This journey of the apostle, beginning at Antioch, led him as far west as Corinth, and then as far east as Jerusalem. It probably occupied about four years, from A.D. 54 to 58, and may be subdivided into two stages. I. The Outward Journey, from Antioch to Corinth, including seven stations. II. The Return Journey, from Corinth to Jerusalem, with fifteen stations. More than half of this period was spent at Ephesus, where Paul preached for nearly three years.
I. The Outward Journey. (Acts 18:23-20:3.)
1. We note Antioch, the starting point for each of Paul's three missionary journeys. This place has been already described, on [page 113], in connection with the map of the Early Apostolic History.
2. His westward course lay through Galatia (Acts 18:23), where he visited the churches planted upon his former tour. But as before, this may refer to the part of Galatia embraced in Lycaonia; and we have thus indicated upon the map by a dotted line. (See [page 121].)
3. Still journeying westward toward the coast, Paul passed through Phrygia (Acts 18:23), already described on [page 118]. No events of this part of the journey are related.
4. He came from the highlands of the interior to Ephesus, where he had touched on his previous journey, and was now to remain longer than at any other place during his active ministry. (Acts 19:1-20:1.) Ephesus was the metropolis of Proconsular Asia, and may be regarded as the third capital of Christianity, as Jerusalem had been its birthplace, and Antioch the centre of its foreign missions. It stood a mile from the Ægean Sea, fronting an artificial harbor, in which met the ships of all lands, and above which rose the Temple of Artemis (Diana), celebrated as the most magnificent building in Asia Minor, though the image which it enshrined was only a shapeless block. Its population was principally Greek, though with a large Oriental mixture. Here a preparation for Paul's labor had been made by Apollos, who had instructed a small company of Jews up to the twilight of John the Baptist's teachings concerning the Messiah. From Paul's friends, Aquila and Priscilla, he had learned the gospel of Christ; and, just before the apostle's arrival, had gone to Corinth. For three months Paul labored in the synagogue with the Jews and inquiring Gentiles; but, when the Jewish opposition endangered the work, he took the step (at this time first in the history of Christianity) of calling the believers in Christ out of the synagogue. Paul remained at Ephesus in all more than two years, working at his trade through the week, while preaching on the Jewish Sabbath. Through his endeavors most of "the Seven Churches," addressed long afterward by John, were founded at this time. Just before Paul's departure a riot arose, and a tumultuous mob occupied the theatre, whose ruins may still be seen. Ephesus is now an utter desolation, haunted by wild beasts. Near its ruins is a small Turkish village, called Ayasalouk. Near the close of his stay at Ephesus, Paul wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians.
5. The next stopping place of the apostle was at Troas. (2 Cor. 2:12, 13.) This is mentioned, not in the Acts, but in the Epistle written soon afterward. Here he had expected to meet his companion Titus, with news from the church at Corinth. While waiting, he found an opportunity for preaching, and success in winning souls. But, as the expected tidings did not come, Paul again took ship, and sailed once more (see the previous journey) from Asia to Europe.