Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 20]
phrase could apply only to Sopatros. It is not clear though
probable that Luke means to say that these seven brethren,
delegates of the various churches (2Co 8:19-23) started from
Corinth with Paul. Luke notes the fact that they accompanied
Paul, but the party may really have been made up at Philippi
where Luke himself joined Paul, the rest of the party having gone
on to Troas (20:5f.). These were from Roman provinces that
shared in the collection (Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, Achaia). In
this list three were from Macedonia, Sopater of Beroea,
Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica; two from Galatia, Gaius
of Derbe and Timothy of Lystra; two from Asia, Tychicus and
Trophimus. It is a bit curious that none are named from Achaia.
Had Corinth failed after all (2Co 8; 9) to raise its share of
the collection after such eager pledging? Rackham suggests that
they may have turned their part over directly to Paul. Luke
joined Paul in Philippi and could have handled the money from
Achaia. It was an important event and Paul took the utmost pains
to remove any opportunity for scandal in the handling of the
funds.
20:5 {Were waiting for us in Troas} (\emenon h•m•s en Troiadi\).
Here again we have "us" for the first time since chapter 16 where
Paul was with Luke in Philippi. Had Luke remained all this time
in Philippi? We do not know, but he is with Paul now till Rome is
reached. The seven brethren of verse 4 went on ahead from
Philippi to Troas while Paul remained with Luke in Philippi.
20:6 {After the days of unleavened bread} (\meta tas h•mer•s t•n
azum•n\). Paul was a Jew, though a Christian, and observed the
Jewish feasts, though he protested against Gentiles being forced
to do it (Ga 4:10; Col 2:16). Was Luke a proselyte because he
notes the Jewish feasts as here and in Ac 27:9? He may have
noted them merely because Paul observed them. But this passover
was a year after that in Ephesus when Paul expected to remain
there till Pentecost (1Co 16:8). He was hoping now to reach
Jerusalem by Pentecost (Ac 20:16) as he did. We do not know the
precise year, possibly A.D. 56 or 57. {In five days} (\achri
h•mer•n pente\). Up to five days (cf. Lu 2:37). D has
\pemptaioi\, "fifth day men," a correct gloss. Cf. \deuteraioi\,
second-day men (Ac 28:13). In Ac 16:11 they made the voyage
in two days. Probably adverse winds held them back here. {Seven
days} (\hepta h•meras\). To atone for the short stay in Troas
before (2Co 2:12f.) when Paul was so restless. Now he preaches
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