AN important period of Paul's life opens with a third journey through the interior of Asia Minor. In the short stay which he had made at Ephesus on his return from his second journey he had promised to come again to that city if the providence of God should allow it. This promise he was enabled to fulfill after a hasty visit to the metropolis of the Jewish nation, and a longer sojourn in the first metropolis of the Gentile church. It would lead us into long and useless discussions if we were to speculate on the time spent at Antioch, and the details of the apostle's occupation in the scene of his early labors.
It is evident that it was not Paul's only object to proceed with all haste to Ephesus; nor, indeed, is it credible that he could pass through the regions of Cilicia and Lycaonia, Phrygia and Galatia, without remaining to confirm those churches which he had founded himself, and some of which he had visited twice. We are plainly told that his journey was occupied in this work, and the few words which refer to this subject imply a systematic visitation. He would be the more anxious to establish them in the true principles of the gospel in proportion as he was aware of the widely-spreading influence of the Judaizers. Another specific object, not unconnected with the healing of divisions, was before him during the whole of this missionary journey—a collection for the relief of the poor Christians in Judea. We even know the "order which he gave to the churches of Galatia." 1 Cor. 16:1, 2. He directed that each person should lay by in store, on the first day of the week, according as God had prospered him, that the collection should be deliberately made, and prepared for an opportunity of being taken to Jerusalem.
We are not able to state either the exact route which Paul followed, or the names of the companions by whom he was attended. As regards the latter subject, however, two points may be taken for granted—that Silas ceased to be, and that Timotheus continued to be, an associate of the apostle. It is most probable that Silas remained behind in Jerusalem, whence he had first accompanied Barnabas with the apostolic letter, and where, on the first mention of his name, he is said to have held a leading position in the church. He is not again mentioned in connection with the apostle of the Gentiles. The next place in Scripture where his name occurs is in the letter of the apostle of the circumcision (1 Peter 5:12), which is addressed to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. There "Silvanus" is spoken of as one not unknown to the persons addressed, but as a "faithful brother unto them;" by him the letter was sent which "exhorted" the Christians in the north and west of Asia Minor, and "testified that that was the true grace of God wherein they stood;" and the same disciple is seen, on the last mention of his name as on the first, to be co-operating for the welfare of the church both with Peter and Paul.
It may be considered, on the other hand, probable, if not certain, that Timotheus was with the apostle through the whole of this journey. Abundant mention of him is made, both in the Acts and the Epistles, in connection with Paul's stay at Ephesus, and his subsequent movements. Of the other companions who were undoubtedly with him at Ephesus, we cannot say with confidence whether they attended him from Antioch, or joined him afterward at some other point. But Erastus (Acts 19:22) may have remained with him since the time of his first visit to Corinth, and Caius and Aristarchus (Acts 19:29) since the still earlier period of his journey through Macedonia. Perhaps we have stronger reasons for concluding that Titus traveled with Paul and Timotheus through the earlier part of this journey. In the frequent mention which is made of him in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians he appears as the apostle's laborious minister, and as a source of his consolation and support, hardly less strikingly than the disciple whom he had taken on the previous journey from Lystra and Iconium.