Reference: Macedonia
American
A large country lying north of Greece proper, bounded south by Thessaly and Epirus, east by Thrace and the Aegean sea, west by the Adriatic Sea and Illyria, and north by Dardania and Moesia. Its principal rivers were the Strymon and Axius. Its most celebrated mountains were Olympus and Athos: the former renowned in heathen mythology as the residence of the gods, lying on the confines of Thessaly, and principally within the state; the latter being at the extremity of a promontory which juts out into the Aegean sea, and noted in modern times as the seat of several monasteries, in which are many manuscripts supposed to be valuable. This region is believed to have been peopled by Kittim, Ge 10:4; but little is known of its early history. The Macedonian Empire is traced back some four hundred years before the Famous Philip, under whom, and especially under his son Alexander the Great, it reached the summit of its power. Alexander, B. C. 336-323, at the head of Macedonians and Greeks united, conquered a large part of western and southern Asia. This power was foretold by Daniel, Da 8:3-8, under the symbol of a goat with one horn; and it is worthy of note that ancient Macedonian coins still exist, bearing that national symbol. After the death of Alexander, the power of the Macedonians declined, and they were at length conquered by the Romans under Paulus Emilius, B. C. 168, who divided their country into four districts. The Romans afterwards divided the whole of Greece and Macedonia into two great provinces, which they called Macedonia and Achaia, B. C. 142, Ro 15:26; 2Co 9:2. See GREECE. In the New Testament the name is probably to be taken in this latter sense. Of the cities of Macedonia proper, there are mentioned in the New Testament, Amphipolis, Apollonia, Berea, Neapolis, Philippi, and Thessalonica. This country early received the gospel, A. D. 55, Paul having been summoned to labor there by a supernatural vision, Ac 16:9; 20:1. Its fertile soil is now languishing under the Turkish sway.
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So then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and lo! a ram, standing before the river, and, it, had two horns, - and, the two horns, were high, but, the one, was higher than the other, and, the higher, had come up, last. I saw the ram, pushing strongly westward and northward and southward, so that no wild beast could stand before him, and none could deliver out of his hand, - but he did according to his own pleasure, and shewed himself great. read more. Now, I, was observing, when lo! a he-goat, coming in out of the west, over the face of all the earth, but it meddled not with the earth, - and, the goat, had a conspicuous horn between his eyes. So then he came up to the ram having the two horns, which I had seen, standing before the river, - and ran unto him, in the fury of his strength. Yea I saw him coming close upon the ram, and he was enraged at him, and smote the ram, and brake in pieces both his horns, and there was no strength in the ram to stand before him, - but he cast him down to the ground, and trampled him underfoot, and there was none could deliver the ram out of his power. But, the he-goat, shewed himself very great, - and, when he had become mighty, the great horn, was broken in pieces, and there came up afterwards four, in its stead, towards the four winds of the heavens;
And, a vision, by night, unto Paul appeared: - A man of Macedonia, there was, standing and beseeching him, and saying - Come over into Macedonia, and bring us succour!
But, after the tumult had ceased, Paul, sending for the disciples and exhorting them, took leave, and went forth to be journeying unto Macedonia.
For Macedonia and Achaia have been well-pleased to make a certain fellowship for the destitute of the saints who are in Jerusalem, -
Easton
in New Testament times, was a Roman province lying north of Greece. It was governed by a propraetor with the title of proconsul. Paul was summoned by the vision of the "man of Macedonia" to preach the gospel there (Ac 16:9). Frequent allusion is made to this event (Ac 18:5; 19:21; Ro 15:26; 2Co 1:16; 11:9; Php 4:15). The history of Paul's first journey through Macedonia is given in detail in Ac 16:10-17:15. At the close of this journey he returned from Corinth to Syria. He again passed through this country (Ac 20:1-6), although the details of the route are not given. After many years he probably visited it for a third time (Php 2:24; 1Ti 1:3). The first convert made by Paul in Europe was (Ac 16:13-15) Lydia (q.v.), a "seller of purple," residing in Philippi, the chief city of the eastern division of Macedonia.
