Acts 20:5

KJV

These going before tarried for us at Troas.

KJV (with Strong's)

These {G3778} going before {G4281} tarried {G3306} for us {G2248} at {G1722} Troas {G5174}.

Complete Jewish Bible

These men went on and waited for us in Troas,

Berean Standard Bible

These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas.

American Standard Version

But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 20:5 offers a succinct yet vital detail concerning the logistical movements of Paul and his companions during his third missionary journey, specifically noting that a group of his associates preceded him and Luke to Troas, where they awaited their arrival. This verse quietly highlights the collaborative nature of early apostolic ministry and sets the immediate geographical stage for significant events and teachings that would unfold in Troas.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the enumeration of Paul's traveling companions in [Acts 20:4](/acts/20-4 "Acts 20:4 - Paul's Traveling Companions"), who were accompanying him on his return journey to Jerusalem. The list includes Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus. The phrase "These going before" explicitly refers to this group. The narrative then shifts from a general description of their collective journey to a specific logistical arrangement: this group traveled ahead, while Paul and Luke (indicated by the "us") took a different, presumably slower or more circuitous, route. This verse thus serves as a transitional statement, detailing the separation and subsequent reunion of the missionary team, leading directly into the significant time spent in Troas, which includes the raising of Eutychus and Paul's extended farewell discourse in [Acts 20:7-12](/acts/20-7-12 "Acts 20:7-12 - Eutychus Raised to Life").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's journey was part of a broader effort to deliver a collection from the Gentile churches to the impoverished saints in Jerusalem, a mission frequently mentioned in his epistles (e.g., [Romans 15:25-26](/romans/15-25-26 "Romans 15:25-26 - Collection for Jerusalem Saints") and [1 Corinthians 16:1-4](/1_corinthians/16-1-4 "1 Corinthians 16:1-4 - Instructions for the Collection")). Travel in the ancient world, especially by sea, was subject to weather conditions, available shipping, and various logistical challenges. It was common for groups to split and reconvene at designated points for efficiency or safety. Troas, located on the northwest coast of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), was a strategic port city. It had historical significance as the site of ancient Troy and served as a crucial hub for travel between Asia and Europe. Paul had a history with Troas, having received his pivotal "Macedonian call" vision there (cf. [Acts 16:8-10](/acts/16-8-10 "Acts 16:8-10 - The Macedonian Call")), making it a familiar and important rendezvous point for his team.

* **Key Themes:** This verse subtly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Coordinated Ministry and Teamwork**. Paul rarely operated in isolation; his missionary endeavors were inherently collaborative, relying on a diverse group of companions for support, evangelism, and logistical assistance. This verse exemplifies the practical aspects of such teamwork. Secondly, the re-emergence of the "us" pronoun in "tarried for us" signals the return of the **"We-Sections"**, a distinctive literary feature of Acts (e.g., [Acts 16:10-17](/acts/16-10-17 "Acts 16:10-17 - The First We-Section"), [Acts 21:1-18](/acts/21-1-18 "Acts 21:1-18 - Paul's Journey to Jerusalem"), [Acts 27:1-28:16](/acts/27-1-28-16 "Acts 27:1-28:16 - The Voyage to Rome")). These sections indicate Luke's personal presence with Paul, lending an eyewitness quality and heightened detail to the narrative, thus reinforcing the theme of **Historical Reliability**. Finally, the designation of Troas as a meeting place highlights the theme of **Strategic Planning in Mission**, demonstrating that the early apostles' movements were not haphazard but involved intentional coordination to maximize their effectiveness in spreading the Gospel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **going before (Greek, _proérchomai'_):** From G4281, meaning "to go onward, precede (in place or time)." This verb indicates a deliberate action where the named companions traveled ahead of Paul and Luke. It implies a pre-arranged plan for the group to split and then reconvene, highlighting the logistical precision involved in their extensive missionary journeys.
* **tarried (Greek, _ménō'_):** From G3306, a primary verb meaning "to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)." Here, it signifies that the companions waited patiently at Troas for Paul and Luke to join them. This word conveys a sense of patient expectation and commitment to their shared mission and fellowship, emphasizing the importance of rendezvous points in their travel strategy.
* **us (Greek, _hēmâs'_):** From G2248, the accusative case plural of "I" (ego), meaning "us." The sudden appearance of this first-person plural pronoun is highly significant. It marks the re-entry of Luke, the author of Acts, into Paul's immediate company after a period of absence (since [Acts 16:17](/acts/16-17 "Acts 16:17 - The End of the First We-Section")). This "we-section" provides an eyewitness perspective, lending authenticity and vivid detail to the subsequent narrative.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These going before":** This phrase refers to the specific individuals listed in the preceding verse ([Acts 20:4](/acts/20-4 "Acts 20:4 - Paul's Companions")), namely Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus, and Trophimus. The Greek verb `proérchomai` (to go before) clearly indicates that this group traveled ahead of Paul and Luke, likely by a different route or means, suggesting a pre-planned logistical arrangement for their journey.
* **"tarried for us":** The verb "tarried" (Greek: `ménō`) implies a period of waiting, indicating that the companions arrived at Troas and patiently awaited the arrival of Paul and the narrator (Luke). The crucial "us" signifies Luke's rejoining of Paul's company, marking the resumption of the "we-sections" in Acts and providing a direct, eyewitness account of the subsequent events.
* **"at Troas.":** This specifies the location where the group reunited. Troas was a significant port city on the northwest coast of Asia Minor, a familiar and strategic point for Paul's missionary travels, serving as a vital nexus for travel between the Aegean and the interior of Asia Minor. Its designation here highlights its role as a pre-arranged meeting point for the team.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Acts 20:5 is **Narrative Precision**, characteristic of Luke's meticulous historical writing. Luke, as the author, provides specific, almost logistical, details about travel arrangements, demonstrating a concern for factual accuracy and a desire to present a clear account of the early church's activities. This precision is further amplified by the re-emergence of the **We-Section**, signaled by the pronoun "us." This shift in narration from third-person to first-person plural indicates Luke's personal presence and participation in the events described, lending an eyewitness authority to the narrative. The inclusion of such a seemingly minor detail as who went ahead and who waited underscores Luke's commitment to presenting a comprehensive and reliable historical record, even in the minutiae of missionary travel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 20:5, while seemingly a simple logistical note, subtly reinforces the theological principle of the **communality of Christian ministry**. The early church's mission was never intended to be a solitary endeavor but a collaborative effort, reflecting the diverse gifting and unity of the body of Christ. The strategic coordination and patient waiting demonstrated by Paul's companions highlight the importance of interdependence, shared purpose, and mutual support in advancing God's kingdom. This practical display of teamwork underscores the New Testament's emphasis on believers working together, pooling resources and talents for the common good and the effective spread of the Gospel. It is a testament to the fact that even the mundane details of travel and logistics were imbued with spiritual purpose, contributing to the broader divine plan.

