Acts 17:14

And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still. But they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy that they should come to him with all speed, they departed.

There is a certain ambiguity in these verses, leading to differences of scholars as to how they should be understood. The words "as to the sea" seem to indicate that this was a feint to foil pursuing enemies; and the fact of Paul's being "conducted and brought" as far as Athens, suggests an overland journey.

Others, however, translate the words "as to the sea" simply "to the sea." "They suppose that Paul embarked at Dium and went by sea to Athens."[24] If that was the case, "The brethren sailed with him all the way to Athens."[25] Either way, the brethren went to considerable expense; and the fact of a sea-voyage requiring only three days to Athens, contrasted with about a month overland, forces the conclusion that they would have gone by sea, if possible. Milligan thought that it was their uncertainty, upon such abrupt notice, about the availability of shipping, that resulted in the ambiguous "as to the sea" phrase used by Luke. He said, "The place of his destination was not determined when he left Berea."[26] In that event, they would also have been ignorant of the means of travel to be used. The decision to go by sea, if that was the way they went, would have been confirmed at once if a ship was available at Dium.

The somewhat different strategy employed by Paul at Thessalonica and Berea in his not waiting until physical violence forced his departure, but moving forward as soon as it was threatened, probably developed from fear that he would be killed by his bitter enemies; and certainly it was protection against that very thing which prompted the brethren to accompany Paul wherever he went.

McGarvey also agreed with the view that the exact destination of Paul and the means of his reaching it had not been fully formulated when they left Berea, and "The decision that he should sail to Athens made it necessary for him to send back word to Silas and Timothy."[27]

J.R. Dummelow traced the movements of Silas and Timothy thus: "As per instructions, they joined Paul in Athens; but, filled with anxiety for the churches, he promptly sent them back, Timothy to Thessalonia and Silas to Philippi."[28] When they returned to Athens, they found Paul had gone on to Corinth, where they rejoined him (Acts 18:5). See 1 Thessalonians 3:1. Hervey concurred in this explanation.[29]

[24] J. R. Dummelow, op. cit., p. 841.

[25] Don DeWelt, Acts Made Actual (Joplin, Missouri: College Press, 1958), p. 236.

[26] Robert Milligan, Analysis of the New Testament (Cincinnati, Ohio: Bosworth, Chase and Hall, Publishers, 1874), p. 376.

[27] J. W. McGarvey, op. cit., p. 116.

[28] J. R. Dummelow, op. cit., p. 841.

[29] A. C. Hervey, The Pulpit Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans, Publishers, 1950), Vol. 18, 2p. 59.