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And, a vision, by night, unto Paul appeared: - A man of Macedonia, there was, standing and beseeching him, and saying - Come over into Macedonia, and bring us succour! Now, when, the vision, he had seen, straightway, we sought to go forth unto Macedonia, concluding that God, had summoned us to tell the glad tidings unto them. read more. Setting sail, therefore, from Troas, we ran straight into Samothracia, and, on the morrow, unto New City, and, from thence, unto Philippi, - which, indeed, is the first city of the part of Macedonia - a colony. And we were, in this city, spending certain days; and on the day of rest, we went forth outside the gate, beside a river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, - and, sitting down, we went on to speak unto the women who had come together.
and on the day of rest, we went forth outside the gate, beside a river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, - and, sitting down, we went on to speak unto the women who had come together. And, a certain woman, by name Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, devout towards God, was hearkening, whose heart, the Lord, fully opened, to be giving heed unto the things being spoken by Paul.
And, a certain woman, by name Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, devout towards God, was hearkening, whose heart, the Lord, fully opened, to be giving heed unto the things being spoken by Paul. And, when she was immersed, and her house, she besought us , saying - If ye have judged me to be a believer in the Lord, come into my house, and abide there . And she constrained us.
And, when she was immersed, and her house, she besought us , saying - If ye have judged me to be a believer in the Lord, come into my house, and abide there . And she constrained us. And it came to pass, as we were on our way unto the place of prayer, a certain damsel, having a spirit of Python, met us, - who, indeed, much gain, was presenting unto her masters, by divining. read more. The same, following after Paul and us, kept crying aloud, saying - These men, are servants of the Most High God, - who, indeed, are declaring unto you a way of salvation.
When, however, both Silas and Timothy had come down from Macedonia, Paul began to be urged on in the word, bearing full witness unto the Jews that, Jesus, was, the Christ.
Now, when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in his spirit, going through Macedonia and Achaia, to be journeying unto Jerusalem, saying - After I have been there, Rome also, must I see!
But, after the tumult had ceased, Paul, sending for the disciples and exhorting them, took leave, and went forth to be journeying unto Macedonia. Passing through those parts, however, and exhorting them with much discourse, he came into Greece; read more. and, spending three months, when a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was about to sail to Syria, he determined to turn back through Macedonia. Now there were accompanying him, Sopater, son of Pyrrhus a Beroean; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe and Timothy; and, of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. And, these, came and were waiting for us at Troas. And, we, sailed forth, after the days of unleavened bread, from Philippi, and came unto them in Troas in five days, where we tarried seven days.
For Macedonia and Achaia have been well-pleased to make a certain fellowship for the destitute of the saints who are in Jerusalem, -
Ye know, moreover, even ye, Philippians, - that, in the beginning of the glad-message, when I went forth from Macedonia, not, so much as one assembly, with me had fellowship - in the matter of giving and receiving - save, ye alone, -
Because, in him, were created all things in the heavens and upon the earth, the things seen and the things unseen, whether thrones or lordships or principalities or authorities, - they all, through him and for him, have been created,
but hath manifested in its fitting seasons, even his word, in the proclamation with which entrusted am I - by injunction of our Saviour God:
Fausets
The first country in Europe where Paul preached the gospel, in obedience to the vision of a man of Macedonia, saying "come over and help us." The Haemus (Balkan) range, separating it from Maesia, is on its N.; the Pindus, separating it from Epirus, on the W.; the Cambunian hills S. separating Macedonia from Thessaly; Thrace and the Aegean sea E. There are two great plains, one watered by the Axius entering the sea near Thessalonica, the other by the Strymon which passes near Philippi and empties itself below Amphipolis. Between lies Mount Athos, across the neck of which Paul often travelled with his companions. Philip (from whom Philippi is named) and Alexander were its most famous kings. When Rome conquered it from Perseus, Aemilius Paulus after the battle of Pydna divided it into Macedonia Prima, Secunda, Tertia, and Quarta. Macedonia Prima, the region E. of the Strymon, had Amphipolis as its capital, Macedonia Secunda, the region between the Strymon and Axius, had Thessalonica. Macedonia Tertia, from the Axius to the Peneus, had Pella.
