdrop to the intertestamental period. In the New Testament, Macedonia is portrayed as a prime example of a region in which Gentile churches were founded and grew.

Interpretation and Debated Points

• This event is often described as "the first arrival of the gospel in Europe." The text, however, does not use the word "Europe." Citing, among other things, the presence of visitors from Rome at Pentecost (Acts 2:10), some argue that the expression should be understood merely as a geographical description.
• The text does not identify the man of Macedonia seen in the vision. Because the "we" narration begins in the very next verse, some interpreters connect him with Luke, but this is conjecture.
• Denominations and interpreters read Acts 16:6-10 with different emphases regarding how the guidance of the Holy Spirit and human judgment work together.

In the Korean Church

"The Macedonian call" is a phrase frequently used in sermons and at mission conferences to urge commitment to missions. The account of the Macedonian churches in 2 Corinthians 8 is often cited in sermons on offerings and almsgiving.