THE TRAVELS OF PAUL

“The apostle Paul wrote much of the New Testament, including the letters to the Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians. Though these books are relatively short, they contain a wealth of wisdom for living as Christ-followers in a fallen world. Read through these three books in a row, and you’ll gain even more as you see a bigger picture emerge. Paul exhorts and encourages the early believers while clarifying central beliefs and practices. His words still resonate today.” – Life lessons from Paul.

The Apostle Paul was the very first missionary. He traveled around the ancient world declaring the Gospel of Christ. God set Paul apart to declare the hope of Christ to the Gentiles: “But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Paul’s missionary journeys are much more than mere dotted lines on rough maps at the back of your Bible. His travels changed the world.

Paul traveled over 10,000 miles proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ before trains, planes, and automobiles. It was not a simple safari by any means; remember that back then, the roads were bumpy, and the oceans were wild. His journeys on land and sea took him primarily through present-day Israel, Syria, Turkey, and Greece. Paul walked the roads built by the Romans to facilitate their control over their Empire.

Why would Paul go so far? Why would he risk his life, time and time again? So many days, weeks, and months in hazardous conditions. In 2 Corinthians 11: 25 – 27, Paul describes some of the dangers of traveling: “Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.  I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.”

Paul’s journeys were hard not only because of the distance but also because of resistance to the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Though groups of believers gathered to hear him, there was often conflict with local political and religious leaders. And yet Paul pushed on. His goal was nothing less than to share in “the full measure of the blessing of Christ.”

Paul was willing to keep going on this journey, risk his life, do prison time, risk his reputation — because preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and encouraging believers was worth it. We are people in need of encouraging words and words of affirmation. It’s part of who we are. We don’t need flattery — we need deep and meaningful connection and genuine encouragement. We need others to come alongside us on the hard days (and easy days!) and say, “You’ve got this. Keep going. You are doing amazing. You can make it. Your talents, contributions, and spiritual gifts are needed.

Discussion Questions:

1. What can we learn from Paul’s travels?  
2. What can we apply to our lives today from Paul’s travels?