What is the contrast between Greece and western Turkey regarding Paul's journeys?
Greece, which was Europe in the New Testament era, still has many valid sites connected to Paul's journeys, such as Philippi and Athens. By contrast, western Turkey, biblical Asia Minor, where Paul started churches like Thyatira and Smyrna, turned away from his gospel; those cities vanished, leaving nothing.
Les explains that Greece was Europe, while Asia Minor was the Asia of the New Testament. Paul had started numerous churches in Asia Minor, including Thyatira, Pergamos, and Smyrna. By the time he was martyred, those believers had evidently turned away from his gospel, though the exact manner is unknown. Les notes the results: none of those little cities remain, but many areas in Greece are still valid. Philippi is still a seaport, Athens is still valid, and though Corinth is not the ancient city, another city sits next to it. Much of Greece still refers to Paul's journeys, but in western Turkey nothing remains; it all faded from the scene.