Macedonia Quarta, the remainder, had Pelagonia. In New Testament times the whole of Macedonia, Thessaly, and a district along the Adriatic, was made one province under a proconsul at Thessalonica the capital. The great Ignatian Road joined Philippi and Thessalonica, and led toward Illyricum (Ro 15:19). Philippi had supplanted Amphipolis in importance. Mention of Macedonia in this wide sense occurs Ac 16:9-12; 18:5; 19:21-22,29; 20:1-3; 27:2; Ro 15:26; 1Co 16:5; 2Co 1:16; 2:13; 7:5; 8:1; 9:2,4; 11:9; Php 4:15; 1Th 1:7-8; 4:10; 1Ti 1:3 (which last passage proves Paul accomplished the wish expressed in his first imprisonment, Php 2:24). Achaia S., Illyricum N.W., and Macedonia comprehended the whole region between the Danube and the southernmost point of the Peloponnese.
The Macedonian Christians are highly commended; the Bereans for their readiness in receiving the word, and withal diligence in testing the preached word by the written word (Ac 17:11); the Thessalonians for their "work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus," so that they were "examples" to all others (1Th 1:3,7); the Philippians for their liberal contributions to Paul's sustenance (Php 4:10,14-19; 2Co 9:2; 11:9). Lydia was the first European convert, and women were Paul's first congregation (Ac 16:13-14); so the female element is prominent at Philippi in the epistle to the Philippians as working for Christ (Php 4:2-3). How Christianity, starting from that beginning, has since elevated woman socially throughout Europe!
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And, a vision, by night, unto Paul appeared: - A man of Macedonia, there was, standing and beseeching him, and saying - Come over into Macedonia, and bring us succour! Now, when, the vision, he had seen, straightway, we sought to go forth unto Macedonia, concluding that God, had summoned us to tell the glad tidings unto them. read more. Setting sail, therefore, from Troas, we ran straight into Samothracia, and, on the morrow, unto New City, and, from thence, unto Philippi, - which, indeed, is the first city of the part of Macedonia - a colony. And we were, in this city, spending certain days; and on the day of rest, we went forth outside the gate, beside a river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, - and, sitting down, we went on to speak unto the women who had come together. And, a certain woman, by name Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, devout towards God, was hearkening, whose heart, the Lord, fully opened, to be giving heed unto the things being spoken by Paul.
and, these, were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they welcomed the word with all readiness of mind, daily, searching the Scriptures, - whether these things could be so.
When, however, both Silas and Timothy had come down from Macedonia, Paul began to be urged on in the word, bearing full witness unto the Jews that, Jesus, was, the Christ.
Now, when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in his spirit, going through Macedonia and Achaia, to be journeying unto Jerusalem, saying - After I have been there, Rome also, must I see! And, sending off into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself, held on awhile in Asia.
And the city was filled with the confusion; they rushed also with one accord into the theatre, carrying off with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow-travellers of Paul.
But, after the tumult had ceased, Paul, sending for the disciples and exhorting them, took leave, and went forth to be journeying unto Macedonia. Passing through those parts, however, and exhorting them with much discourse, he came into Greece; read more. and, spending three months, when a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was about to sail to Syria, he determined to turn back through Macedonia.
And, going on board a ship of Adramittium, about to sail unto the places along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, there being with us, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica;
By the power of signs and wonders, by the power of Holy Spirit; so that I, from Jerusalem and in a circuit as far as Illyricum, have fulfilled the glad-message of the Christ, -
For Macedonia and Achaia have been well-pleased to make a certain fellowship for the destitute of the saints who are in Jerusalem, -
Euodia, I exhort, and, Syntche, I exhort, - on the same thing, to be resolved in the Lord: - Yea! I request thee also, true yokefellow, be thou helping together with these women, - who, indeed, in the joyful message, have maintained the combat with me, along with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names, are in the book of life.
Howbeit I have been made to rejoice in the Lord greatly - that, now, at length, ye have flourished in your care for me, - although, indeed, ye were caring, but lacked opportunity.
