Acts 19:22
So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
Original Language Analysis
ἀποστείλας
he sent
G649
ἀποστείλας
he sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
1 of 18
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
εἰς
in
G1519
εἰς
in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διακονούντων
of them that ministered
G1247
διακονούντων
of them that ministered
Strong's:
G1247
Word #:
8 of 18
to be an attendant, i.e., wait upon (menially or as a host, friend, or (figuratively) teacher); technically, to act as a christian deacon
αὐτὸς
but he himself
G846
αὐτὸς
but he himself
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸς
but he himself
G846
αὐτὸς
but he himself
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐπέσχεν
stayed
G1907
ἐπέσχεν
stayed
Strong's:
G1907
Word #:
14 of 18
to hold upon, i.e., (by implication) to retain; (by extension) to detain; (with implication, of g3563) to pay attention to
χρόνον
for a season
G5550
χρόνον
for a season
Strong's:
G5550
Word #:
15 of 18
a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from g2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from g0165, which denotes a
εἰς
in
G1519
εἰς
in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
16 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Romans 16:23Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.2 Timothy 4:20Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.Acts 19:10And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.Acts 16:3Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.Acts 13:5And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.Acts 19:29And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.Acts 18:5And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.Acts 16:1Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Historical Context
This occurred near the end of Paul's three-year Ephesian ministry (Acts 20:31), around AD 54-55. Timothy's mission to Macedonia and Corinth addressed problems in the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 4:17). Erastus's civic position demonstrates Christianity's penetration into governmental ranks.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's deployment of ministry teams model effective discipleship and leadership development?
- What does Paul's 'staying in Asia for a season' teach about balancing long-term vision with present responsibilities?
Analysis & Commentary
He sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus—The verb 'ministered' (διακονούντων) describes servant-leadership, the same root as 'deacon.' Timothy appears frequently in Paul's ministry as trusted delegate; Erastus is mentioned in Romans 16:23 as Corinth's city treasurer, showing prominent citizens' conversion. Paul's strategy of sending advance teams prepared regions for his arrival, multiplying ministry impact. He himself stayed in Asia for a season indicates Paul's flexible planning—Spirit-led mission requires both strategic scheduling and adaptable timing. The phrase 'for a season' (χρόνον) proved brief: the Demetrius riot (vv. 23-41) soon ended Paul's Ephesian ministry.