The apostle had for some time contemplated another missionary journey. He desired again to visit the churches in Macedonia and Achaia, and after spending some time at Corinth, to go to Jerusalem, after which he hoped to preach the gospel at Rome. In pursuance of his plan, he sent Timothy and Erastus before him into Macedonia; but feeling that the cause in Ephesus still demanded his presence, he decided to remain till after Pentecost. An event soon occurred, however, which hastened his departure. {LP 140.3}

I en tid havde apostlen overvejet en anden missionsrejse. Han ønskede at besøge menighederne i Makedonien og Akaia igen, og efter at have brugt nogen tid i Korint, og tage til Jerusalem, håbede han derefter at forkynde evangeliet i Rom. I overensstemmelse med hans plan, sendte han Timotus og Estratus forud sig selv, til Makedonien; men da han følte at værket i Efesus stadig krævede hans tilstedeværelse, ønskede han at blive der til efter pinse. Der skete dog snart noget, som fremskyndede hans afrejse.