Paul’s Second Missionary Journey is generally dated to approximately A.D. 49–52 and is recorded primarily in Acts 15:36–18:22. This journey began shortly after the Jerusalem Council and marked the expansion of the gospel into Europe for the first time.

General Timeline of Paul’s Second Missionary Journey

• Departure from Antioch of Syria: ~A.D. 49–50
• Strengthening churches in Asia Minor: ~A.D. 50
• Vision of the Macedonian man and entry into Europe: ~A.D. 50
• Ministry in Macedonia and Greece: ~A.D. 50–52
• Extended stay in Corinth: ~A.D. 50–52
• Return through Ephesus and Jerusalem to Antioch: ~A.D. 52

Major Stops on the Journey

Departure and Asia Minor

• Antioch of Syria – Sending church
• Syria and Cilicia – Strengthening churches
• Derbe
• Lystra – Timothy joins the team
• Phrygia and Galatia
• Troas – Vision of the Macedonian man

Macedonia (Europe)

• Philippi
• Lydia converted and baptized
• Philippian jailer converted
• Paul and Silas imprisoned and miraculously released
• Thessalonica
• Many Jews and Greeks believe
• Mob forms at Jason's house
• Berea
• Bereans search the Scriptures daily
• Many believe

Greece (Achaia)

• Athens
• Mars Hill (Areopagus) sermon
• Proclamation of the "Unknown God"
• Corinth
• Ministry with Aquila and Priscilla
• Eighteen-month stay
• Significant church established

Return Trip

• Cenchrea
• Ephesus (brief stop)
• Caesarea
• Jerusalem
• Antioch of Syria

Did Paul Write Any Epistles During the Second Missionary Journey?

Yes — Most Likely Two Epistles

Most evangelical and orthodox scholars believe Paul wrote:

• 1 Thessalonians
• Written from Corinth
• Approximately A.D. 50–51
• One of Paul's earliest New Testament letters
• 2 Thessalonians
• Written from Corinth
• Approximately A.D. 51–52
• Written shortly after 1 Thessalonians

Recipients:

These letters were written to the church Paul founded in:

• Thessalonica

Significance of the Journey

• First recorded spread of the gospel into Europe
• Timothy joins Paul's missionary team
• Churches established in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth
• The gospel reaches major cultural and commercial centers of the Roman Empire
• Produced Paul's earliest surviving New Testament letters
• Demonstrated God's guidance through the Macedonian vision and the leading of the Holy Spirit
• Laid the groundwork for future ministry in Greece and Asia Minor

From the perspective of Acts, the Second Missionary Journey marks a major turning point as the gospel moves decisively from Asia into Europe, fulfilling Christ's commission to be His witnesses "to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8).