Nevertheless, nobly, have ye done, in taking fellowship with me in my tribulation. Ye know, moreover, even ye, Philippians, - that, in the beginning of the glad-message, when I went forth from Macedonia, not, so much as one assembly, with me had fellowship - in the matter of giving and receiving - save, ye alone, -
Ye know, moreover, even ye, Philippians, - that, in the beginning of the glad-message, when I went forth from Macedonia, not, so much as one assembly, with me had fellowship - in the matter of giving and receiving - save, ye alone, - That, even in Thessalonica, both once and again, unto my need, ye sent: - read more. Not that I seek after the gift, but I seek after the fruit that is to abound unto your account. But I have all things in full, and have more than enough, I am filled, having welcomed from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, - a fragrance of sweet smell, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing unto God. And, my God, will fill up your every need, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Because, in him, were created all things in the heavens and upon the earth, the things seen and the things unseen, whether thrones or lordships or principalities or authorities, - they all, through him and for him, have been created,
And, as for you - who were, dead, by your offences and by the uncircumcision of your flesh, he hath brought you to life together with him, - having in favour forgiven us all our offences,
Unceasingly, remembering - your work of faith and labour of love and endurance of hope, of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father:
So that ye became an ensample unto all who were coming to the faith, in Macedonia and in Achaia:
but hath manifested in its fitting seasons, even his word, in the proclamation with which entrusted am I - by injunction of our Saviour God:
Hastings
The Macedonians were a part of the Hellenic race who settled early in history in the region round the river Axius at the N. W. corner of the
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and, spending three months, when a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was about to sail to Syria, he determined to turn back through Macedonia. Now there were accompanying him, Sopater, son of Pyrrhus a Beroean; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe and Timothy; and, of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. read more. And, these, came and were waiting for us at Troas. And, we, sailed forth, after the days of unleavened bread, from Philippi, and came unto them in Troas in five days, where we tarried seven days. And, on the first of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul went on to discourse with them, being about to depart on the morrow; and he prolonged his discourse until midnight. Now there were a good many torches in the upper room, where we were gathered together.
Even as I exhorted thee to remain in Ephesus, when I was journeying into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some -
Morish
Macedo'nia
The northern part of Greece as divided by the Romans. It contained the cities of Neapolis, Philippi, Amphipolis, Thessalonica, Apollonia, and Berea. Paul saw in a vision a man of Macedonia, who said, "Come over into Macedonia and help us." To this he at once responded, believing it was a call from the Lord, and thus the gospel extended to Europe. The churches of Macedonia were specially commended for their liberality. Ac 16:9-12; 18:5; 19:21-22,29; 20:1,3; Ro 15:26; 1Co 16:5; 2Co 1:16; 2:13; 7:5; 8:1; 9:2,4; 11:9; Php 4:15; 1Th 1:7-8; 4:10; 1Ti 1:3.
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And, a vision, by night, unto Paul appeared: - A man of Macedonia, there was, standing and beseeching him, and saying - Come over into Macedonia, and bring us succour! Now, when, the vision, he had seen, straightway, we sought to go forth unto Macedonia, concluding that God, had summoned us to tell the glad tidings unto them. read more. Setting sail, therefore, from Troas, we ran straight into Samothracia, and, on the morrow, unto New City, and, from thence, unto Philippi, - which, indeed, is the first city of the part of Macedonia - a colony. And we were, in this city, spending certain days;
When, however, both Silas and Timothy had come down from Macedonia, Paul began to be urged on in the word, bearing full witness unto the Jews that, Jesus, was, the Christ.
Now, when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in his spirit, going through Macedonia and Achaia, to be journeying unto Jerusalem, saying - After I have been there, Rome also, must I see! And, sending off into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself, held on awhile in Asia.
And the city was filled with the confusion; they rushed also with one accord into the theatre, carrying off with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow-travellers of Paul.
But, after the tumult had ceased, Paul, sending for the disciples and exhorting them, took leave, and went forth to be journeying unto Macedonia.
and, spending three months, when a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was about to sail to Syria, he determined to turn back through Macedonia.
