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The text uses participles to convey Luke’s intent: “And having sent into Macedonia two of those ministering to him, Timothy and Erastus, he held up for a time in Asia” (CG).

In the previous verse, Paul had decided it was time to leave Ephesus and head to Jerusalem, but before going there, he wanted to pass through Macedonia and Achaia. After visiting Jerusalem, he then wanted to travel to Rome. In order to prepare for his trip to Macedonia and Achaia, Luke now records, “And having sent into Macedonia two of those ministering to him.”

This is to ensure that things were prepared for him when he would finally leave Ephesus. The matter of an offering being taken to Jerusalem was of great importance to Paul, and he wanted to ensure that nothing would cause it to fail or that the commitments that had been made would not be met. Because of this, he sent “Timothy and Erastus.”

Timothy had already gone through Macedonia as is recorded in Acts 17:14, 15. He was also recorded as being in Corinth with Paul in Acts 18:5. Therefore, he was aware of the terrain and familiar with the people. As for Erastus, it is argued whether this is the same person as noted in Romans 16:23. If so, he is noted as the treasurer of the city. Therefore, as Barnes notes, he was “a very proper person to be sent with Timothy for the purpose of making the collection for the poor at Jerusalem. Paul had wisdom enough to employ a man accustomed to monied transactions in making a collection.” Either way, he is most probably the same Erastus mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:20. As for Paul, after having sent these two ahead of him, it says, “he held up for a time in Asia.”

The word Luke uses, epechó, is seen just five times – all by Luke or Paul. It comes from epi (on, upon, etc.), and echó (have, hold, possess, etc.). Thus, it means to hold fast, hold up, give attention to, etc. For simplicity, most translations say remained, stayed, stopped, etc. In this case, the German word anhalten is a very good equivalent, but there is no single English word that really conveys the exact meaning.

As for Paul staying in Asia and the details about the collection, the traveling of Timothy, and so forth, this is conveyed in his first letter to the Corinthians –

“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 4 But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.
5 Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). 6 And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.
8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
10 And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.
12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.” 1 Corinthians 16:1-12

Concerning his words “and there are many adversaries,” at least a portion of that will be clearly seen in the coming verses of Acts.

Life application: The amount of time and attention that Paul devotes to the issue of the collection for the saints is notable. Acts gives the background information, and the epistles give the instructions, admonitions, and petitions concerning it. It is evident from the detail in this matter, as well as Paul’s careful attention to not being a burden on the churches by working with his own hands, that he truly wanted it to be understood how important it was to not take the matter of other people’s money lightly.

As can be seen in 1 Corinthians 16:3 & 4 above, he even wanted others to be selected to handle the money. That way, he would not be accused of any wrongdoing or mishandling of the money. The reason this is important is because money is a means of expressing people’s time and effort.

If a person is a blue-collar worker, his time and physical effort are represented by the money he is paid. If a person is a white-collar worker, his time and mental effort are represented by the money he makes. If a person is an inventor, the money he receives from the use of his intelligence and skills in inventing represents what he has accomplished. An actor’s abilities are reflected in the money he earns for his acting. And so forth.

To mishandle other people’s money is to mishandle the thing that represents a portion, even a sizable portion, of that person’s life. This is why it is inappropriate for governments to fritter away what they tax from the people. It shows disrespect for those who have put in the effort to produce. Likewise, for a church or those who are responsible for the affairs of the church to have ostentatious displays of wealth demonstrates a lack of care for the time and effort of the people who give for the needs of the church.

Consider this and consider how your own church is run. Does the pastor have a fifty-million-dollar jet? That may sound laughable, but there are those that do. Be wise about where the money your church is given is spent. As noted, Paul was very cautious to do things above board at all times and in all ways, including concerning the money that he was involved in procuring for the needs of others.

Lord God, help each of us to be responsible with the things You have entrusted to us in this life. This includes how the money we have a part in controlling is spent. If there is a party or an individual in government that is prone to wasting the money of others, give us the wisdom to vote them out. If there is a ministry that is not proving successful, may we redirect away from it and use those resources more wisely. Help us to rightly consider such things. Amen.