Chapter 16

Paul and Silas (this time unquestionably Paul is in charge!) begin the Second of Paul’s “Missionary Journeys”. This one is different in character to the first, in part because it involves several visits to Churches founded on the first journey.

In the ancient world, it seems to have been bad form to openly declare yourself to be the author of a work. This can be a right pain when you’re trying to figure out who was responsible for a particular piece of literature! However, there are a few clues that people can give in intending to tip you off to their identity.

We do know that the author of the book joined Paul in this chapter, perhaps for a short section; tradition says that the author was in fact Paul’s doctor. Certainly the way he writes is meticulous and detailed, as befits a medical person, and he really loves describing healings in great detail! So this is quite possibly correct. In any case, this enigmatic person joins Paul after his dream of the Macedonian Man in verse 10.

They put to sea from Troas. This city was once known as Troy, of Wooden Horse fame. I have actually BEEN to this city, and it’s an amazing thing to walk among the ruins there and realize that Paul once walked in that same place! So for me this passage really feels grounded and real – I can easily see the history here.

One little detail I remember from my own history training comes in when you meet this woman Lydia. Now, you’d kind of expect a woman to be in the background of a story from this period. But there’s an exception – in most Greek cities (like Philippi), there was a class of people called “Metics”. Metics were Greeks, but not actually citizens of the local “Polis” (remember that your city also took on the role of your country). Metic women were often willing to work outside of the normal social conventions, and as a result were often quite wealthy business identities. We read that Lydia came from Thyatira, so she was definitely a Metic, and by the sounds of things she had done pretty well for herself.

Paul’s luck continues with regard to his treatment by the local authorities. After a nasty altercation with a demon-possessed slave girl (Paul 1, Demons 0), Paul and Silas are thrown into prison (Demons level the score). Then we have the earthquake, the thunderstruck gaoler being converted, and then the moment that must have seemed so sweet to Paul – being able to wave his Roman citizenship (from birth!) in the faces of his captors!

The chapter ends with very sheepish local magistrates escorting Paul from the prison.

So what do we learn from this?

I think the thing I pick up is a strategic concept. When Paul was trying to build up the Church in this city, he didn’t automatically work within social norms; rather, he looked for the people who were already hooked in to the networks – like Lydia! – and worked with them.
We are called to share the Gospel widely, and we can and should share it with everyone who will listen. Realistically, though, there is certainly a role for using your efforts wisely. It is obviously important to get the maximum return for our efforts. If we take a little time to look around us, like Paul did, we may well find that there is a particular person who is a key to involving ourselves in the network. In such cases, there is absolutely no reason not to be strategic – network leaders will either be working WITH you or AGAINST you, so it’s best to try to get them on your side from the