Aq – Paul’s Anxiety in Troas 2: 12-13

Paul’s Anxiety in Troas
2: 12-13

Paul’s anxiety in Troas DIG: Until Titus returned with good news, Paul “could not rest.” What does that reveal about Paul’s concern for his church? What does the phrase “a door had been opened” for him mean? What was the source of Paul’s anxiety? Where was he headed?

REFLECT: When has the Lord brought you full circle back to the place you started ministering so you could finish what you started? When was the last time you couldn’t rest because of a ministry opportunity? What opposition to your ministry are you facing now?

ADONAI does not guarantee emotional peace in our ministry.

With these two verses we now come full circle in Paul’s explanation concerning his change of travel plans (to see link click Al – A Change of Plans). Moreover, these verses also form a wonderfully crafted transition that both opens the way for what follows (2:14-17), and yet anticipates the resumption of the travel narrative (7: 5-16), which both make reference to the apostle coming from Macedonia, to him not having rest, and to Titus. It also addresses his many troubles which have caused some of the Corinthians to question his suitability and qualifications as an apostle.⁷⁹

Now when I went to Troas to proclaim the Good News of the Messiah (2:12a). The full name of Troas was Alexandria the Troas, which distinguished it from other cities named Alexandria. It was located in the province of Mysia near the mouth of the Dardanelles. It was about ten miles from the famous city of Troy, for which it was named. Troas was founded in 300 BC, and Emperor Agustus had granted it the coveted status of a Roman colony. “The Troad” with the definite article may refer to the region of the Troad and not just the city of Troas itself; but since the city was a seaport on the Aegean Sea, it would have been the most likely rendezvous point for Paul to wait for the return of Titus.

And then a door of opportunity had been opened for me [in Macedonia] by the Lord (2:12b). The word and (Greek: kai) can be considered a conjunction, as communicating a consecutive event. Read this way, the open door came following Paul’s arrival in Troas. The apostle commonly used that phrase to describe ministry opportunities. In First Corinthians 16:8-9 Paul spoke of an open door at Ephesus, “But I will remain in Ephesus until Shavu’ot, because a great and important door has been opened for my work, and there are many people opposing me.” After returning to their home church at Antioch after their First Missionary Journey, Paul and Barnabas reported what God had done through them, that He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles (Acts 14:27). Paul urged the Colossians to pray that God may open a door for us to proclaim the message about the Messiah (Colossians 4:3).⁸⁰

Paul candidly shared his anxiety: I could not rest because of the opportunity in Macedonia, and because I failed to find my brother Titus (2:13a). Titus had been an important traveling companion and associate of Paul’s, first mentioned in the Jerusalem meeting of Galatians 2:1-3, and as a Greek doubtlessly aided Paul in his many encounters in the Mediterranean world. The apostle was burdened because he didn’t know how the Corinthians had responded to his “severe letter,” and that anxiety was compounded when the days passed with no word from Titus. Could the unexpected delay signal that all had not gone well at Corinth? Had his worst fears been realized and the situation gotten much worse? He didn’t know. Therefore, he was beside himself. We learn later in the letter that the plans of ADONAI overruled, and Paul’s anxiety was transformed into joy (see Bl – The Effects of the Severe Letter).

We do not know why Titus had been delayed in his travel, but it seems obvious that Paul had expected his younger fellow minister, and was disturbed when he did not show up on time. In any case, the apostle’s statement that he could not rest is telling and adds to the overall picture of Paul being anxious over the situation in Corinth. However, it may also be that he was anxious because of the great opportunity to preach the gospel in Macedonia, as suggested by the glowing report of the churches there (see Bn – A Biblical Model for Giving). The opportunity, however, coincided with all kinds of troubles – altercations without and apprehensions within (7:5), as ministry opportunity often does.⁸¹

It is important to understand that the leadership of the Lord and the purposefulness of the gospel ministry are not guarantees of emotional peace. Paul was anxious when Titus did not show up in Troas, and his initial experiences in Macedonia were anything but peaceful (7:5). ADONAI encouraged the apostle when Titus finally showed up, but Second Corinthians shows us a great deal of anxiety on Paul’s part (1:8-9 and 11:27-28 for example). He was not debilitated by it, but he was affected, and driven to deeper dependence on the Lord. Therefore, we should not read a lack of emotional peace as an indication that YHVH has not led us in our ministries. We are sometimes led to difficult places for the sake of the gospel. Anxiety may simply be a normal part of life in such places.⁸²

So Paul left the fellow believers in Troas (Acts 16:8-11) and went on to Macedonia (2:13b). Travel was greatly affected by the seasons of the year. Perhaps winter had set in and closed the seas to travel by ship. Paul knew that if Titus had not arrived by that point, he would need to travel overland. So Paul moved north to Macedonia. Hopefully, the Corinthians would understand why.

As mentioned earlier, Second Corinthians is the most personally revealing of all Paul’s letters, and here is a great example. Paul wasn’t worrying about himself. He was anxious that the Corinthians would not be taken advantage of by the Adversary (2:11-12)! Humanly speaking, it looked like the end of the battle, with the Evil One as the victor. When speaking of his open door in Ephesus, he added: And there are many people opposing me (16:9b). Now that doesn’t fit what most of us think. We believe that when ADONAI opens the door for ministry it’s going to be just smooth sailing. And if we do have any problems or opposition, that must not be God’s will or plan. But Scripture teaches us just the opposite. When ADONAI is at work . . . the Adversary is at work. So when you face opposition from the Evil One in your ministry, know that you are on the right track because you are a threat to him.

Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You that You go with us in all our trials. For God Himself has said: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Thank You that when we have no idea where to turn from the opposition – You have it all figured out. Though You are all knowing and can wipe out anything in Your path – You sometimes allow trials, for it is often thru trials that You receive the greatest glory. Trials are an opportunity for You to show Your wisdom and mighty hand and glorify Your name as the trial is turned into a victory. Yes, you yourselves planned evil against me. God planned it for good (Genesis 50:20).

Though it is hard when we are trying to serve You and injustice comes against us, yet we can still hold tight to Your hand that is holding us and trust You. For You have been my help, My soul clings to You . . . Your right hand upholds me (Psalms 63:8a-9). When David had been anointed king of Isra’el and Sha’ul was trying to kill him, David could have complained, but instead he looked up lovingly to You and chose to focus on his relationship with You as being the source of his joy. Since Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You (Psalms 63:3). Please remind us of the eternal nature of Your loving relationship and that trials soon will be over.  For I consider the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18).

Thank You for the joy of sharing your eternal love with others. Though some may not listen, with eternity on the line, the problems and trials we encounter while sharing about you – are nothing compared to the joy of pleasing such a wonderful and loving Heavenly Father! Your Spirit can use the words we speak to remind and convict sinners so they repent, turn from their sins and have deep peace in loving and serving the Great King of kings! It is a joy to serve You – even in times of trials. In your holy Son’s name and power of resurrection Amen.