We quite literally did just that when we stepped onto the Via Egnatia at the Archaeological Site of Philippi. Dr. Quek Tze-Ming, our spiritual guide for the tour, had explained its history and significance during a pre-trip lecture. Originally built to facilitate the movement of Roman troops, the Via Egnatia was an east-west highway through Macedonia that later became a vital trade route. When Paul, Silas, and Timothy landed at Neapolis, they used this Roman road to travel by foot to Philippi and Thessalonica. As for us? Let’s just say we’re not as hardy—we opted for the comfort of an air-conditioned coach.
Via Egnatia, Archaeological Site of Philippi. This section of the Via Egnatia was paved with large rectangular slabs of marble.
Still, as we followed Paul’s route through Greece, we were humbled by his resilience, faithfulness, and perseverance in traversing thousands of miles during his missionary journeys, despite facing numerous hardships and dangers.
As we travelled south from Philippi, moving from one historical site to another, I gained a deeper appreciation of the history, culture, and society of the Greco-Roman era, particularly how they intersected with early Christianity. Each ancient city or temple ruin, each monument or museum artifact, testifies to an advanced civilization marked by remarkable achievements in art, technology, and craftsmanship. At the same time, I reflected on how Paul must have felt, bringing a message from the rural Roman outpost of Judea to the cities of this sophisticated culture of his time.
The Bema at Ancient Corinth. At the height of Jewish opposition against Paul, Acts 18.12 states that, “they brought him before the tribunal (βῆμα, bēma)”. This is thought to be the place where Galliopresided over Paul’s case. (Photo courtesy of QAW)
We know how the Athenians at the agora felt about Paul—they called him a babbler. Yet from Thessalonica to Athens to Corinth, the theme of Paul’s message remained consistent: “explaining and proving that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and rise from the dead” (Acts 17:3). This is the core message of the gospel, and Paul never allowed the complexities of these Greco-Roman cities to overshadow its truth. This struck a chord with me. The Scriptures remain as relevant today in modern Singapore as they were in Paul’s time. Our message to a fast-paced, pluralistic, and post-Christian world must continue to be about Christ’s death and resurrection.
For me, the highlights of the trip were Corinth and Cenchreae. I had visited these cities years ago, but this time I came better prepared, thanks to the pre-trip lectures and readings. They helped me appreciate how the archaeological discoveries at these sites illuminate the references in Acts and 1 & 2 Corinthians.
Terra-cotta body parts, Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth. These were votive offerings to Asclepius, god of medicine and healing. The uniformity of these figures suggest they were made by artisans for sale as offerings. Was Paul’s metaphor of the body (1 Cor 12:14-26) derived from observation of this cultural-religious practice? (Photo courtesy of BTJS)
In Corinth, I could see connections to the synagogues and temples, Paul’s trade as a tentmaker, the diversity within the Corinthian church, the issue of eating meat offered to idols, athletic imagery, the metaphor of the body, lawsuits among believers and even names in the biblical text that affirm the historicity of the biblical narratives.
At Cenchreae, standing at the ancient harbour and looking out toward the Aegean Sea, I could picture Paul—his heart full of thanksgiving and joy—concluding his second missionary journey as he prepared to return to Jerusalem and Antioch. One group member put it beautifully: “Standing where Paul stood, looking at the same mountains and seas, added a new dimension and depth to (understanding) Scriptures.”
Ancient harbour of Cenchreae at Kechries, Corinth, Greece. It was a port to access the Aegean Sea, Asia Minor and the Levant. Paul shaved his head here because of a vow, before returning to Antioch via Ephesus and Jerusalem (Acts 18:18-20).
The 12 days we spent together as a group of 27 fellow travellers were truly special. Our diverse backgrounds—different churches, ages ranging from young adults to retirees, friends and strangers, married and single—made it all the more remarkable that we bonded, accommodated one another, and developed meaningful fellowship and friendships. It was a beautiful reminder that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, part of the family of God.
I hope these bonds will continue to grow in the days ahead as we carry forward the shared memories and spiritual insights from our journey.
Written by: Dr Sam Ong Hock Soo
Inspired? We have another upcoming Greece Study Trip!
Join BGST from 29th April – 9th May 2025 as we retrace Paul’s footsteps in Greece and Crete! Imagine reflecting on Paul’s teachings while standing before the awe-inspiring cliffs of Meteora or walking the streets of ancient Athens.
📄View our Online Brochure to learn more: bgst.xyz/greece-brochure
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