The ship on which Paul and his companions were to continue their journey, was about to sail, and the brethren hastened on board. The apostle himself, however, chose to take the nearer route by land between Troas and Assos, meeting 392 his companions at the latter city. This gave him a short season for meditation and prayer. The difficulties and dangers connected with his coming visit to Jerusalem, the attitude of the church there toward him and his work, as well as the condition of the churches and the interests of the gospel work in other fields, were subjects of earnest, anxious thought, and he took advantage of this special opportunity to seek God for strength and guidance.

Det skib, på hvilket Paulus og hans ledsagere skulle fortsætte rejsen, var lige ved at sejle og brødrene skyndte sig ombord. Apostlen selv valgte imidlertid at drage den nærmere vej over land mellem Troas og Assus og så møde sine venner i denne sidste by. Herved vandt han en lille tid til eftertanke og bøn. De vanskeligheder og farer, der ventede ham under besøget i Jerusalem, den holdning, menigheden dér indtog overfor ham og hans virksomhed, foruden menighedernes tilstand og alt, hvad der angik evangeliets forkyndelse andre steder, fyldte ham med alvorlige og ængstelige tanker og han benyttede denne særlige lejlighed til at søge Gud for at få kraft og vejledning.