For Macedonia and Achaia have been well-pleased to make a certain fellowship for the destitute of the saints who are in Jerusalem, -
Ye know, moreover, even ye, Philippians, - that, in the beginning of the glad-message, when I went forth from Macedonia, not, so much as one assembly, with me had fellowship - in the matter of giving and receiving - save, ye alone, -
Because, in him, were created all things in the heavens and upon the earth, the things seen and the things unseen, whether thrones or lordships or principalities or authorities, - they all, through him and for him, have been created,
And, as for you - who were, dead, by your offences and by the uncircumcision of your flesh, he hath brought you to life together with him, - having in favour forgiven us all our offences,
but hath manifested in its fitting seasons, even his word, in the proclamation with which entrusted am I - by injunction of our Saviour God:
Smith
Macedo'nia
(extended land), a large and celebrated country lying north of Greece, the first part of Europe which received the gospel directly from St. Paul, and an important scene of his subsequent missionary labors and those of his companions. It was bounded by the range of Haemus or the Balkan northward, by the chain of Pindus westward, by the Cambunian hills southward, by which it is separated from Thessaly, an is divided on the east from Thrace by a less definite mountain boundary running southward from Haemus. Of the space thus enclosed, two of the most remarkable physical features are two great plains, one watered by the Axius, which comes to the sea, at the Thermaic Gulf, not far from Thessalonica; the other by the Strymon, which after passing near Philippi, flows out below Amphipolis. Between the mouths of these two rivers a remarkable peninsula projects, dividing itself into three points, on the farthest of which Mount Athos rises nearly into the region of perpetual snow. Across the neck of this peninsula St. Paul travelled more than once with his companions. This general sketch sufficiently describes the Macedonia which was ruled over by Philip and Alexander and which the Romans conquered from Perseas. At first the conquered country was divided by Aemilius Paulus into four districts, but afterward was made one province and centralized under the jurisdiction of a proconsul, who resided at Thessalonica. The character of the Christians of Macedonia is set before us in Scripture in a very favorable light. The candor of the Bereans is highly commented,
the Thessalonians were evidently objects of St. Paul's peculiar affection,
and the Philippians, besides their general freedom from blame, are noted as remarkable for their liberality and self-denial.
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and, these, were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they welcomed the word with all readiness of mind, daily, searching the Scriptures, - whether these things could be so.
For I know your forwardness of mind - of which, in your behalf, I am boasting unto Macedonians, that, Achaia, hath been prepared for a year past, - and, your zeal, hath stirred up the greater number of them.
And, being present with you, and having come short, I was not burdensome to anyone, - for, my deficiency, the brethren, coming from Macedonia, helped to make up; - and, in everything, without burden unto you, I kept, myself - and will keep!
Thus, yearning after you, we could have been well-pleased to impart unto you - not only the glad-message of God, but, our own lives also, - because, very dear to us, had ye become.
Now, we, brethren, having been bereaved away from you, for the season of an hour, - in presence, not in heart, gave more abundant diligence, your face, to behold, with much longing; Wherefore, we desired to come unto you - even, I, Paul, both once and again, - and, Satan, thwarted us. read more. For what shall be our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting? Shall not even, ye, before our Lord Jesus, in his Presence? Ye, in fact, are our glory and joy.
Night and day, making very abundant entreaties, that we may see your face, and fit in the things which are lacking in your faith?
Watsons
MACEDONIA, a kingdom of Greece, having Thrace to the north, Thessaly south, Epirus west, and the AEgean Sea east. Alexander the Great, son of Philip, king of Macedonia, having conquered Asia, and subverted the Persian empire, the name of the Macedonians became very famous throughout the east; and it is often given to the Greeks, the successors of Alexander in the monarchy. In like manner, the name of Greeks is often put for Macedonians, 2 Maccabees 4:36. When the Roman empire was divided, Macedonia fell to the share of the emperor of the east. After it had long continued subject to the Romans, it fell under the power of the Ottoman Turks, who are the present masters of it.
St. Paul was invited by an angel of the Lord, who appeared to him at Troas, to come and preach the Gospel in Macedonia, Ac 16:9. After this vision, the Apostle no longer doubted his divine call to preach the Gospel in Macedonia; and the success that attended his ministry confirmed him in his persuasion. Here he laid the foundation of the churches of Thessalonica and Philippi.
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And, a vision, by night, unto Paul appeared: - A man of Macedonia, there was, standing and beseeching him, and saying - Come over into Macedonia, and bring us succour!