Macedonia

Macedonia, a region in northern Greece where Paul preached the gospel and established churches (Act.16.9-12; 20:1-3).

Macedonia was a region located in northern Greece, which played a significant role in the early spread of Christianity. The apostle Paul received a vision of a man from Macedonia calling him to come and help them (Act.16.9), leading Paul and his companions to travel to Macedonia and preach the gospel there (Act.16.10-12). Paul visited several cities in Macedonia, including Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea (Acts 16-17). He later revisited Macedonia during his third missionary journey (Act.20.1-3). The churches in Macedonia, particularly the Philippians and Thessalonians, were known for their faith, generosity, and support of Paul's ministry (2Co.8.1-5; Php.4.15-16; 1Th.1.7-8). Paul wrote epistles to the Philippians and Thessalonians, which are included in the New Testament. Macedonia is also mentioned in connection with Paul's travel plans (Romans 15:26; 1Co.16.5; 2Co.1.16) and his co-workers, such as Sopater, Aristarchus, and Secundus (Act.19.29; 20:4; 27:2).

In New Testament times, was a Roman province lying north of Greece. It was governed by a propraetor with the title of proconsul. Paul was summoned by the vision of the “man of Macedonia” to preach the gospel there (Acts 16:9). Frequent allusion is made to this event (18:5; 19:21; Rom. 15:26; 2 Cor. 1:16; 11:9; Phil. 4:15). The history of Paul’s first journey through Macedonia is given in detail in Acts 16:10-17:15. At the close of this journey he returned from Corinth to Syria. He again passed through this country (20:1-6), although the details of the route are not given. After many years he probably visited it for a third time (Phil. 2:24; 1 Tim. 1:3). The first convert made by Paul in Europe was (Acts 16:13-15) Lydia (q.v.), a “seller of purple,” residing in Philippi, the chief city of the eastern division of Macedonia.