Western Turkey (ancient Asia Minor)

Asia

Meaning
The name Asia, of uncertain origin, did not designate the modern continent in the New Testament, but rather a province of the Roman Empire on the western coast of what is now Asia Minor, corresponding to the west of present-day Turkey. Some of the most important churches of the New Testament flourished there, including the seven mentioned in the book of Revelation.
About the place

The Asia of the New Testament was not the continent that bears that name today. It was a province of the Roman Empire, on the western coast of the region now called Asia Minor, corresponding to the west of present-day Turkey.

Its leading city was Ephesus, but the province brought together several prosperous cities linked by Roman roads and maritime trade, among them Smyrna, Pergamum, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

The apostle Paul spent two years teaching in Ephesus, and the book of Acts records that, from there, all who lived in the province heard the word of the Lord.

Churches sprang up throughout the region. Decades later, those same communities received the letters of the book of Revelation, addressed to the seven churches of the province.

The region was also a place of trial for Christians. Paul describes an affliction there so great that he even despaired of life, and later lamented that everyone in the province had deserted him.

Biblical Asia shows how the gospel spread from one city to an entire region, and how faith there was tested by time and by pressure.

Key verses

This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

Acts 19:10

You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

2 Timothy 1:15

John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,

Revelation 1:4

What happened here

The gospel reaches the whole province

During two years of teaching in Ephesus, everyone who lived in the province of Asia, Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.

Acts 19:10

Churches in the province send greetings

Writing to the Corinthians from Ephesus, Paul reports that the churches already spread across the province of Asia send their greetings.

1 Corinthians 16:19

Almost all of Asia turns from idols

The silversmith Demetrius complains that Paul has convinced a great number of people in Ephesus and in almost the whole province to abandon gods made by human hands.

Acts 19:26-27

Paul suffers great hardship in the province

Paul tells the Corinthians of a trouble in the province of Asia so great that he feared for his own life.

2 Corinthians 1:8

Everyone in the province deserts Paul

Now in prison and near the end of his life, Paul laments that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted him, among them Phygelus and Hermogenes.

2 Timothy 1:15

Christ dictates letters to the seven churches

In Revelation, Jesus tells the apostle John to write to seven churches in the province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.

Revelation 1:4,11
Timeline
around AD 52-54

Paul teaches in Ephesus and the gospel reaches the whole province of Asia

around AD 55

Churches already established in the province send greetings to the Corinthians

around AD 55

The uproar in Ephesus shows how far the gospel had already spread across the province

mid-50s AD

Paul suffers great hardship in the province and fears for his life

around AD 64-67

Many believers in the province desert Paul during his final imprisonment

around AD 95

Christ dictates to John letters to the seven churches of the province

People linked to this place
P

Paul

Preached in the province for two years

E

Epaenetus

First convert to Christ in the province

T

Tychicus and Trophimus

Natives of the province who traveled with Paul

P

Phygelus and Hermogenes

Deserted Paul during his imprisonment

J

John (apostle)

Wrote the letters to the seven churches

Books where it appears

Acts

Paul evangelizes the whole province from Ephesus

1 Corinthians

Churches in the province send greetings to the Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Paul tells of great hardship suffered in the province

2 Timothy

Paul laments that believers in the province deserted him

1 Peter

A letter addressed also to believers scattered in the province

Revelation

A book addressed to the seven churches of the province

The place today
The place today

Today the ancient province of Asia corresponds to western Turkey, near the modern cities of İzmir, Manisa, Aydın and Denizli.

The ruins of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea can still be visited, and they draw pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.

Little is left of the vibrant first-century church: few Christians live in the region today, in a modern Turkey that is mostly Muslim.

Just as the seven churches of Asia needed perseverance amid pressure and neglect, the Christians living in this land today also need courage. This nation is worth praying for.

Pray for this nation today: Turquia

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