In the letter to the Romans, the apostle wrote, “But now I go to Jerusalem to minister unto the saints, for it bath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem (15; 25, 26)” Three matters are mentioned in this passage; (1) the projected visit to Jerusalem; alms from (2) Macedonia and (3) Achaia.
When the words of the epistle are read in conjunction with the Acts of the Apostles and the letters to the Corinthians, a striking harmony is found.
When the apostle apeared before Felix, he said, “Now, after many years I came to bring alms to my nation and offerings” (Acts 24:17). He did not say who had provided the alms.
2 Corinthians 9:1-4 reads, “Moreover brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia, how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality; for, to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves, praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the minister to the saints.”
1 Corinthians 16:1-4 read “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches in Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come; and when I come, whosoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.” Corinth was the capital of Achaia.
The linking of these passages is completed by the information given in Acts 20:2,3, which reads, “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.
Here are four writings which combine to give us a full picture of the events concerned. The apostle visited Achaia in both his second (A.D. 49-52) and his third (A.D. 53-57) missionary journeys. The return to Jerusalem (the last the apostle made) and the collections described in these passages belong to the third journey and occurred about the same time. Because, in different places and at different times, Luke and Paul wrote what was true, when their writings are brought together, complete harmony is revealed.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One