Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
there accompanied him into Asia—the province of Asia.
Sopater of Berea—The true reading, beyond doubt, is, "Sopater [the son] of Pyrrhus of Berea." Some think this mention of his father was to distinguish him from Sosipater (the same name in fuller form), mentioned in Romans 16:21. But that they were the same person seems more probable.
of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus—(See on Acts 19:29).
and Secundus—of whom nothing else is known.
Gaius of Derbe—Though the Gaius of Acts 19:29 is said to be of "Macedonia," and this one "of Derbe," there is no sufficient reason for supposing them different persons; on the contrary, Romans 16:23 (compare with III John 1:1, where there is hardly any reason to doubt that the same Gaius is addressed) seems to show that though he spent an important part of his Christian life away from his native Derbe, he had latterly retired to some place not very far from it.
and Timotheus—not probably of Derbe, as one might suppose from this verse, but of Lystra (see on Acts 16:1); both being so associated in his early connection with the apostle that the mention of the one in the previous clause would recall the other on the mention of his name.
and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus—The latter was an Ephesian, and probably the former also. They seem to have put themselves, from this time forward, at the apostle's disposal, and to the very last been a great comfort to him (Ephesians 6:21-22; Colossians 4:7-8; Acts 21:29; II Timothy 4:12, II Timothy 4:20). From the mention of the places to which each of these companions belonged, and still more the order in which they occur, we are left to conclude that they were deputies from their respective churches, charged with taking up and bringing on the collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem, first at Berea, next at Thessalonica, then at Philippi [HOWSON], where we gather that our historian himself rejoined the party (from the resumption at Acts 20:5 of the "us," dropped at Acts 16:17), by whom the Philippian collection would naturally be brought on.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Acts 20:4:
Acts 16:1-5
Acts 19:29
Acts 20:1-2
Acts 21:29
Acts 27:2
Romans 16:21
Romans 16:23
1 Corinthians 16:4
Galatians 1:2
Ephesians 6:21
Colossians 4:10
2 Timothy 4:20
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
