King James Version

What Does Acts 20:4 Mean?

Acts 20:4 in the King James Version says “And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of D... — study this verse from Acts chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

Acts 20:4 · KJV


Context

2

And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation , he came into Greece,

3

And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

4

And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

5

These going before tarried for us at Troas.

6

And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The list of companions - 'Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timotheus, Tychicus, and Trophimus' - shows Paul's team ministry model. Representatives from different churches accompanied the collection. Shared ministry and accountability characterized apostolic work.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

These companions represented churches from Berea, Thessalonica, Derbe, and Asia. They likely guarded the collection for Jerusalem (Romans 15:26).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Paul's team approach teach about shared ministry?
  2. How did diverse representatives serve accountability for the collection?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
συνείπετο1 of 23

there accompanied

G4902

to attend (travel) in company with

δὲ2 of 23

And

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτῷ3 of 23

him

G846

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

ἄχρι4 of 23

into

G891

(of time) until or (of place) up to

τῆς5 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἀσίας6 of 23

Asia

G773

asia, i.e., asia minor, or (usually) only its western shore

Σώπατρος7 of 23

Sopater

G4986

of a safe father; sopatrus, a christian

Βεροιαῖος8 of 23

of Berea

G961

a beroeoean or native of beroea

Θεσσαλονικέων9 of 23

of the Thessalonians

G2331

a thessalonican, i.e., inhabitant of thessalonice

δὲ10 of 23

And

G1161

but, and, etc

Ἀρίσταρχος11 of 23

Aristarchus

G708

best ruling; aristarchus, a macedonian

καὶ12 of 23

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Σεκοῦνδος13 of 23

Secundus

G4580

"second"; secundus, a christian

καὶ14 of 23

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Γάϊος15 of 23

Gaius

G1050

gaius (i.e., caius), a christian

Δερβαῖος16 of 23

of Derbe

G1190

a derbaean or inhabitant of derbe

καὶ17 of 23

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Τιμόθεος18 of 23

Timotheus

G5095

dear to god; timotheus, a christian

Ἀσιανοὶ19 of 23

of Asia

G774

an asian (i.e., asiatic) or an inhabitant of asia

δὲ20 of 23

And

G1161

but, and, etc

Τυχικὸς21 of 23

Tychicus

G5190

fortuitous, i.e., fortunate; tychicus, a christian

καὶ22 of 23

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Τρόφιμος23 of 23

Trophimus

G5161

nutritive; trophimus, a christian


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 20:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 20:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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