Daily Devotional for Monday, May 12, 2025

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Encouraging the Holy Ones: A Devotional Meditation on Acts 20:2

The Apostle Paul’s Tireless Ministry of Strengthening and Uplifting the Early Churches

“When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece.” — Acts 20:2

Acts 20 stands at the closing section of Paul’s third missionary journey. The apostle is moving steadily toward Jerusalem, fully aware that trials and imprisonment await him (Acts 20:22–23). Yet before departing the Gentile churches where he had labored for years, Paul makes one final journey through Macedonia and Greece to strengthen and encourage the believers.

Acts 20:2 gives a brief, almost understated summary of this critical work: “he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement.” Though concise, this verse reveals the heart of Paul’s ministry and the essential pastoral duty of strengthening the church. Paul understood that Christian growth is not a single event but a lifelong journey that requires continual teaching, exhortation, and personal support.

This verse provides a window into apostolic priorities and offers an enduring pattern for Christian leaders and fellow believers today. Let us now examine Acts 20:2 phrase by phrase to understand what it teaches about the ministry of encouragement and how it applies to the believer’s life in the service of others.

“When he had gone through those regions…”

The chapter opens with Paul having left Ephesus after the riot instigated by the silversmith Demetrius (Acts 19:23–41). He travels through Macedonia, visiting the churches he had previously established in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. Luke describes this travel with the simple phrase, “when he had gone through those regions” (Greek: διελθὼν δὲ τὰ μέρη ἐκεῖνα, dielthōn de ta merē ekeina).

The verb διέρχομαι (dierchomai) means to go through thoroughly, indicating a deliberate and systematic journey. Paul did not rush. He did not bypass smaller congregations. He took the time to visit, connect, and speak personally with these believers.

This speaks to the shepherd’s heart of the apostle. Paul had planted these churches (Acts 16–17), and he now returns to confirm and encourage them. His commitment models a vital truth: pastoral care does not end with conversion. Disciples must be nurtured and stabilized in the faith (Colossians 2:6–7).

“…and had given them much encouragement…”

The central focus of the verse is Paul’s ministry of encouragement. The Greek phrase παρακαλέσας αὐτοὺς λόγῳ πολλῷ (parakalesas autous logō pollō) literally means “he encouraged them with much word.”

The verb παρακαλέω (parakaleō) means to call alongside, to exhort, to comfort, to strengthen. It is the same word Jesus used to describe the Holy Spirit as the Helper or Comforter (John 14:16). In the context of Paul’s ministry, it describes:

Teaching the truth to counter false doctrines
Urging perseverance in trials and persecution
Reminding believers of God’s promises
Strengthening faith through Scripture and personal testimony
Correcting errors with patience and love

The phrase “much encouragement” or “with many words” highlights the abundance and intensity of Paul’s efforts. This was not a brief greeting or casual visit. It was a deliberate, thorough ministry aimed at building up the saints.

Paul knew the difficulties these young churches faced:

Hostility from local authorities and synagogues (Acts 17:5–8)
Internal struggles with sin and division (1 Corinthians 1:10–11)
False teachers infiltrating the assemblies (2 Corinthians 11:13–15)

Therefore, he labored with much word to strengthen them. This encouragement was not merely emotional comfort; it was rooted in doctrinal truth, Scriptural instruction, and Christ-centered exhortation.

“…he came to Greece.”

Paul’s journey through Macedonia ultimately brought him to Greece (Greek: Ἑλλάδα, Hellada), likely referring specifically to Corinth, the chief city of the region. Paul had ministered extensively in Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1–18), and the church there had since experienced multiple challenges.

Paul’s return to Greece signals his continued commitment to every church he had established, regardless of how difficult or immature it had become. The Corinthians, as his letters show, had wrestled with sin, disorder, false apostles, and division. Yet Paul did not abandon them. His arrival there emphasizes the enduring responsibility of spiritual leaders to keep guiding, correcting, and loving the flock entrusted to them.

This brief mention of Paul’s arrival in Greece is not incidental. It illustrates the geographical breadth and spiritual depth of his ministry. From Macedonia to Greece, Paul tirelessly served the churches, setting an example of pastoral perseverance and devotion.

Theological Implications: The Ministry of Encouragement

Acts 20:2 underscores the indispensable role of encouragement within the body of Christ. It teaches that:

Teaching and encouragement must go hand in hand. Sound doctrine (1 Timothy 4:6, 13) must be delivered with pastoral care and applied to the lives of believers.
Encouragement is essential for perseverance. Trials, temptations, and opposition can cause believers to waver. Strengthening one another in the faith helps prevent spiritual collapse (Hebrews 3:13).
Pastoral ministry is personal and relational. Paul did not simply write letters from a distance; he went in person to visit, counsel, and support the churches.
Encouragement requires intentional effort. Paul gave them “much encouragement.” It was not perfunctory or minimal; it was abundant, deliberate, and persistent.

Devotional Application: Are You an Encourager of the Saints?

Are you actively strengthening other believers?
Do you take time to come alongside weaker brothers and sisters to help them persevere in faith?
Do you value both teaching and encouragement?
Do you share Scripture not only to inform but also to uplift and build others up?
Are you patient with struggling believers?
Paul visited even those churches that had failed him. Do you demonstrate the same endurance and love?
Are you using your words to edify?
The church today, like in Paul’s day, desperately needs believers who will speak truth, offer comfort, and encourage others in godly living.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Encouragement

Acts 20:2, though short in words, presents a towering example of Christian ministry. Paul, knowing his time was short, chose not to focus on personal ease or even self-preservation, but on giving “much encouragement” to the churches he had loved and served.

The church today must rediscover the priority of this ministry. Encouragement, grounded in the truth of God’s Word, is what strengthens weary souls, fortifies faith, and helps believers endure to the end (Matthew 24:13).

May we, like Paul, be remembered as those who walked with others, bore their burdens, and spoke the life-giving words of Scripture into their hearts.

“When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece.”

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).