The Philippian Messenger

.... As news went out from Amphipolis, it spread in two directions: onward to the men of Apollonia, and back again to the Christians of Philippi. The first received it with derision, but the second with great concern—for they knew the gospel and the hope that it held for their countrymen. So taking counsel quickly, they dispatched a messenger to overtake Paul and his companions on the road. And here is the counsel the messenger may have been given them:

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.... "If we’ve heard of this dispute from miles away, in Philippi, be sure that word has spread in the other direction also, to the men of Apollonia. They’ll be watching you when you arrive.

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.... "The Apollonians are a wild folk, without a synagogue of the Jews among them. Like the men of Amphipolis, they’ve always resisted the Lord. Therefore, do not cast your pearls before them, lest they rend you even worse than the first have done. But do this instead, and let our counsel be acceptable to you:

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.... "Pass through the city of the Apollonians, buying the provisions you need with ready money, but saying nothing to them more or less. Thus it shall be, as they lie in wait for your words, that they shall seize on an empty sack.

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.... "For this reason also, word will not spread as quickly to the region beyond them, the Apollonians having nothing certain of which to speak. Meanwhile, for yourselves, you will make a fresh start in another city."

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.... Paul may have answered, "It has been my custom to reason with the Jews in their synagogues on the Sabbath. And indeed, there is a synagogue in Thessalonica. We will pass through Apollonia, therefore, and proceed to the Thessalonians.
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.... "But concerning this matter of receiving: somehow this liberty of ours has become a stumbling block to the Gentiles. Something needs to change. The gospel is the free gift of God, so we must preach it in a way that is openly free in their eyes. Though we are not without Christ’s law in the matter, we must become as the Gentiles that we may gain the Gentiles; we must become all things to all men, that we may by any means gain some.

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.... "Yet we have taken neither gold nor silver nor copper in our money belts; we have almost nothing at hand to buy bread. Perhaps I can find a tentmaker in Thessalonica, partner with them, and earn enough money to meet our needs in that way—for I was formerly a tentmaker by trade."

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.... "Indeed, that would be our counsel as well." responded the messenger, "But when you enter the city, speak with the men of the synagogue so we will know where to find you. And this shall be our own part: we will send support from Philippi to help in meeting your needs along the way. Ask never so much from the Thessalonians, lest word of it travel back again to the Gentiles, to the men of these cities, and the whole country deride you.

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.... "At the beginning of each week we shall lay aside something as God has prospered each one, and the following day we shall send it by the hand of a trusty man: Epaphroditus, whom you know." (Philippians 4:18). "And through this we will share with your ministry, both in giving and receiving."

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.... Paul passed onward to Thessalonica, but was unable to find a tentmaker in that city. Having no coins in their sack, nor other recourse for support, he and his companions did whatever odd jobs they could find, while preaching the gospel in their spare time:

.... "For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you."

(2 Thessalonians 3:7-8)

.... In all of this they took nothing from the Thessalonians – a point on which Paul became very urgent as he recalled his arrival among them. The cloud of suspicion was removed and the Thessalonians saw their sincere motive in preaching the gospel, so they could receive it with a ready mind (1 Thessalonians 2:3-13).