📖 Biblical Definition
Major Macedonian city on the Via Egnatia (the great Roman highway across Macedonia), about thirty miles southwest of Philippi. Mentioned once in Acts: Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews (Acts 17:1). The text indicates that Paul and Silas, on the second missionary journey, traveled the Via Egnatia from Philippi through Amphipolis (one day's journey) and Apollonia (another day's journey) to Thessalonica (third day) without stopping to preach in the intermediate cities. The reason is not given; possibilities include the absence of a Jewish synagogue (Paul's regular starting-point for mission was the synagogue), the absence of a substantial Jewish or God-fearer community, or simply the strategic decision to push directly to the larger and more strategic Thessalonica. The patriarchal-Reformed reader notes the substance: the Acts geography is precise; the missionary strategy was deliberate; not every city on the route received the gospel-preaching ministry on the outward leg, and the patient strategic choice of where to plant the early churches was made under Spirit-led wisdom. Amphipolis would receive the gospel through later expansion from the established Macedonian churches.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Major Macedonian city on Via Egnatia about 30 miles southwest of Philippi; Paul passed through on the way to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1) without recorded stopping.
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AMPHIPOLIS, proper n. (NT place; Greek Amphipolis, around the city) Major Macedonian city on the Via Egnatia, about 30 miles southwest of Philippi. Mentioned once in Acts: Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews (Acts 17:1). Paul and Silas traveled the Via Egnatia from Philippi through Amphipolis (one day's journey) and Apollonia (another) to Thessalonica without stopping to preach in the intermediate cities. Strategic deliberation: not every city received gospel-preaching ministry on the outward leg; the strategic choice of where to plant early churches was made under Spirit-led wisdom.
📖 Key Scripture
Acts 17:1 — "Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews."
Acts 16:9-10 — "And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia."
Romans 15:20 — "Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation."
1 Thessalonians 1:7-8 — "So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
No major postmodern redefinition. The principal recovery is the Pauline strategic deliberation: not every city received the gospel-preaching ministry on the outward leg; strategic choice was Spirit-led.
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Amphipolis as a place name does not undergo lexical corruption. The principal contemporary recovery is the Pauline strategic deliberation reflected in the Acts narrative: Paul did not preach in every city he passed through; he made strategic choices about where to plant churches, focusing on cities with substantial Jewish synagogue presence (his usual starting-point) and on strategically located cities from which the gospel could spread further. Amphipolis was passed through; Thessalonica was the strategic target. The patriarchal-Reformed reader values this strategic wisdom: the missionary's labor is finite; strategic choice under Spirit-led wisdom matters; not every place receives the same missionary attention; the LORD distributes His servants where He wills.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Acts 17:1; Macedonian city on Via Egnatia; Paul passed through without stopping; Pauline strategic deliberation.
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['Greek', 'G295', 'Amphipolis', 'around the city']
['Greek', 'G3588', 'Egnatia', 'Via Egnatia (great Roman highway)']
['Greek', 'G2331', 'Thessalonike', 'Thessalonica']
Usage
"Amphipolis: Macedonian city on Via Egnatia."
"Paul passed through without recorded stopping (Acts 17:1)."
"Pauline strategic deliberation: not every city received gospel-preaching on the outward leg."