PAUL'S VISION
Key verse: 9
NIV
Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia
6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia(A) and Galatia,(B) having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.(C) 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus(D) would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.(E) 9 During the night Paul had a vision(F) of a man of Macedonia(G) standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we(H) got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel(I) to them.
Cross references
- Acts 16:6 : Ac 2:10; 18:23
- Acts 16:6 : Ac 18:23; Gal 1:2; 3:1
- Acts 16:6 : S Ac 2:9
- Acts 16:7 : Ro 8:9; Gal 4:6; Php 1:19; 1Pe 1:11
- Acts 16:8 : ver 11; Ac 20:5; 2Co 2:12; 2Ti 4:13
- Acts 16:9 : S Ac 9:10
- Acts 16:9 : Ac 19:21, 29; 20:1, 3; Ro 15:26; 1Co 16:5; 1Th 1:7, 8
- Acts 16:10 : ver 10-17; Ac 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-28:16
- Acts 16:10 : Ac 14:7
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
The Macedonian Call
6 And (A)they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but (B)the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down (C)to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul[a] had seen the vision, immediately (D)we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Acts 16:10 Greek he
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. God closes doors (6,7)
Paul thought about going into the populous and more advanced region of Asia Minor. Perhaps he had his eye on Ephesus. But he was kept by the Holy Spirit from going to Asia. He turned north and tried to enter Bithynia, but again, Jesus' Spirit stopped him. So, he went to Troas. When God closes one door, he opens another.
2. The man from Macedonia (8-10)
In Troas, Luke evidently joined the journey team, because he begins to say 'we' (10). Troas was the last stop before entering Europe. Perhaps Paul had not really planned to cross the Aegean Sea and enter Europe, but that night he had a vision of a man from Macedonia begging him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' He accepted this as God's direction and went through the open door. This decision changed the course of Western history.
Prayer: Lord, help me not to worry about closed doors, but to look for your leading and follow it. Give me courage to go through the doors you open.
One Word: 'Come over and help us.'