* [Romans 12:4-5](/romans/12-4-5 "Romans 12:4-5 - Many Members, One Body"): Just as a body has many members, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others, emphasizing interdependence in ministry.
* [1 Corinthians 12:4-7](/1_corinthians/12-4-7 "1 Corinthians 12:4-7 - Diversity of Gifts for Common Good"): There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit, for the common good, illustrating the necessity of diverse individuals working together.
* [Philippians 1:27](/philippians/1-27 "Philippians 1:27 - Standing Firm Together"): Paul exhorts believers to stand firm in one spirit, contending as one for the faith of the gospel, reflecting the united front required for effective mission.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 20:5, though brief, offers profound lessons for contemporary Christian life and ministry. It reminds us that effective service for God often requires intentional planning, logistical coordination, and a deep commitment to teamwork. Just as Paul relied on his companions, and they on him, we are called to embrace collaboration within the body of Christ, recognizing that our individual gifts are best utilized when integrated into a collective effort. This verse encourages us to value the "behind-the-scenes" work, the patient waiting, and the diligent planning that often precede significant spiritual breakthroughs. It challenges us to consider how we can better support one another, anticipate needs, and strategically align our efforts to maximize our impact for the Gospel, always prioritizing unity and mutual encouragement over individual ambition. The readiness of Paul's companions to "tarry" for him speaks to a spirit of patience and unwavering commitment to the shared mission, a quality essential for any enduring ministry.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I actively seek collaboration and teamwork in my personal ministry or church involvement, rather than operating in isolation?**
* **How does the example of Paul's companions "tarrying" for him challenge my own patience and willingness to wait for God's timing or for others in a shared endeavor?**
* **What practical steps can I take to be more intentional and strategic in planning for ministry or service, recognizing that even logistical details contribute to spiritual effectiveness?**

### FAQ

**Why did "these" companions go before Paul and Luke?**
Answer: The text doesn't explicitly state the reason, but it was likely a practical logistical arrangement. Travel in the ancient world, especially by sea, could be unpredictable. It was common for groups to split and reconvene at designated points to optimize travel time, secure passage on different ships, or manage resources. By sending some ahead, they might have ensured that accommodations or onward travel arrangements were ready for the entire group upon Paul and Luke's arrival. This highlights the strategic planning involved in their extensive missionary journeys.

**What is the significance of the "us" in this verse?**
Answer: The inclusion of "us" is highly significant because it marks the re-entry of Luke, the author of Acts, into Paul's immediate traveling party. These sections, known as the "we-sections" (e.g., [Acts 16:10-17](/acts/16-10-17 "Acts 16:10-17 - The First We-Section"), [Acts 21:1-18](/acts/21-1-18 "Acts 21:1-18 - Paul's Journey to Jerusalem"), [Acts 27:1-28:16](/acts/27-1-28-16 "Acts 27:1-28:16 - The Voyage to Rome")), indicate that Luke was an eyewitness to the events he describes. This personal presence lends a strong sense of authenticity, detail, and historical reliability to the narrative, providing a firsthand account of Paul's ministry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Though Acts 20:5 is a logistical detail, it finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the broader narrative of the Great Commission and the nature of the Body of Christ. The coordinated movements and teamwork of Paul and his companions reflect the unified purpose of the church, which is to carry out the mission entrusted by Christ. Just as Jesus sent out His disciples two by two ([Mark 6:7](/mark/6-7 "Mark 6:7 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve")), demonstrating the power of collaborative ministry, so too the early church understood that the spread of the Gospel required collective effort, diverse gifts, and strategic planning. The patient waiting of the companions at Troas for Paul and Luke mirrors Christ's own patient and strategic preparation of His disciples for their future mission, ensuring they were equipped and united before sending them out ([John 17:20-23](/john/17-20-23 "John 17:20-23 - Jesus' Prayer for Unity")). Ultimately, the entire missionary enterprise, enabled by such practical coordination, was a direct fulfillment of Christ's command to make disciples of all nations ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission")), demonstrating that the church, as Christ's body, works in harmony to extend His kingdom, empowered by His Spirit, until His return ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 16:8

And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

Acts 16:10

And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Acts 16:11

Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next [day] to Neapolis;

2 Timothy 4:13

The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring [with thee], and the books, [but] especially the parchments.

2 Corinthians 2:12

¶ Furthermore, when I came to Troas to [preach] Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

Acts 20:6

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.

Acts 20:8

And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.