Overview of the third missionary journey

The third missionary journey is recorded in Acts 18:23-21:17 (from the spring of AD 53 to the spring of AD 56). Initially, Paul set out alone. (1) He visited the churches established during the first missionary journey (in the regions of Galatia and Phrygia). The purpose of his visit was to strengthen the disciples. (2) The central location of the third missionary journey is Ephesus. This city becomes the base for spreading the gospel throughout the entire region of Asia Minor. Incidentally, the central location of the second missionary journey was Corinth. (3) Paul serves as an evangelist, teacher, and pastor, and his ministry is accompanied by signs and wonders. (4) Opposition to Paul comes not from the Jews but from the Gentiles. (5) Paul eventually goes up to Jerusalem. In Acts 21:18-28:31, Paul is arrested and taken to Rome.

The beginning of the third missionary journey

“And after spending some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.” (1) Luke does not provide any details about Paul’s activities in Antioch. It is natural to assume that Paul gave a report on his missionary work. After about six months in Antioch, he set out on his third missionary journey. This was in the spring of AD 53, a season when the weather becomes mild. (2) The final destination of this missionary journey is Ephesus. Acts 18:20-21 says, “When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, but took leave of them and said, ‘I will return to you again if God wills,’ and he set sail from Ephesus.” Journey to Ephesus is to fulfill this promise. (3) During the second missionary journey, Paul was supernaturally prohibited from going to Ephesus. This time, he heads to Ephesus alone, without companions. Paul likely expected to reunite with Silas or Timothy along the way. (4) “He left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.” This refers to revisiting the mission fields of the first and second missionary journeys. Specifically, he likely visited towns such as Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch. Paul diligently carried out discipleship training, primarily serving as a teacher. In this manner, he gradually made his way toward Ephesus. There is a time for everything. Previously, Paul was forbidden to go to Ephesus, but now the time had come for Ephesus to become the center of his mission work. Blessed is the one who discerns God’s timing.