Westward to Amphipolis

.... After leaving Philippi, Paul followed the coastline westward to Amphipolis. Here, a new type of ministry lay before him. The men of this city were Gentiles, who seemed not to have a Jewish presence at all. Paul was accustomed to beginning his outreach through a synagogue so this may have given him pause. Yet his vision had shown a Macedonian man, so perhaps an initial effort was made. Paul’s intentions were good but the result were disastrous.

.
.... As Paul preached the gospel, the citizens of Amphipolis became hostile. Arguments ensued. To men with a conscience seared by sin, the gospel was a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and it’s light was a shining beacon to expose them (John 3:20). To turn again to sin’s shadow and to steal themselves away they would deflected this light, and they would do it by questioning Paul's motives unfairly:

.
.... "Why should we listen to you?" they objected. "You’re just like those other Jewish preachers who came here, peddling the word of God! You can’t fool us: your words are a cloak for your greed! You’re just in it for the money!

.
.... "In fact, when you were in Philippi, you took money from them, didn’t you? Can you deny it? You came there, told them how important you were, and made yourself a burden to them. And you found some gullible persons to feed you!

.
.... "Just look at your stripes and bruises! Evidently they had to beat you and chase you out of town! Well, you won’t find us so gullible!" Paul and his companions were stunned. They may even have felt threatened. The preaching of the gospel was hindered, and any further ministry to that city was in vain.