What region does the Bible mean when it says Paul's churches were in Asia?
In Paul's terminology, Asia refers to the western half of Turkey, known as Asia Minor. Scripture calls this region Asia, and it included cities such as Ephesus, Thyatira, Pergamos, Derbe, Lystra, Antioch, and Pisidia, where Paul established congregations. That is the area meant by Asia in the Bible.
Les explains that in Paul's terminology, Asia was the western half of Turkey as we know it, the area where Paul established so many churches. He identifies Ephesus, Thyatira, Pergamos, Derbe, Lystra, Antioch, and Pisidia as all in what Scripture calls Asia or Asia Minor. Paul then writes that all they who are in Asia turned away from him, with Phagellus and Hermogenes as the leaders. Les notes these congregations, founded in Paul's gospel of grace and the knowledge of the mysteries, had turned aside, which he calls heart-wrenching. He also expresses amazement that, but for the grace of God, Christianity would never have gotten off the ground, since it was constantly under satanic attack.