Macedon during the Peloponnesian War, around 431 BC, and during the early Hellenistic period, around 336 BC, at the death of Phillip II of Macedon. Created by MaryRoseB54. Licensed (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0)
Macedon during the Peloponnesian War, around 431 BC, and during the early Hellenistic period, around 336 BC, at the death of Phillip II of Macedon.
Created by MaryRoseB54. License: CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED (image cropped).

About…
Macedonia in the Bible

Greek: Μακεδονία —Romanized: Makedonija

also known as: Macedon

In New Testament times, Macedonia was a Roman province lying north of Greece. It was governed by a propraetor with the title of proconsul.

Paul was summoned by the Divine vision of the “man of Macedonia” to preach the gospel there.

A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” —Acts 16:9

Frequent allusion is made to this event (Acts 18:5; 19:21; 2 Corinthians 1:16; 11:9; Philippians 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 (Philippians 2:24; 1 Timothy 1:3).

The first convert made by Paul in Europe was Lydia, a “seller of purple,” residing in Philippi, the chief city of the eastern division of Macedonia (Acts 16:13-15).

The Apostle Paul reported that believers in Macedonia “were pleased to share with the poor among the saints in Jerusalem” (Romans 15:26). He also mentioned that “for when the brothers came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need” (2 Corinthians 11:9).

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Article Version: March 14, 2024