Macedon during the Peloponnesian War, around 431 BC, and during the early Hellenistic period, around 336 BC, at the death of Phillip II of Macedon. Created by MaryRoseB54. Licensed (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0)
Macedon during the Peloponnesian War, around 431 BC, and during the early Hellenistic period, around 336 BC, at the death of Phillip II of Macedon.
Created by MaryRoseB54. License: CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED (image cropped).

Answers about…
Macedonia in the Bible

also known as: Macedon

Greek: Μακεδονία
Romanized: Makedonija

In New Testament times, Macedonia was a Roman province lying north of Greece. It was governed by a propraetor with the title of proconsul.

Paul was summoned by the Divine vision of the “man of Macedonia” to preach the Gospel there. Thus, Macedonia became the gateway for the Gospel into Europe.

A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” —Acts 16:9

Frequent allusion is made to this event (Acts 18:5; 19:21; 2 Corinthians 1:16; 11:9; Philippians 4:15).

The history of Paul’s first journey through Macedonia is given in detail in Acts 16:10-17:15. At the close of this journey he returned from Corinth to Syria.

He again passed through this country, although the details of the route are not given.

And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, and there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

These going before tarried for us at Troas. And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. —20:1-6 KJV

After many years he probably visited it for a 3rd time (Philippians 2:24; 1 Timothy 1:3).

Who was the 1st Macedonian convert?

The first convert made by Paul in Europe was Lydia, a “seller of purple,” residing in Philippi, the chief city of the eastern division of Macedonia.

And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. —Acts 16:13-15 KJV

Churches of Macedonia

Key Macedonian churches formed in the cities of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. Macedonian believers showed exemplary generosity and faith. Paul reported that believers in Macedonia “were pleased to share with the poor among the saints in Jerusalem” (Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthian 8:1-5). He also mentioned that “for when the brothers came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need” (2 Corinthians 11:9).

More information

Article Version: January 27, 2026