Acts 20:1

"And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia"After the uproar ceased": After the riot described in Acts 19:29-41. "Took leave of them": "His helpers could stay behind and carry on the work without the terrific opposition all the Christians would have had if Paul had continued in their midst. Those helpers can continue to go through the 'great and effectual door' (1 Corinthians 16:8) even if for him it was closing" (Reese p. 726). Paul was not trying to end his life as soon as possible. He realized that his continued presence in. community could hinder the work there. The work could continue in Ephesus by the Christians in that city and he could always preach in places that desperately needed him. "Departed to go into Macedonia": Consider the brevity of the Bible, because from other Scriptures we learn that. tremendous amount of activity was happening in this brief statement. From Ephesus Paul had already written the First Corinthian letter (1 Corinthians 16:8). Titus had been sent to Corinth to see how the Corinthians were reacting to that letter (2 Corinthians 7:5). Evidently, the plan was to meet Titus in Troas (north of Ephesus), but Paul came to Troas and Titus was not to be found. He was so concerned about the situation in Corinth, that Paul could not even take advantage of the wonderful opportunity that was open in Troas to preach the gospel (2 Corinthians 2:12). Hence, Paul takes. journey similar to the one described in Acts 16:11. as he travels from Troas to Macedonia. In Macedonia Paul finally finds Titus and hears that the Corinthians have reacted favorably to the letter (2 Corinthians 7:9), yet problems still existed in Corinth (2 Corinthians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 10:9 ff; 2 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Corinthians 12:1; 2 Corinthians 13:1). In Macedonia, Paul will write the Second Corinthian letter, which will also serve to give the Corinthians additional time to prepare for the upcoming collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:1; 2 Corinthians 9:1), as well as repent of the wrong attitudes and practices that still existed among some of them.