When the highly charged situation in Ephesus has settled down, Paul decides it is a propitious time to depart. But he does not do so until after he has called the disciples together for some encouragement (parakaleo). Growing out of the basic meaning "to call to one's side," this verb can mean "to appeal to or beseech," "to exhort" or "to comfort." For Paul and Luke, exhortation/encouragement is verbal ministry that by the Spirit's power seeks to strengthen Christians to persevere in the faith in the face of trials, especially persecution (Acts 11:23; 14:22; Rom 12:8). Paul consistently ministered encouragement in the churches, especially when he was about to leave them, when he visited them after an absence or when he could be with them only via letter (Acts 14:22; 15:32; 16:40; compare Eph 4:1). So in his leavetaking from Ephesus (Asia) and in his itineration through Macedonia and Achaia on his way to Jerusalem, Paul speaks many words of encouragement. His three-month stay is probably due to winter, when sea travel was avoided (compare Acts 27:12; 28:11; Tit 3:12).

Paul's example in itself is an encouragement to us, for it challenges us to be encouragers ourselves. It comforts us as well to know that the physical presence of those who brought us to birth in Christ is not essential to our further progress in the Christian life.

As Paul is about to set out on the last leg of his journey to Jerusalem, sailing directly from Achaia to Syria, he encounters a plot of the Jews against him (Acts 20:3; compare 9:24; 23:30). With cunning prudence Paul changes his plans and moves overland back through Achaia and Macedonia. This way he avoids possible harm, even death, as a passenger aboard a vessel crowded with Jewish pilgrims heading to Jerusalem for Passover. He divides his party, sending some—the Asians Tychichus and Trophimus—or possibly all his companions ahead to Troas by ship. After celebrating Christian Easter in Philippi (Passover A.D. 57 was April 7-14) and a five-day sea journey against contrary winds (the normal voyage in this direction is three or four days; Lake and Cadbury 1979:254; contrast 16:11), Paul and Luke rejoin the party at Troas (the "we sections" that left off in Philippi [16:10-17] recommence here at 20:5). Courage and prudence so combined in Paul's life that divine purposes were not thwarted by threatening circumstances (19:21-22). And so it should be with us.