Topical Bible: Paul: Waits at Tyre for Seven Days

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The Apostle Paul's journey to Jerusalem, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, includes a significant stop in the city of Tyre. This event is detailed in Acts 21:1-6, where Paul and his companions find themselves in Tyre for a week. This period is marked by fellowship with the local disciples and a poignant moment of prophecy and prayer.

Context and Background

Paul's missionary journeys were characterized by his unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel and strengthening the early Christian communities. As he traveled from Asia Minor towards Jerusalem, Paul was aware of the dangers that awaited him, yet he remained resolute in his mission. Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast, was a strategic stop on his journey.

Biblical Account

In Acts 21:1-6 , the narrative begins with Paul and his companions setting sail from Miletus and eventually arriving in Tyre. The passage states:

"After we had torn ourselves away from them, we set sail and straightway came to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. Finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo. We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. But when our time there was over, we set out on our journey. All the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. After we had said our farewells, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home."

Significance of the Seven Days in Tyre

The seven-day stay in Tyre is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it highlights the interconnectedness of the early Christian communities. Despite the geographical distance, the disciples in Tyre were aware of Paul's mission and the challenges he faced. Their hospitality and concern for Paul demonstrate the unity and love that characterized the early Church.

Secondly, the prophetic warnings given to Paul through the Spirit underscore the tension between divine guidance and human apprehension. The disciples, moved by the Holy Spirit, urged Paul not to proceed to Jerusalem, aware of the impending trials. This moment reflects the complex nature of discerning God's will, where faith and obedience often require courage in the face of adversity.

Prayer and Farewell

The farewell scene on the beach is a poignant moment of communal prayer and support. The entire community, including women and children, accompanied Paul and his companions to the shore. This act of solidarity and prayerful send-off illustrates the deep bonds formed within the body of Christ. The kneeling in prayer signifies a humble submission to God's will and a reliance on His protection and guidance.

Theological Reflections

Paul's time in Tyre serves as a reminder of the importance of Christian fellowship and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers. It also highlights the sacrificial nature of Paul's ministry, as he willingly faced persecution for the sake of the Gospel. The episode in Tyre is a testament to the early Church's commitment to prayer, community, and the mission of spreading the message of Christ, regardless of the cost.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 21:4-7
And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Defence against the Arians.
... old, when they undertook the defence of Paul [478] , fully ... with Councils; and at
last assembled at Tyre; and to ... He waits for no other testimony to prove that ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/defence against the arians.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... they were the servants of Hiram, king of Tyre, and the ... but mean in themselves; for
what is Paul or what ... ones were six, but the highest were seven cubits (1 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... Ay, Paul! ... But I rather believe, that the professors of our days want a due sense
of ... to Samaria, to the country of the Gadarenes, to the coasts of Tyre and Sidon ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... Aye, Paul! ... of God.22 But, I rather believe, that the professors of our days want
a ... to Samaria, to the country of the Gadarenes, to the coasts of Tyre and Sidon ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm