Acts 20:4 lists the companions of Paul as he journeys through Macedonia and prepares to return to Asia. This verse comes after Paul has encouraged believers in the region and is heading toward Jerusalem with the collection for the saints. The travel narrative subtly underscores the unity and diversity of Paul’s ministry partners, drawing from different churches and regions — a living portrait of the universal Church.
Structural Analysis
συνείπετο δὲ αὐτῷ ἄχρι τῆς Ἀσίας Σώπατρος Βεροιαῖος,
Θεσσαλονικέων δὲ Ἀρίσταρχος καὶ Σεκοῦνδος,
καὶ Γάϊος Δερβαῖος καὶ Τιμόθεος,
Ἀσιανοὶ δὲ Τυχικὸς καὶ Τρόφιμος.
The main verb συνείπετο (“was accompanying”) governs the whole verse. The dative object αὐτῷ refers to Paul. The list of companions is grouped by geographic origin, with four regional segments: Beroea, Thessalonica, Derbe, and Asia. Each grouping introduces individuals joined in the common mission.
Semantic Nuances
συνείπετο is the imperfect passive (deponent) of συνέπομαι, meaning “to accompany,” “to travel with.” The imperfect tense indicates continuous accompaniment — they were traveling with Paul over time.
ἄχρι τῆς Ἀσίας — “as far as Asia” — sets a geographical limit on the shared journey. In Acts, “Asia” refers to the Roman province in western Asia Minor (modern-day western Turkey), not the continent.
Σώπατρος Βεροιαῖος — Sopater from Beroea — is likely the same as “Sosipater” in Romans 16:21, a fellow Jew and co-laborer.
Θεσσαλονικέων δὲ Ἀρίσταρχος καὶ Σεκοῦνδος — Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica. Aristarchus is mentioned elsewhere (Acts 19:29; 27:2) as a faithful companion of Paul. Secundus is otherwise unknown, but his name (meaning “Second”) may imply servile or freedman status — perhaps signaling the socioeconomic diversity of Paul’s team.
Γάϊος Δερβαῖος — Gaius from Derbe. He may be the same Gaius mentioned in Acts 19:29, though that Gaius is from Macedonia — suggesting either multiple Gaii or varying manuscript traditions.
Τιμόθεος — Timothy, Paul’s close disciple and co-author of several epistles (cf. Philippians, 1–2 Thessalonians). He was from Lystra but often associated with Asia Minor churches.
Ἀσιανοὶ δὲ Τυχικὸς καὶ Τρόφιμος — “And the Asians: Tychicus and Trophimus.” Both men are known coworkers of Paul. Trophimus appears in Acts 21:29 as the one falsely assumed to be brought into the temple, while Tychicus appears in Ephesians 6:21 and Colossians 4:7 as a beloved messenger.
Syntactical Insight
The dative object αὐτῷ ties the whole list to Paul — they are all his travel companions. The imperfect συνείπετο introduces continuity and mission-focused movement. The series of names is joined by καί and δέ, giving the sense of an organized yet diverse band.
The appositional constructions — e.g., Σώπατρος Βεροιαῖος, Γάϊος Δερβαῖος — use place adjectives to define origin and ecclesial context. This adds not only biographical information but theological significance: the Church is expanding beyond Jerusalem.
Historical and Cultural Background
The collection for the poor in Jerusalem (cf. Romans 15:25–27; 1 Corinthians 16:1–4) was one of Paul’s major endeavors. These men likely served as representatives of their respective churches, accompanying the gift to demonstrate unity and accountability. The regional diversity of the group (Macedonia, Galatia, Asia) reflects the transnational character of early Christianity.
Intertextuality
- Romans 16:21: “Sosipater, my kinsman, greets you” — likely the same person as Sopater.
- Colossians 4:7–9: Tychicus and Onesimus are Paul’s messengers — showing his trust in Tychicus.
- Acts 21:29: Trophimus is mentioned again, sparking a riot in Jerusalem — showing his continued presence.
Hermeneutical Reflection
Acts 20:4 is more than a travel itinerary — it’s a theological statement about fellowship, accountability, and diversity in mission. The Greek makes this vivid: the imperfect συνείπετο and the careful apposition of names and places paint a portrait of the Church on the move. These men do not just support Paul — they represent the unity of local churches in the global body of Christ.
The Gospel on the Road
This verse testifies that Paul’s mission was never solo. Σώπατρος, Ἀρίσταρχος, Γάϊος, Τιμόθεος, Τυχικὸς, Τρόφιμος — their names and regions reflect the widening circle of grace. The Greek syntax doesn’t just name them — it binds them to αὐτῷ (“with him”). They traveled, not as fans, but as fellow-workers. And in that journey, the Church itself was being built — one city, one brother, one offering at a time.
